The 5 Best Herbs for Warm Climate Gardens
Growing your own herbs provides a major boost to your home-cooked meals. In a warm climate you need to select appropriate plants, but there is plenty for you to choose from. With shade and water, you can be even more adventurous with what you choose to grow.
The best herbs to grow are those that will grow reliably in your climate. You should understand your own local conditions and observe what other people in your area are growing successfully. You should consider yield, taste, cooking utility, disease resistance, and general hardiness.
Basil (Ocimum basilicum)
There are many kinds of basil, most are varieties of O. basilicum, but also other species within the Ocimum genus.
Once you have basil established in your garden it will self-seed quite readily. If you have several varieties they may hybridize.
Lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus)
Lemongrass grows with little to no maintenance. It survives the harshest of droughts, but needs water to look nice and green.
Every two or three years you can pull the clumps out and replant individual stems with more space. This helps to keep the plants looking vibrant
Only the white part of the stem is eaten, and the plant can tolerate extreme trimming. Feel free to give it a ‘haircut’ if it looks straggly. Cutting lemongrass also makes the garden smell great!
Mint (Mentha, various species)
Mint can tolerate sunlight, but enjoys moist soil so it is often seen growing in partial shade.
Consider growing your mnt in a pot if you do not want it spreading uncontrolled.
Coriander / Cilantro (Coriandrum sativum)
In North America, the green parts of the coriander plant are known as cilantro. In any case, the roots, leaves, stem and seeds are all edible and have their place in the kitchen.
If you have plenty of fresh cilantro on hand, it will become a mainstay of your salads.
Dill (Anethum graveolens)
Dill will take you soup to another level. Get familiar with the taste and start experimenting!