5 Herbs to Plant in Spring (with Soil, Watering & Care Tips)

Key Takeaways

• The five best herbs to plant in spring are basil, mint, parsley, cilantro, and rosemary. All five establish well in warming soil, produce reliably through early summer, and are manageable for beginner and experienced gardeners alike.

• Soil requirements vary by herb. Basil, mint, parsley, and rosemary grow best in well-draining soil with a pH of 6.0 to 7.0, while cilantro needs a slightly narrower range of 6.2 to 6.8. Rosemary requires the fastest-draining mix of all, ideally cut with coarse sand or perlite to prevent root rot.

• Watering needs differ significantly across these five herbs. Mint should stay consistently moist and never dry out fully. Rosemary should dry out completely between deep, infrequent waterings. For basil, parsley, and cilantro, let the top inch of soil dry slightly before watering again, and always water at the base in the morning.

• The most important care habit for basil, mint, and cilantro is removing flower buds the moment they appear, as bolting quickly dulls flavor and aroma. Rosemary and parsley benefit most from regular harvesting, which encourages continued productive growth throughout the season.

• GS Plant Foods' Fish and Kelp Liquid Blend provides spring herbs with a balanced organic feed that supports early root development, absorbs efficiently, and is safe around kids and pets, making it a practical choice for any home herb garden.

Can You Start an Herb Garden in Spring?

Yes, spring is the ideal time to plant herbs, and some of the best ones to start with include Basil, Mint, Parsley, Cilantro, and Rosemary. All five establish quickly in warming soil, produce reliably through early summer, and are forgiving enough for gardeners at any experience level.

Soil type, watering consistency, and a few straightforward care habits determine how well each herb performs. Get those right, and most of these herbs will thrive through the season with minimal effort.

Below is a complete breakdown of soil requirements, watering schedules, and care tips for all five.

5 Herbs to Plant in Spring

1. Basil

Basil is versatile in the kitchen, fast-growing, and thrives in the warm conditions spring naturally provides. Depending on the variety, it grows anywhere from 12 inches to 3 feet tall and is compact enough for a container on a sunny patio or windowsill.

Best Soil for Basil

Basil thrives in rich, well-draining soil with a pH between 6.0 and 7.0. A quality potting mix with added compost works well for container growing. Avoid heavy, clay-like soils that retain too much moisture, as basil roots are prone to rot in waterlogged conditions.

Watering

Water basil thoroughly, then allow the top inch of soil to dry out before watering again. Always water at the base of the plant rather than overhead, and aim to do so in the morning so leaves can dry before nightfall. Wet foliage overnight invites fungal disease.

Basil grows best in warm conditions and needs at least 6 hours of direct sunlight.

Basil Care Tips

Pinch off flower buds as soon as they appear to keep the plant focused on producing flavorful leaves. Basil needs at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily. 

The more sun it gets, the more intense the flavor. For indoor growing during spring, a south-facing window is the best option.

2. Mint

Mint is one of the most vigorous growers, which is both its greatest strength and its biggest challenge. Planted in the ground without containment, it will spread aggressively and take over nearby plants within a single season. Growing mint in its own container, or using a buried pot method to restrict root spread, is the smarter approach.

Best Soil for Mint

Unlike most herbs, mint tolerates moist to wet soils quite well. It prefers rich, loamy soil with a pH between 6.0 and 7.0. Mixing in organic compost helps retain moisture while still allowing airflow around the roots.

Watering

Mint likes consistent moisture and does not perform well when allowed to dry out completely. Keep the soil evenly moist but never waterlogged. On hotter spring days, watering every 1 to 2 days may be necessary, depending on container size and sun exposure.

Mint Care Tips

Harvest mint frequently by cutting stems back regularly to encourage bushier, more productive growth. 

Keep an eye out for flower buds and remove them as soon as they appear. Once mint flowers go to seed, the leaves lose a significant amount of their flavor and aroma. 

Mulching the base of container-grown mint helps retain moisture and regulate soil temperature during unpredictable spring weather. If you grow mint in a garden shared with pets or small children, using an organic fertilizer that is pet-safe and kid-friendly means the whole household can be around the garden safely.

3. Parsley

Parsley is a biennial herb, but most gardeners grow it as an annual, replanting each spring for the freshest harvest. Both flat-leaf and curly varieties are excellent spring options, with flat-leaf generally offering a stronger flavor profile.

Parsley is notoriously slow to germinate, often taking three to four weeks to sprout. Soaking seeds in warm water for 24 hours before planting can noticeably speed things up.

Best Soil for Parsley

Parsley grows best in deep, well-draining soil enriched with organic matter. It develops a long taproot, so loose soil that allows for deep penetration is important. 

Compacted soil will stunt its growth. A pH range of 6.0 to 7.0 is ideal, and raised beds or deep containers give those roots room to stretch.

Watering

Parsley prefers consistently moist soil but cannot tolerate waterlogged roots. Water deeply, then allow the top inch of soil to dry slightly before watering again. During dry spring spells, watering every two to three days may be necessary. A layer of mulch around the base helps retain soil moisture between sessions.

Flat-leaf parsley grows best in loose, well-draining soil that allows for deep root penetration.

Parsley Care Tips

Harvest parsley by cutting the outer stems first and leaving the inner stems to continue growing. Regular harvesting encourages the plant to produce more foliage. 

If parsley starts to bolt, cut it back immediately to extend the harvest season. Remove flower stalks as soon as they appear to prevent premature bolting, and inspect regularly for aphids and caterpillars, which are the most common pests.

