15 Beginner Friendly Herbs to Grow in Your Garden: Herbalism for Beginners
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Imagine stepping into your own apothecary garden or medicinal herb garden, picking what you need, and creating natural solutions right from your backyard.
Isn’t it really amazing?
Whether you want a small backyard herb garden or a full medicinal herbs garden with plants for teas and essential oils herbs, this list of 15 beginner-friendly options will get you started with confidence and grow your herbs much faster.
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1. Basil – The Kitchen Essential

Basil is a must-plant for any backyard herb garden.
It’s easy to grow, adds flavor to meals, and has natural antibacterial properties.
Use it fresh in salads, sauces, or dry it for later.
Beginners love basil because it grows fast and thrives in pots or garden beds.
2. Mint – Refreshing and Simple
Mint spreads quickly, so keep it in a container. It’s one of the easiest medical herbs to grow and makes soothing teas that aid digestion.
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Plus, its fresh leaves are perfect for drinks, desserts, and even homemade herbal medicine recipes.
3. Chamomile – Calming Blooms

Chamomile’s daisy-like flowers bring calm and beauty to a medicinal herb garden.
Use it for gentle teas that help with sleep and relaxation.
This beginner-friendly herb loves sunshine and quickly fills your garden with charm.
4. Rosemary – Fragrant and Hardy

Rosemary thrives in sunny spots and needs very little care.
It’s perfect for seasoning food and has natural antioxidant properties.
A staple in any apothecary garden, rosemary also supports memory and focus.
5. Thyme – Small but Mighty

Thyme is a resilient herb that belongs in every medicinal herb garden.
It adds depth to cooking, supports respiratory health, and dries well for storage.
Its low-maintenance nature makes it great for beginners.
6. Oregano – Flavorful and Healing

Oregano is both a culinary star and a medicinal powerhouse.
It contains natural oils that support immunity.
Growing oregano in your medicinal herbs garden means you’ll always have fresh leaves for cooking and teas.
7. Sage – The Ancient Healer

Sage has a long history in natural remedies. It aids digestion and has antimicrobial properties.
Beginners find it simple to grow, and it makes a strong addition to any apothecary garden or herbal tea blend.
8. Lavender – Relaxation in Every Bloom
Lavender belongs in every medicinal herb garden.
Its calming scent helps with sleep and stress, while its flowers can be dried for teas, sachets, or oils.
It also attracts pollinators, boosting your whole garden.
9. Lemon Balm – Gentle and Uplifting
Lemon Balm is a cheerful herb with a light citrus scent.
It’s beginner-friendly and grows quickly.
Often included in herbal medicine recipes, it helps ease anxiety, supports sleep, and adds fresh flavor to teas.
10. Parsley – Simple and Practical
Parsley grows easily in pots or beds, making it great for beginners.
It adds vitamins and nutrients to meals while supporting kidney and bladder health.
A staple in a backyard herb garden, it’s practical and tasty.
11. Dill – Fresh and Fast
Dill grows quickly and brings flavor to soups, fish, and pickles.
It also supports digestion and can be brewed into tea.
A beginner’s medicinal herbs garden feels complete with this versatile herb.
12. Garlic – Natural Protection
Garlic is known for its immune-boosting power.
It’s one of the most reliable medical herbs to grow because it requires little effort and provides strong natural benefits.
Plus, it’s essential in countless recipes.
13. Calendula – Healing and Bright
Calendula’s golden blooms brighten your garden while soothing skin irritations.
A staple in many herbal medicine recipes, it’s often used in homemade salves and creams.
Beginners love its easy growth and dual benefits.
14. Chives – Tasty and Easy
Chives are simple to grow and come back year after year.
They add onion-like flavor to dishes and contain vitamins that support overall health.
Any backyard herb garden benefits from its fresh taste and low-maintenance nature.
15. Echinacea – Immunity Booster
Echinacea is one of the most powerful medical herbs for building immunity.
Its bright flowers also attract pollinators.
A must for your apothecary garden, it’s a long-lasting herb that rewards your care with both beauty and healing power.
Conclusion
Starting with these 15 beginner-friendly herbs makes herbalism for beginners approachable and fun.
Each plant adds its own purpose, from cooking to natural healing, giving you a well-rounded medicine herb garden.
With time, you’ll not only enjoy fresh flavors but also feel more confident creating your own herbal medicine recipes.
A thriving medicinal herbs garden is more than just plants; it’s the start of your personal journey into wellness and self-care.
FAQs
Q1: Do I need a large space to start a backyard herb garden?
Not at all. Many herbs grow well in pots, window boxes, or small raised beds.
Q2: Can I use these herbs to make essential oils herbs?
Yes, herbs like lavender, rosemary, and peppermint can be distilled into oils with the right equipment.
Q3: Which herbs are best for absolute beginners?
Mint, basil, and parsley are the easiest to grow and perfect for anyone starting an apothecary garden.
Q4: How do I use these herbs in herbal medicine recipes?
You can brew them into teas, dry them for later use, or make simple salves and infusions depending on the herb’s properties.