Herb grow guides
Herbs guides
Agrimony
How to grow agrimony in Australia from seed: chilling the burrs, sowing months for six climate zones, sun and soil, cutting back, harvest, history and safety.
| Position | Full sun, light shade tolerated |
|---|---|
| Depth | 5 mm |
| Spacing | 30 cm apart |
| First pick | Summer; 12 to 18 weeks from spring sowing |
Angelica
How to grow angelica in Australia from seed: fresh or chilled seed sown on the surface, part shade, months for six climate zones, stems, history and safety.
| Position | Part shade, morning sun |
|---|---|
| Depth | Surface; press in, uncovered |
| Spacing | 50 to 90 cm |
| First pick | Stems at about 18 months |
Anise Hyssop
How to grow anise hyssop in Australia from seed: surface sowing, free-draining soil, sowing months for six zones, cutting back, and picking leaves and flowers.
| Position | Full sun or light shade |
|---|---|
| Depth | Surface, or 1 mm |
| Spacing | 30 to 40 cm apart |
| First pick | Leaves from about 10 weeks |
Anise
How to grow anise in Australia: when to sow in all six climate zones, sowing where it grows, spacing and watering, then harvesting and drying seed and leaves.
| Position | Full sun, sheltered from wind |
|---|---|
| Depth | 6 to 10 mm |
| Spacing | 25 to 30 cm apart |
| First pick | Seed 17 to 20 weeks from sowing |
Ashitaba
Grow ashitaba from seed in Australia: chilling the seed, surface sowing, shade and moist soil, picking young stems, history, safety and all six climate zones.
| Position | Morning sun, afternoon shade |
|---|---|
| Depth | Surface; half cover the seed |
| Spacing | 30 cm apart |
| First pick | Second year onwards |
Ashwagandha
Grow ashwagandha from seed in Australia: warm germination, sowing, site, care and root harvest, with its history and safety, for all six climate zones.
Poisonous to people| Position | Full sun |
|---|---|
| Depth | 5 mm |
| Spacing | 45 to 60 cm apart |
| First pick | Roots 21 to 26 weeks |
Astragalus
How to grow astragalus (huang qi) in Australia from hard-coated seed: rubbing and soaking, sowing months for six zones, care, pests and lifting the taproot.
| Position | Full sun |
|---|---|
| Depth | 5 mm |
| Spacing | 20 to 45 cm apart |
| First pick | Roots after 2 to 3 years |
Basil
Sowing basil once the nights are mild, spacing and watering, pinching for bushy plants, and picking so the crop keeps coming until the first cold snap.
| Position | Full sun, 6 hours minimum |
|---|---|
| Depth | 2 to 6 mm |
| Spacing | 20 to 30 cm |
| First pick | 6 to 12 weeks |
Black Cohosh
Grow black cohosh from seed in Australia: the warm then cold germination method, shade and soil, care, seed saving, history, safety and all six climate zones.
Poisonous to people| Position | Morning sun, afternoon shade |
|---|---|
| Depth | About 6 mm |
| Spacing | 60 to 90 cm apart |
| First pick | Flowers in year three or four |
Borage
How to grow borage in Australia: when to sow in all six climate zones, sowing where it grows, lean soil, pots, self-seeding control and picking flowers safely.
Leaves harmful to people eaten often| Position | Full sun or light shade |
|---|---|
| Depth | 5 to 10 mm |
| Spacing | 30 to 60 cm |
| First pick | 8 to 12 weeks from sowing |
Caper Bush
Grow caper bush from seed in Australia: soaking and chilling the seed, site, sowing, care, pruning, picking and salting capers, plus history and safety by zone.
| Position | Full sun, hot and dry |
|---|---|
| Depth | 6 to 12 mm |
| Spacing | 2.5 to 3 m apart |
| First pick | Second or third summer |
Caraway
How to grow caraway in Australia: when to sow in all six climate zones, sowing direct, pots, why it flowers in year two, and harvesting and drying the seed.
