Perennial Herbs & Spices List

Gardening with herbs and spices is a rewarding pastime that yields flavorful and robust plants that tend to taste much better than the seasonings sold in the grocery store. Many herbs and spices are annuals, an unfortunate fact for those who wish to have hassle-free seasoning year after year. There are a handful of perennial herbs and spices that you can grow in your garden and use in your kitchen.

Cooking Ginger

Cooking ginger (Zingiber officinale) is a perennial native to tropical Asia. The plant is unremarkable as an ornamental, growing to be about 4 feet high. The plant produces bright green, broad leaves. Cooking ginger is cultivated for its fleshy edible rhizomes, which are used as a spice in many different forms of cooking. Thinly slice ginger is served with sushi, and some people enjoy fried ginger on its own. The plant does best in USDA zones 8 to 12, in partial sunlight. Plant cooking ginger in a well -drained soil, and water regularly. The plant will thrive if grown in a container that is placed inside during the winter and outside during the rest of the year.

Mexican Tarragon

Reaching an average height of about 2 feet, Mexican tarragon (Tagetes lucida) is an upright, semi-woody perennial herb that is notable for its edible yellow flowers and long green leaves. The flowers may be used fresh in a salad, and the leaves can be used as a fresh or dried seasoning for a number of dishes. A native of Oaxaca, Mexico and Guatemala, Mexican tarragon grows best in USDA zones 8 to 11. The plant prefers full sunlight and well-drained, sandy soil. Moderately drought tolerant, Mexican tarragon requires only the occasional watering. The plant can be grown as a container plant in cooler climates, so long as it is kept outdoors in the summer and indoors in the winter.

English Lavender

English lavender (Lavandula angustifolias), also called true lavender, is a short-lived perennial native to parts of Europe and the Mediterranean. The shrub grows to be several feet high, producing columns of small leaves and stalks of tiny blooms, available in colors ranging from blue to lilac or purple. The plant is heavily aromatic, and many people grow the plant as an ornamental with no intention of harvesting the edible leaves. Lavender can be used for a variety of purposes, from a seasoning for tea or confections to a filler for potpourri. Lavender does best if grown in full sunlight in USDA zones 5 to 8, in a well-drained soil. Avoid over-watering this drought-tolerant plant: allow the soil to dry out in between waterings.