Our Favorite 9 Herbs to Plant in Fall

Chives are one of our favorite herbs to grow because they can be used in many dishes. Both regular and garlic chives add flavor to herb butter, sour cream, and vinegar.  Chives can be divided and brought indoors to overwinter. When left outside, they will start regrowing again when the temperatures warm up in spring. Learn more about growing chives.

There is no substitute for the unique flavor of cilantro. This fast-growing herb is an excellent choice for a fall garden. Because it so easily bolts and goes to seed when temperatures rise about 85ºF, growing cilantro in the fall will give you a more reliable harvest. Cilantro prefers cool temperatures and can even grow in partial shade. Read more about growing cilantro.

Not only can dill be used for a variety of pickling and preserving recipes, but it also makes an excellent holding piece for floral arrangements. Planting dill in the fall will ensure you have this necessary ingredient for fall crafts and recipes. Dill is also a host plant for butterflies, and they’ll appreciate this vital plant in your garden. Learn how to grow dill from seed.

Plant fennel in late summer, and the cooler fall temperatures will help keep it from bolting. Since it grows a deep tap root, sowing fennel seeds directly into the garden is best. Once it is established, fennel can tolerate a light frost. In milder climates, new leaves and stems will sprout from the base in spring.

Oregano is a delicious herb for fall and winter recipes. It pairs perfectly with all those ripe tomatoes. As a perennial herb, it will come back in the spring after going dormant in the winter. Learn more about growing oregano.

Parsley seeds germinate well in warm soil. But once it has sprouted and is growing, parsley can thrive in the cooler fall temperatures. Parsley is a biennial, so you can harvest parsley all winter if temperatures are moderate and then replant in spring. Once temperatures are consistently below 40ºF, parsley will start to flower and go to seed. Read more about starting parsley from seed.

Rosemary is a perennial herb that makes a beautiful holiday gift for gardening friends or home chefs. The aroma of rosemary has been shown to reduce stress.

Rosemary grows slowly at first, so planting in the fall and giving it extra time to grow will result in a bigger plant in the summer. Cold stratification and winter sowing are also effective ways to get rosemary seeds started. Learn more about growing rosemary.

Sage is a vital ingredient for a fall harvest meal. From roasted turkeys to fragrant stuffing, you’ll enjoy having fresh sage on hand. This hardy perennial can be started indoors or directly sown.

Thyme is an excellent container herb and can be started any time of year. This perennial herb is easy to grow and can be used fresh and dried. Thyme is also a beneficial companion plant for tomatoes and cabbage. It can also be grown to encourage pollinators, as bees and butterflies are drawn to thyme flowers. Read more about thyme and how to grow it.