| Position | Full sun; tolerates light shade |
|---|---|
| Depth | 5 to 10 mm |
| Spacing | 20 to 30 cm apart |
| First pick | Leaves 10 to 12 weeks |
Cat Grass
How to grow cat grass (cocksfoot) in pots in Australia: sowing thickly, warmth, watering, trimming for cats, rabbits and guinea pigs, and stopping it seeding.
| Position | Bright light; part shade outdoors |
|---|---|
| Depth | Cover lightly, 1 to 5 mm |
| Spacing | Scatter thickly; no thinning |
| First pick | 2 to 4 weeks |
Catmint
How to grow catmint in Australia from seed: shallow sowing, sun and free drainage, sowing months for six zones, shearing for a second flush and drying flowers.
| Position | Full sun, 6 hours plus |
|---|---|
| Depth | Surface to 5 mm |
| Spacing | 30 to 60 cm apart |
| First pick | Flowers from 10 to 13 weeks |
Catnip
How to grow catnip in Australia from seed: light sowing, dry free-draining soil, sowing months for six zones, protecting seedlings from cats and drying leaves.
| Position | Full sun, 6 hours plus |
|---|---|
| Depth | Barely covered, 5 mm at most |
| Spacing | 40 to 60 cm apart |
| First pick | Leaves from 11 to 12 weeks |
Chamomile
How to grow chamomile in Australia: German and Roman types, sowing months for six climate zones, surface sowing for light, pots, and picking and drying flowers.
| Position | Full sun to light shade |
|---|---|
| Depth | Surface; press in, uncovered |
| Spacing | 20 cm apart |
| First pick | 9 to 10 weeks (German) |
Chervil
How to grow chervil in Australia: cool-season sowing times for all six climate zones, sowing direct, part shade, pots, delaying bolting and picking the leaves.
| Position | Part shade, morning sun |
|---|---|
| Depth | 3 to 5 mm |
| Spacing | 20 to 25 cm |
| First pick | 6 to 8 weeks |
Chinese Liquorice
Grow Chinese liquorice from seed in Australia: scarify the hard seed, sow it warm, contain the runners and lift the roots after three years, in all six zones.
Root harmful to people in large amounts| Position | Full sun or light shade |
|---|---|
| Depth | 5 mm, scarified seed |
| Spacing | 60 to 120 cm apart |
| First pick | Roots after three years |
Chives
How to grow chives and garlic chives in Australia: sowing times for all six climate zones, depth and spacing, pots, cutting, dividing clumps and common pests.
Harmful to cats and dogs| Position | Full sun to part shade |
|---|---|
| Depth | 5 to 10 mm |
| Spacing | Clumps 15 to 25 cm apart |
| First pick | Light cuts from 8 to 12 weeks |
Clary Sage
How to grow clary sage in Australia from seed: shallow sowing, lean free-draining soil, sowing months for six zones, cutting back, picking leaves and flowers.
| Position | Full sun |
|---|---|
| Depth | Barely cover; needs light |
| Spacing | 60 to 90 cm apart |
| First pick | Leaves, 11 to 16 weeks |
Comfrey
How to grow comfrey from seed in Australia for mulch, compost and liquid feed: sowing times in six zones, spacing, cutting, comfrey tea and keeping it in check.
Poisonous to people, cats and dogs (severe for people)| Position | Full sun or part shade |
|---|---|
| Depth | 5 mm, in trays |
| Spacing | 60 to 90 cm apart |
| First pick | About 52 weeks from sowing |
Coriander
Why coriander runs to seed, when to sow it in your climate, and how to harvest the leaves, roots and seed so one packet gives three crops.
| Position | 6 hours sun; hot-afternoon shade |
|---|---|
| Depth | 6 to 10 mm |
| Spacing | 15 to 20 cm |
| First pick | 5 to 10 weeks |
Culantro
How to grow culantro in Australia: when to sow in all six climate zones, sowing in warm soil, shade, pots, cutting flower stalks, picking and drying leaves.
| Position | Part shade, morning sun only |
|---|---|
| Depth | Surface, 2 mm cover at most |
| Spacing | 30 cm apart |
| First pick | 10 to 12 weeks from sowing |
Dandelion
How to grow dandelion in Australia from seed: surface sowing, deep loose soil, sowing months for six zones, deadheading, milder leaves, roots and red dandelion.
