How to Grow Herb Gardens from Seed

Author Info

Last Updated: February 2, 2024 Approved

Looking to flex your green thumb? Want your own herbs at home? We’re here to help walk you through growing your own herb garden from seed. Read on to learn how to best prepare and care for your new seedlings. You'll have a whole house of new plants before you know it!

Steps

^{[1]
X
Research source}
Poke holes in the bottom of your containers for drainage. Fill containers full with a soil mixture. Pat down the soil to be sure there are no air pockets or your seeds might drop right to the bottom.^{[2]
X
Research source}
Very tiny seeds need only to be pressed into the soil. Water the seeds and cover the containers with plastic kitchen wrap. This will keep the soil warm and eliminate the need to water until the seedlings emerge. Place flats in a warm, sunny area. Until the seeds emerge, keep the soil damp.^{[3]
X
Research source}
If you plan to transfer your seedlings to the garden, wait until at least two sets of leaves have emerged. Once it is warm enough, start leaving them outside a few hours a day. This will "harden them off" and get them ready for the harsher outdoor conditions. Water well.^{[4]
X
Research source}
Transplant the plants by pinching off the lower set of leaves. Dig a hole deep enough to hold the plant just over the point where you pinched the leaves. These leaf nodes will grow roots. Gently turn the pot upside down and allow the plant to fall out into your hand. Don't pull the plant by the stem or leaves. Place the plant in hole and pat soil around your plant. Water once daily for a week and twice weekly thereafter. When the plants begin to get bushy, add mulch around them to discourage weeds.
Advertisement

Community Q&A

Search

Add New Question

Question

Could I just use potting mix to propagate seeds?

Community Answer

Coconut coir works best. It's available at most garden shops and places which sell hydroponics supplies.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 4 Helpful 11
Question

Will pesticides on herbs make me sick?

Community Answer

It depends on the pesticides you use, but there are many natural ingredients that you can use at home to keep bugs away from your herbs, so I would suggest using those instead of pesticides.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 1 Helpful 6
Question

How many seeds of basil, cilantro, and chives are needed for each pot?

Community Answer

It depends on how big the pot is. Usually on the side of the seed packet it will tell you how much room to leave between each seed.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 6 Helpful 5

See more answers

Ask a Question

200 characters left

Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.

Submit

Tips

Supplement low-sunlight conditions with fluorescent lighting. Expensive "grow lights" can be purchased from garden catalogs, but a fluorescent house lamp will work.

Thanks
Helpful 86 Not Helpful 29
Once the seedlings emerge, water them once a day.

Thanks
Helpful 78 Not Helpful 27
Bottom water seedlings to avoid damping off by placing the plants in a pan of water.

Thanks
Helpful 70 Not Helpful 26

Show More Tips

Warnings

Over-watering seedlings can cause damping off. Damping off is a fungal disease that causes the stems to break off and the plants to die.^{[5]
X
Research source} Allow the soil to dry for a few hours each day.

Thanks
Helpful 1 Not Helpful 0