4. Cilantro

Unlike most herbs on this list, cilantro does not transplant well due to its sensitive taproot. Direct sowing into your garden bed or final container is almost always the better approach. Sow seeds about half an inch deep and thin seedlings to six inches apart once they reach about two inches tall.

Cilantro is particularly susceptible to humidity, which can lead to fungal issues in poorly ventilated areas. Growing it in containers where air circulation can be managed gives you an advantage. Succession planting every two to three weeks is the best strategy for a continuous harvest before the summer heat ends the season.

Best Soil for Cilantro

Cilantro needs light, well-draining soil with a pH between 6.2 and 6.8. Heavy, water-retentive soils can cause roots to rot quickly, particularly in the cooler, wetter conditions of early spring. A sandy loam or quality potting mix with added perlite works well for both in-ground and container growing.

Watering

Water cilantro regularly but carefully. The soil should stay consistently moist without becoming saturated. Allow the top inch to dry slightly between waterings. Overwatering is a common mistake that leads to wilting and root problems, particularly in cooler spring temperatures where evaporation is slower.

Cilantro Care Tips

Harvest cilantro by snipping the outer stems frequently to keep the plant producing longer. Once a tall, thin flower stalk appears, bolting has begun, and leaf production will decline. 

At that point, let the plant go to seed. Those seeds are coriander, a valuable spice in their own right, and can be collected for cooking or replanting.

5. Rosemary

Rosemary is a drought-tolerant, low-maintenance herb. In mild climates, it grows into a large, woody perennial with fragrant needle-like leaves year-round. Spring brings a surge of fresh new growth, ideal for harvesting.

Start rosemary indoors in February or March from cuttings or transplants. Wait until late spring when soil temperatures are reliably above 60°F before moving plants outdoors, as rosemary is more sensitive to cold snaps than other herbs.

Rosemary grows well in containers when the soil drains quickly. Mix potting soil with coarse sand or perlite to prevent root rot.

Best Soil for Rosemary

Rosemary demands fast-draining soil above all else. It is extremely susceptible to root rot in wet conditions. A sandy or loamy soil with a pH between 6.0 and 7.0 is ideal. 

For container growing, mix standard potting soil with coarse sand or perlite at a 1:1 ratio. Raised beds work well in areas with heavy clay soil or frequent spring rain.

Watering

Rosemary only needs deep, infrequent watering once established. Allow the soil to dry out completely between waterings. 

In most spring conditions, once every one to two weeks is sufficient. Young transplants need slightly more consistent moisture in their first few weeks, but once roots are established, less is more.

Rosemary Care Tips

Harvest rosemary by snipping two to three-inch stem tips regularly to encourage bushy, dense growth. It needs at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily to produce the aromatic oils that make it valuable for cooking. In late spring, watch for powdery mildew in humid conditions and improve air circulation by pruning back any crowded stems.

Top 5 Herbs to Plant in Spring: Summary Table

How GS Plant Foods Helps Your Spring Herbs Thrive

Growing spring herbs comes down to matching each plant to the right soil, watering frequency, and light. Basil, mint, parsley, cilantro, and rosemary all reward that with reliable growth.

GS Plant Foods started over 12 years ago with an organic orchid formula, and that same focus on natural nutrition shapes everything we make. Our liquid fish, kelp, and humic acid blends support herb roots without synthetic runoff and are safe around kids and pets. If you want to feed your spring herbs the right way, explore our organic fertilizer options.

Check out our collection today!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What herbs grow best together in spring?

Mediterranean herbs like rosemary and thyme grow well together because they share a preference for dry, well-draining, sunny conditions. Basil and parsley are also a reliable pairing and do well alongside tomatoes. Keep mint in its own container regardless of what surrounds it, and keep fennel away from everything else entirely, as it releases compounds that inhibit nearby plant growth.

Can I grow spring herbs indoors?

Yes, provided they receive at least six hours of sunlight from a south or west-facing window. If natural light is insufficient, a full-spectrum grow light placed six to twelve inches above the plants works well as a substitute. The most common mistake with indoor herbs is overwatering, which causes root rot faster than almost any other issue.

When is it safe to plant herbs outside in spring?

Cold-hardy herbs like parsley and mint can go out in early spring and tolerate light frost. Tender herbs like basil need soil temperatures consistently at or above 60°F and no frost in the forecast. A soil thermometer is more reliable than air temperature alone, removing the guesswork entirely.

How do I stop my herbs from dying after transplanting?

Harden off seedlings by placing them outside in a sheltered spot for one to two hours on the first day, gradually increasing exposure over seven to ten days. Transplant in the late afternoon or on a cloudy day, and water deeply before and after the move. Hold off on fertilizing for the first one to two weeks to give roots time to settle. Once that window passes, Growth Impact is a concentrated blend of plant hormones, vitamins, and enzymes formulated specifically to reduce transplant shock and help struggling herbs recover.

Do spring herbs need fertilizer?

Container herbs benefit from a diluted liquid feed every 4 to 6 weeks, since nutrients leach out of potting soil faster than in garden beds. GS Plant Foods' Fish and Kelp Liquid Blend, applied at half strength, feeds gently without triggering excessive growth that dulls herb flavor and aroma. Gardeners who are used to synthetic fertilizers may also want to explore the 20-20-20 Hybrid with Kelp, which pairs a familiar NPK ratio with organic kelp for better absorption and less runoff.

*Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only. Always follow product label instructions and consult with qualified professionals for advice specific to your region, climate, and growing conditions. Individual results may vary based on environmental factors, soil conditions, plant species, and care practices. For specific product recommendations and application rates, visit GS Plant Foods.