| Position | Full sun or light shade |
|---|---|
| Depth | Surface, or 1 mm |
| Spacing | 15 to 30 cm apart |
| First pick | Leaves from about 12 to 16 weeks |
Dang Shen
Grow dang shen from seed in Australia: surface sowing, cold stratification, trellis, care by stage, root harvest, history and safety for all six climate zones.
| Position | Sun to part shade |
|---|---|
| Depth | On the surface, uncovered |
| Spacing | About 40 cm apart |
| First pick | Roots after 2 to 3 years |
Dill
How to grow dill in Australia: sowing times for all six climate zones, sowing depth and spacing, pots, slowing early flowering, and harvesting leaves and seed.
| Position | Full sun, sheltered from wind |
|---|---|
| Depth | 2 to 6 mm |
| Spacing | 20 to 30 cm |
| First pick | 6 to 8 weeks |
Echinacea
How to grow echinacea from seed in Australia: chilling narrow-leaved seed, sowing months for six climate zones, soil, care, cut flowers, history and safety.
| Position | Full sun, 6 hours or more |
|---|---|
| Depth | Barely covered, on the surface |
| Spacing | 30 to 45 cm apart |
| First pick | Second summer, sometimes the first |
Evening Primrose
Grow evening primrose from seed in Australia: surface sowing in light, lean sunny beds, flowers at dusk in year two, seed saving, history, safety and six zones.
| Position | Full sun |
|---|---|
| Depth | Surface; press in, uncovered |
| Spacing | 30 to 40 cm apart |
| First pick | Flowers in the summer after its first winter |
Feverfew
Grow feverfew from seed in Australia: surface sowing in light, sun and free drainage, deadheading, picking and drying, its history, safety and all six zones.
| Position | Full sun |
|---|---|
| Depth | Surface; press in, do not cover |
| Spacing | 30 cm apart |
| First pick | Flowers from about 18 weeks |
Giloy
Grow giloy from fresh vine cuttings in Australia: striking cuttings, warmth, support, pots, vine training, history, safety and planting times for all six zones.
Poisonous to people (severe)| Position | Full sun to part shade |
|---|---|
| Depth | Half the cutting buried |
| Spacing | About 3 m between vines |
| First pick | Cuttings in late winter |
Golden Chamomile
How to grow golden chamomile in Australia from seed: shallow sowing, lean free-draining soil, sowing months for six zones, deadheading and flowers for dyeing.
| Position | Full sun |
|---|---|
| Depth | Surface to 2 mm |
| Spacing | 30 to 45 cm apart |
| First pick | Flowers from 9 to 11 weeks |
Herb Robert
How to grow herb Robert in Australia: sowing its slow, uneven seed, moist shade, sowing times for every zone, and keeping this self-seeding cranesbill in check.
| Position | Light shade or morning sun |
|---|---|
| Depth | Just covered, lightly |
| Spacing | 30 cm apart |
| First pick | Once the rosette is leafy |
Hyssop
Grow hyssop from seed in Australia: shallow sowing in warmth, full sun and sharp drainage, trimming, drying flowering tops, its history, safety and six zones.
Poisonous to people| Position | Full sun |
|---|---|
| Depth | 3 mm at most |
| Spacing | 30 to 40 cm apart |
| First pick | Flowering tops from about 13 weeks |
Ice Plant
How to grow ice plant in Australia: sowing the dust-fine seed, pots, watering for plump salty leaves, picking shoot tips, and stopping it spreading as a weed.
| Position | Full sun |
|---|---|
| Depth | Surface; 1 mm at most |
| Spacing | 25 to 30 cm apart |
| First pick | Leaves from 7 to 13 weeks |
Jiaogulan
Grow jiaogulan from seed in Australia: chipping the dormant seed, sowing, trellis, care, harvest, traditional history and safety across all six climate zones.
