This list of herbs brings together plants that people use in cooking, to make drinks, and to grow for their flavor. They include families found in different parts of the world.
POPULARButterfly weed
Asclepias tuberosa
POPULARWoodland sage
Salvia nemorosa
Mealycup sage
Salvia farinacea
POPULARArtillery plant
Pilea microphylla
Veld Grape
Cissus quadrangularis
Swedish Ivy
Plectranthus verticillatus
Autumn sage
Salvia greggii
French lavender
Lavandula stoechas
English lavender
Lavandula angustifolia
Purple Coneflower
Echinacea purpurea
Fringed Lavender
Lavandula dentata
Rice Paddy Herb
Limnophila aromatica
Sage
Salvia Mystic Spires
Blue Anise Sage
Salvia guaranitica
Fernleaf Lavender
Lavandula pinnata
Pandan
Pandanus amaryllifolius
Little Tree Plant
Biophytum sensitivum
Curry plant
Helichrysum italicum
Bay laurel
Laurus nobilis
scarlet sage
Salvia splendens
Yarrow
Achillea millefolium
Water Hyssop
Bacopa monnieri
Cockscomb
Celosia argentea
Licorice plant
Helichrysum petiolare
Myrtle
Myrtus communis
Purslane
Portulaca oleracea
Baby sage
Salvia microphylla
Tillandsia brachycaulos
Tillandsia brachycaulos
Bugleweed
Ajuga reptans
Pot marigold
Calendula officinalis
Butterfly pea
Clitoria ternatea
Moroccan eryngo
Eryngium variifolium
Roselle
Hibiscus sabdariffa
Portuguese lavender
Lavandula latifolia
Bee balm
Monarda fistulosa
Scarlet beebalm
Monarda didyma
Murdannia loriformis
Murdannia loriformis
Maypop
Passiflora incarnata
Sage of the diviners
Salvia divinorum
Tree germander
Teucrium fruticans
POPULARBlue eryngo
Eryngium planum
Lady's mantles
Alchemilla mollis
False Queen Anne's lace
Ammi majus
Wormwood
Artemisia absinthium
Pennywort
Centella asiatica
Chameleon plant
Houttuynia cordata
Scented geraniums
Pelargonium graveolens
South African geranium
Pelargonium sidoides
Mexican bush sage
Salvia leucantha
Common sage
Salvia officinalis
Bog sage
Salvia uliginosa
Lavender Cotton
Santolina chamaecyparissus
Society garlic
Tulbaghia violacea
Blue vervain
Verbena hastata
Arctic root
Rhodiola rosea
puncturevine
Tribulus terrestris
miracle fruit
Gymnema sylvestre
mountain arnica
Arnica montana
velvet bean
Mucuna pruriens
cannabis
Cannabis sativa
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The word "herb" actually describes the plant's use, not its common origin. The plants we group together come from dozens of completely unrelated families, so mint, parsley, and chamomile barely fit next to each other on a tree.
Our list of all herbs relies on this broad, practical meaning rather than strict botanical classification. And the number quickly grows once you start counting. The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, has recorded over 28,000 plant species with documented medicinal uses, plus culinary and aromatic species further increase that number.
Most herbs fall into three main categories based on their intended use. Ultimately, it all comes down to flavor, medicinal properties, and aroma:
However, it seems that you can’t categorize all herbs, as rosemary alone can fit into all three groups. It adds flavor to roasts, soothes the stomach, and fills the room with aroma.
The lifespan of herbs ultimately determines how you grow them. Some quickly complete their entire life cycle in a single season, others require two years, and some continue to grow year after year. This rhythm determines when you sow and when you finally harvest.
Life cycle | Trait | Examples |
Annual | Seed to death in one season | Basil, cilantro, dill |
Biennial | Leaves year one, seed year two | Parsley, caraway |
Perennial | Regrows for years from the root | Rosemary, sage, chives |
Perennial herbs really earn their place in a flowerbed, as you plant sage once, and it returns every spring without any hassle. Annuals like basil require annual reseeding, so knowing the cycle will save you a lot of guesswork later. Our herb list is sorted for easy reference, with each name listed next to its image.
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