It wasn’t easy to find the Best Herbs to Grow In Minnesota. Some herbs require extensive care, while others are susceptible to pests and are not easy to grow.
This is why I created a list of the Top 10 Best Herbs to Grow In Minnesota!
This guide will show you which best herbs you can grow, how to grow them, and why.
Understanding the Minnesota hardiness zone is important to growing the best herbs.
This can make the difference between your herb gardens flourishing and producing a large yield or going dormant.
Minnesota is a Hardiness Zone 5 region, while Hardiness Zone 6 can be found in some lower-level areas.
Top 10 Best Herbs to Grow In Minnesota
Table of Contents
1. Basil
Most Popular Varieties: Sweet and Genovese, Thai, and Purple
Why Grow Basil In Minnesota?
thrives in the heat:
- Basil continues to grow as the summers heat up and become more flavorful. You won’t find a more low-maintenance option than basil.
Low-Maintenance:
- Basil is one of the easiest herbs you can grow. Basil doesn’t require fertilization. It can be grown in any soil.
Great for ANY Garden
- Basil can be used in urban gardening, window boxes, and garden containers. Basil is great for indoors, in raised garden beds and traditional gardens.
All Summer Harvested:
- Basil can be harvested throughout the summer. Basil will grow faster if you keep it in good condition.
These Could Harm your Basil
Disease:
- Basil is one of the most susceptible herbs to disease. In the summer, you can expect blight, fungus, and rot to attack your plant.
Frost:
- Basil will not grow if the temperature drops below 35°F. You should plant your herb after the last frost and harvest it before the first frost of fall.
Click Here Check Out This Basil Seeds
2. Oregano
Popular Varieties: Italian, Common, Greek, Cuban
Why Grow Oregano in Minnesota?
Cold Hardy
- Minnesota’s cold is the toughest enemy for Oregano. Unlike any other herb on the list, Oregano can be grown all year.
Ornamental:
- Oregano is also an ornamental plant. It can be used for borders, garden containers, traditional gardens, and other areas. It can bring color, beauty, and features to any yard.
Perennial:
- Oregano can be grown year after year. It can be planted once, and it will continue to grow year after year.
These Could Harm your Oregano
Invasive
- The invasiveness of herbs is rare. However, herbs can become invasive. It would help if you pruned your Oregano. It can quickly overtake your garden and harm your other plants.
Extreme Heat
- Extreme heat will not kill herbs like other herbs. It will, however, affect its taste and its ability to last.
Click Here Check Out This Oregano Seeds
3. Mint
Popular Varieties: Peppermint, Spearmint, Chocolate
Why Grow Mint In Minnesota?
thrives in the cold:
- Some herbs can withstand cold, but Mint can thrive in Minnesota’s frigid temperatures. It would help if you planted your peas in the winter and spring to get the best tasting ones.
Low Maintenance
- Mint is one of the easiest herbs to grow. It doesn’t require fertilization, you barely have to water it, and it can be planted in any soil.
Perfect in Containers
- Mint is best planted in containers because it can be grown anywhere: in a garden pot, home, or window box.
These Could Harm your Mint
Invasive:
- Mint can be very invasive. Mint can spread quickly and kill other plants in your garden within one year. Frustrated gardeners will naturally kill their Mint.
Click Here Check Out This Mint Seeds
4. Sage
![750+ Sage Pictures [HQ] | Download Free Images on Unsplash](https://media.istockphoto.com/photos/sage-picture-id183812930?b=1&k=20&m=183812930&s=170667a&w=0&h=2bL7GqY6LvLNaPEq6BMaJP8NfcOdpqeogOVuw_W2m4A=)
Popular Varieties: Garden, Pineapple, Purple, Golden
Why Grow Sage In Minnesota?
thrives in the heat:
- As the summer heats up, sage grows in popularity and size. You won’t find a more low-maintenance plant than sage.
Repels Mosquitoes:
- Sage is a great herb to plant in your garden to repel insects and mosquitoes. It can be left in your garden or burned to repel insects.
Ideal in All Types of Garden
- Some herbs are best when ground. Sage is one example. They can be grown in containers, window boxes, and raised garden beds.
These Could Harm your Sage
Diseases:
- Sage, particularly non-garden varieties, is one of the most susceptible herbs to disease. Even if you take good care of your herb, spring and summer are the most vulnerable times.
Click Here Check Out This Sage Seeds
5. Thyme
Most Popular Varieties: Lemon, Common, and Woolly
Why Grow Thyme In Minnesota?
Thrives in heat and cold:
- Thyme is one of the most versatile herbs. Some varieties can only be grown in cold conditions, while others can be grown indoors. Others can also be grown outdoors in warmer climates, but some are great for both.
All-Summer Harvest:
- Tyme is one herb that can be harvested from spring through late fall. You can store or enjoy it throughout the year.
Easy to Grow
- It is very easy to grow thyme. It is easy to plant the thyme, water it, and then continue watering it throughout the summer. That’s it!
These Could Harm your Thyme
Birds, Squirrels, Rabbits, & Chipmunks:
- They will not generally harm your thyme. They will eat your thyme leaves immediately if they are not protected with netting or rodenticide.
Insects:
- Thyme is one herb that insects can destroy. If not taken care of, insects can quickly destroy thyme leaves and cause damage to the plant.
Click Here Check Out This Thyme Seeds
More Guide To Read:
Best Insecticide For Vegetable Garden
Growing Potatoes Indoors In Containers
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6. Rosemary
Most Popular Varieties: Creeping. Tuscan. Arp
Why Grow Rosemary In Minnesota?
Thrives in heat and cold:
- Rosemary is another tough herb. Some varieties can grow in colder weather, while others can thrive in warmer.