| Position | Part shade or morning sun |
|---|---|
| Depth | 5 mm |
| Spacing | 30 cm apart |
| First pick | Vines 2 to 3 m long |
Korean Mint
How to grow Korean mint in Australia from seed: barely covered sowing, sunny free-draining beds, sowing months for six zones, cutting back and picking leaves.
| Position | Full sun or light shade |
|---|---|
| Depth | Barely covered, 1 to 2 mm |
| Spacing | 40 to 50 cm apart |
| First pick | Leaves from 12 to 14 weeks |
Lady's Mantle
How to grow lady's mantle from seed in Australia: the cold spell slow seed needs, sowing months for six climate zones, shade, cutting back and self-seeding.
| Position | Morning sun, afternoon shade |
|---|---|
| Depth | Surface, 3 mm at most |
| Spacing | 30 to 45 cm |
| First pick | Flowers in the second year or later |
Lavender
How to grow English lavender from seed in Australia: chilling the seed, sowing times for six climate zones, soil, pots, trimming, harvesting and drying flowers.
| Position | Full sun, 6 hours plus |
|---|---|
| Depth | Barely covered, 3 mm |
| Spacing | 30 to 60 cm apart |
| First pick | Second summer after sowing |
Lemon Balm
How to grow lemon balm in Australia from seed: surface sowing, part shade, pots, sowing months for six climate zones, cutting back, pests and picking leaves.
| Position | Sun or part shade |
|---|---|
| Depth | Surface, or 2 to 3 mm |
| Spacing | 40 to 50 cm apart |
| First pick | 8 to 10 weeks from sowing |
Lemon Mint
How to grow lemon mint (lemon bee balm) in Australia: surface sowing, when to sow in all six zones, lean soil, deadheading, and cutting the leaves and flowers.
| Position | Full sun; tolerates part shade |
|---|---|
| Depth | Surface; press in, do not cover |
| Spacing | 30 to 45 cm apart |
| First pick | Flowers 12 to 17 weeks |
Lemongrass
How to grow lemongrass in Australia from seed or greengrocer stalks: sowing warmth, sunny beds, pots for frosty areas, zone months, cutting back and harvest.
| Position | Full sun |
|---|---|
| Depth | Barely covered, 3 mm |
| Spacing | 60 to 90 cm |
| First pick | 10 to 16 weeks from sowing |
Lovage
How to grow lovage in Australia from seed: sowing months for six climate zones, rich moist soil, pots, cutting back, pests, and harvesting leaves and seed.
| Position | Sun, or afternoon shade |
|---|---|
| Depth | 6 mm |
| Spacing | 60 cm to 1 m |
| First pick | Lightly from about 15 to 17 weeks |
Maca
How to grow maca in Australia: sowing months for all six climate zones, germinating seed, thinning, even watering, and lifting the roots at 3 to 5 cm across.
| Position | Full sun, cool months |
|---|---|
| Depth | Surface to 5 mm |
| Spacing | 10 to 15 cm |
| First pick | 26 to 39 weeks |
Marshmallow
How to grow marsh mallow in Australia from seed: waking slow seed, damp sunny sites, sowing months for six zones, care, root harvest, history and safety.
| Position | Full sun; part shade inland |
|---|---|
| Depth | Surface, barely covered |
| Spacing | 45 to 60 cm apart |
| First pick | Roots after two years |
Meadowsweet
How to grow meadowsweet from seed in Australia: chilling and surface sowing, wet soil, pots, all six climate zones, care, cutting, history and safety notes.
| Position | Sun to part shade |
|---|---|
| Depth | Surface, barely covered |
| Spacing | 40 to 60 cm apart |
| First pick | Flowers from second summer |
Mint
How to grow mint in Australia: sowing times by climate zone, surface sowing, pots that stop the runners, cutting back, harvesting sprigs, rust and pennyroyal.
