There are a number of herbs that do very well in the desert southwest.  Some are annuals (which must be replanted every year) and some are long lived biannuals and even small shrubs or trees.  Most herbs prefer filtered shade (such as under a tree) as shown in the photo to the left. Most herbs are not bothered by pests, so they can be grown organically quite easily.

BASIL

Basil is very easy to grow from seed, and in the right conditions will reproduce on its own.  There are many varieties to choose from, including cinnamon, lemon and lime flavors.  I enjoy growing many different kinds. 

Organic Basil Sweet Green

Organic Basil Lemon

BAY LEAF

Bay leaves grow on a small tree (to 15'), but thye are very slow growing can live for years in a container.  Protect from very hard freezes (below 20'). True Bay requires part to filtered shade.

BORAGE

Borage is a fun annual (which can overwinter if the winter is mild) that produces tiny bluish flowers that taste like cucumbers.

CAT MINT 

Not catnip, but still attractive to cats (and people) with it's minty like scent. Makes a nice tea. Cat nip will also grow well here.

CHIVES

Plant in filtered shade, keep snipping to prevent flowering, which will shorten the plants life.

CHOCOLATE FLOWER

Obviously not a herb, this delicious edible native flower smells and tastes like chocolate. It reseeds readily, but easy to remove from areas where you don't want it to grow.

CILANTRO (CORIANDER)

Cilantro grows best when planted in the fall or very early spring.  It will bolt (go to seed) very quickly in the heat of the summer.  The seeds are known as Coriander, so have a use as well as the pungent leaves.

DILL

Dill grows quite well, but is short lived. If you want to have it for pickles, you will need to harvest the heads and freeze them as they don't form at the same time your cucumbers do.

LAVENDER

Not all varieties are considered suitable for food use. Make sure you choose one that is edible, such as Lavendula agustifolia.

MINT

Mint  will grow in filtered to full shade.  Taste test first., as some mints are as 'minty' as others. Beware! It can take over so either grow it in a container or in a planting bed by itself.

OREGANO

I find that Mexican Oregano (Poliomintha longiflora) grows the best here.  It is best started from containers.  This small shrub grows in filtered shade to about 2 ½ feet tall and wide, with multitudes of pale pink to lavender flowers for months and months.  The tiny leaves have a mild oregano flavor.

ROSEMARY

Rosemary is a tough, drought tolerant shrub from the Mediterranean.  There are several forms, from trailing to a large shrub.  Just be sure not to overwater.

SAGE

Culinary sage is also from the Mediterranean, and becomes a small shrub, about 2’ tall by 3’ wide.  It prefers filtered shade.

STEVIA

Stevia is also known as 'Sweetleaf' and can be used to sweeten foods. It is a perennial, but will freeze completely to the ground and come back in the spring.  It prefers filtered shade.

Organic Herb Collection

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