Lots and Lots of Harvest:
- Rosemary can be harvested from late spring through late fall. You can enjoy rosemary all year.
Amazing Cross-Pollinator:
- Rosemary can be used to cross-pollinate with other herbs. Plant rosemary alongside beans, cabbage, peppers, and other vegetables for a larger harvest.
These Could Harm your Rosemary
Beetles:
- They are fierce. They can destroy rosemary plants as well as leaves from trees. This can be prevented by using netting.
Droughts:
- Growing rosemary is vulnerable to drought. Rosemary plants require a constant water supply to survive and harvest large quantities.
Click Here Check Out This Rosemary Seeds
7. Lavender
Popular Varieties: English Lavender, French Lavender, Lavadin
Why Grow Lavender In Minnesota?
Loves Heat:
- These herbs are low-maintenance and love the heat. They do better when it is hot. The longer the summer, the more lavender you’ll have.
The Perfect Ornamental Tree:
- You can also consider lavender an ornamental plant. It is great for gardens, borders, containers, and traditional gardens. It can also add beauty and color to any yard.
Works in ALL Gardens
- No matter where you live, lavender is great in any Garden. They are great in raised garden beds or containers.
Insect Hardy
- Plant lavender if you have problems with pests infecting your plants in Minnesota. You won’t have insect problems all year with this herb.
These Could Harm your Lavender
Cold
- Your lavender will not die if the temperature drops; it will stop growing and lose its scent. It won’t be ready for harvest until the next year.
Click Here Check Out This Lavender Seeds
8. Chamomile
Popular Varieties – German & Roman
Why Grow Green Chamomile In Minnesota?
Survives in Droughts:
- Chamomile is another beautiful herb with little to no watering other than the rain. It is the ideal herb to grow here in Minnesota.
Perennial:
- Chamomile can be grown year after year. It can be planted once and will continue to grow yearly. I recommend that you plant chamomile in any part of your yard.
These Could Harm your Chamomile
Garden Pests:
- Deer, Rabbits, and Birds love chamomile. They’ll eat what you leave if you don’t protect your netting and rodenticide.
Cold Weather
- Chamomile, like most perennial herbs, will die once it is frost-bitten. You cannot grow chamomile in the late spring or early fall.
Click Here Check Out This Chamomile Seeds
9. Garlic
Most Popular Varieties: Solo. Snow Mountain. Aglio
Why Grow Garlic Grown in Minnesota:
Survives in Droughts:
- Garlic is one herb that can withstand extreme heat and drought. It needs little water, very little care, and no fertilizer.
Cold Weather:
- Garlic, a perennial herb, can withstand extreme temperatures better than other herbs. It will begin to grow in the spring and can continue growing until the end of fall.
These Could Harm your Garlic
Garden Pests:
- Deer, rabbits, and even birds can dig up garlic and cause it to be destroyed. People believe that pests and animals will not eat each other, but this is a common misconception. Protect your garlic with netting or rodenticide.
Additional Resources
Garlic is best grown in Minnesota. I recommend that you place your herb where it will grow each year without moving it. Gardeners tend to plant herbs in an area they don’t want to grow or close together.
Click Here Check Out This Garlic Seeds
10. Dill.
Most Popular Varieties: Bouquet and Dukat. Fernleaf
Why Grow Dill In Minnesota?
Loves Heat:
- There is a growing trend, as you can see. Minnesota’s summer heat is a great place to grow Dill. The better, the hotter. However, it can flower faster and lose its flavor.
Many Varieties:
- This is perhaps the most overlooked aspect of growing Dill in Minnesota. There are four main types of Dill. Each one has a distinct taste. This allows you to choose the type that suits your climate and needs.
These Could Harm your Dill
Beetles:
They are annoying and can cause damage to many plants, including herbs. They can also infest dill stalks and leaves and kill the herb in less than one day. This can be prevented by using netting.
Click Here Check Out This Dill Seeds
Common Growing Factors for Best Herbs to Grow In Minnesota
The following factors are important for growing the Best Herbs in Minnesota.
- The Thrive in Heat and Drought
- Thrives in the Cold
- Can You Grow Anything in Your Yard
- Hardy against Insects & Pests
- All types of gardens can be planted.
- Great Cross-Pollinator
- Are Perennial plants possible?
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the easiest herb to grow?
These are the ten easiest herbs to grow
- Basil. Amazon. AMAZON. …
- Thyme. Lazing Bee. $2 AT AMAZON. …
- Bay Leaf. Amazon. AMAZON. …
- Lemongrass. Olesya/Getty Images. Take 33% off your purchase …
- Oregano. Amazon. Amazon. …
- Mint. Amazon. Delicious tea and culinary varieties. …
- Sage. Amazon. Amazon. …
- Rosemary. Amazon. Amazon.
What herbs are perennials in Minnesota?
Herbs
| Annual Herbs | Perennial Herbs |
|---|---|
| Basil Bay Borage Chamomile Cilantro Dill Fennel Lavender Marjoram Parsley Rosemary Watercress | Catnip Chives Hyssops Lemon Balm Mint Oregano Sage Sorrel Tansy Tarragon Thyme |
What herbs survive winter?
Cold-hardy herbs such as chives and mint, oregano, parsley, sage, and thyme can often withstand cold-winter temperatures while producing flavorful leaves, provided they are protected or grown indoors.
Can you leave herbs outside in the winter?
Some herbs like bay, sage, and thyme can withstand the winter, but they will not grow. Protect them from the coldest weather if you plan to harvest them. You can place plants in a cold frame or unheated conservatory. On milder days, make sure they are ventilated.
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