Pennyroyal harmful to people and pets| Position | Part shade or full sun |
|---|---|
| Depth | Surface sown, not covered |
| Spacing | 30 to 45 cm |
| First pick | 8 to 12 weeks |
Minutina
How to grow minutina, or erba stella, in Australia: when to sow in all six climate zones, sowing depth, spacing, pots, watering, cutting and storing the leaves.
| Position | Full sun to part shade |
|---|---|
| Depth | 2 to 6 mm |
| Spacing | 10 to 15 cm apart |
| First pick | About 7 weeks from sowing |
Mitsuba
How to grow mitsuba (Japanese wild parsley) in Australia: shade, shallow sowing, when to sow in all six zones, bolt management, and cutting leaves and stalks.
| Position | Part shade to bright shade |
|---|---|
| Depth | Barely covered, about 3 mm |
| Spacing | 15 to 20 cm apart |
| First pick | 7 to 9 weeks from sowing |
Moldavian Dragonhead
How to grow Moldavian dragonhead in Australia: sowing months for all six zones, surface sowing for light, pots, cutting, drying, history and safety facts.
| Position | Full sun to part shade |
|---|---|
| Depth | Surface; press in, do not cover |
| Spacing | 15 to 30 cm |
| First pick | 11 to 13 weeks |
Motherwort
How to grow motherwort from seed in Australia: germinating the seed, sowing depth, planting months for six zones, care, deadheading, history and safety facts.
| Position | Full sun to part shade |
|---|---|
| Depth | Surface, covered to 3 mm |
| Spacing | 50 cm apart |
| First pick | Flowering stems in summer, from 70 to 80 days |
Mountain Mint
How to grow mountain mint (Balkan mint) in Australia from seed: surface sowing, lean, free-draining soil, sowing months for six zones, trimming and picking.
| Position | Full sun |
|---|---|
| Depth | Surface sow; needs light |
| Spacing | 20 to 25 cm apart |
| First pick | Sprigs from 10 to 14 weeks |
Mugwort
Grow mugwort and yomogi from seed in Australia: surface sowing in light, containing the rhizomes, cutting back, drying leaves, history, safety and six zones.
Poisonous to people, cats and dogs (severe for people)| Position | Full sun to part shade |
|---|---|
| Depth | Surface; do not cover |
| Spacing | 60 cm apart |
| First pick | Leaves from about 12 weeks |
Mullein
Grow common and Greek mullein from seed in Australia: surface sowing in warmth, lean sunny beds, deadheading before seed, history, safety and six climate zones.
| Position | Full sun |
|---|---|
| Depth | Surface; press in, uncovered |
| Spacing | 60 cm apart |
| First pick | Leaves in year one; flowers the next summer |
Nettle
Grow stinging nettle from seed in Australia: surface sowing in light, keeping runners contained, cutting back, picking young tops safely, history and six zones.
Harmful to dogs| Position | Sun to part shade |
|---|---|
| Depth | Surface; 2 mm at most |
| Spacing | 30 to 45 cm apart |
| First pick | Young tops from 11 to 13 weeks |
Oregano
How to grow oregano in Australia from seed: surface sowing, lean sunny soil, pots, sowing months for six climate zones, trimming, pests and drying the sprigs.
| Position | Full sun |
|---|---|
| Depth | Surface, or barely covered |
| Spacing | 30 cm apart |
| First pick | Once established; best just before flowering |
Parsley
How to grow parsley in Australia: sowing times for all six climate zones, depth and spacing, pots, flat-leaf, curled and Hamburg types, and picking for months.
| Position | Full sun to part shade |
|---|---|
| Depth | 3 to 10 mm |
| Spacing | 20 to 30 cm |
| First pick | 10 to 12 weeks |
Phacelia
How to grow phacelia in Australia: sowing times for all six climate zones, why the seed must be covered, feeding bees, and cutting it as a cover crop for soil.
| Position | Full sun or light shade |
|---|---|
| Depth | 5 to 6 mm, covered |
| Spacing | 15 to 30 cm, or scattered |
| First pick | Flowers in 6 to 13 weeks |
Plantain
Grow ribwort plantain from seed in Australia: surface sowing, lean sunny ground, cutting spikes before seed ripens, picking young leaves, history and safety.
| Position | Full sun to part shade |
|---|---|
| Depth | Surface, or 2 mm at most |
| Spacing | 20 to 30 cm apart |
| First pick | Young leaves once rosettes have 8 or more |
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