Arizona Herb Planting Guide: A Visual Guide for Low Desert Herbs
Herbs were some of the first plants I got right in my Arizona garden, and some of the first I got wrong. The ones I planted at the wrong time bolted or burned up before I got much from them. The ones I planted in fall, in the right spot, are still growing years later.
This guide covers when to plant close to 40 herbs in the low desert, with a photo of each one from my own garden and the planting dates that have worked for me in Mesa. Timing does most of the work here. Plant a cool-season herb like cilantro in spring and it bolts within weeks. Get a perennial like rosemary or garlic chives in the ground in October and it gets established before the heat and comes back for years. I created the Practical Gardening Glossary that explains terms like “bolting,” “annual,” and “perennial” in plain English.
The low desert runs below about 3,500 feet, which includes the Phoenix and Tucson areas. Use the planting dates listed with each herb below, or jump straight to the one you’re looking for from the list. If you want to dig deeper into desert gardening, my gardening classes make it easy to grow with confidence, no matter your experience levels.
Be sure to check out the end of this Arizona Herb Planting Guide for links to articles about common questions about growing a herb garden in Arizona.
Key Takeaways: Herb Planting Guide
- Plant perennial herbs in fall, ideally October. The longer they grow in good weather before summer, the better they handle the heat and the longer they last.
- Plant cool-season annual herbs like cilantro, dill, and parsley in fall too. They bolt fast once it warms up.
- Plant warm-season herbs like basil after your last frost, once the soil has warmed up.
- If you’re just starting out, garlic chives, basil, cilantro, oregano, and sage are the easiest wins here.
- Give most herbs morning sun with some afternoon shade. Only the toughest, like rosemary and lavender, take full desert sun.
Click on the herb name to go directly to that herb:
Vegetable, Herb, and Fruit Planting Guide for the Low Desert of Arizona
The ultimate resource for gardeners in arid regions with hot summers and mild winters—designed specifically for the low desert of Arizona.
It features information on how and when to start seeds indoors and when to transplant them outside for nearly 100 different fruits, vegetables, and herbs.
Herbs I’d Start With in the Low Desert
If you’re new to desert gardening and want herbs with the best chance of success, this is where I’d point you.
Garlic chives are my number one. They’re easy to grow, they take the heat, and they last for years. Regular onion chives can burn up in our summers, so if you’ve struggled with chives before, try garlic chives instead.
Basil and cilantro both do well when you plant them at the right time. Basil wants warm weather, so wait until after your last frost. Cilantro wants cool weather, so plant it in fall and expect it to bolt once spring heats up.
Oregano is hard to kill once it’s established, and I like growing it in a big container where it has room to spread. Sage does well tucked into the corner of a bed with good drainage. Both come back year after year.
When to Plant Herbs in the Low Desert
When you plant matters more than almost anything with herbs here. The same herb planted in October and in April can give you completely different results.
Cool-season herbs go in during fall. Cilantro, dill, parsley, borage, chamomile, and calendula all grow best while the weather is mild, so plant them from October through winter. Once the days warm up in spring, most of them bolt and set seed. With cilantro, I plant a little at a time in different spots around the garden so I always have some that hasn’t bolted yet.
Warm-season herbs go in after the last frost. Basil is the main one. It’s frost tender and it just sits there in cold soil, so there’s no rush to plant it early. Wait until the soil warms up and it takes off.
Perennial herbs are where fall planting really pays off. Rosemary, sage, oregano, thyme, lavender, bay, and garlic chives will all live for years if you get them established before summer. The single thing that helps most is planting them in fall, October if you can. The longer they have good growing weather before the heat arrives, the better they hold up through their first summer and the longer they last after that. If you want more on the ones that keep coming back, I go deeper in my posts on perennial herbs that come back through our summers and fall perennial herb care. For a full picture of what to plant each month, the month-by-month low desert planting calendar lays it all out.
Where I Plant Herbs in My Garden
Location makes a big difference with herbs here, especially the perennials you want to keep for years. My best spots get morning sun and some afternoon shade. That afternoon shade is what gets most herbs through the worst of summer. The tough ones like rosemary and lavender are the exception, and they handle full desert sun just fine. If you want the details on getting herbs through July and August, I cover how I keep herbs going through a desert summer in a separate post.
Mint is one I’ve moved around a lot. It dies back some in summer no matter what, but I’ve had the best luck growing it in north-facing containers where it gets light without the full afternoon sun. A container also keeps mint from spreading, since it takes over fast. Learn more about growing herbs in containers in this guide.
Fennel is another one I keep on its own. It can stunt the plants around it, so I give it its own space rather than tucking it into a shared bed.
A few herbs are worth trying even though they don’t always make it through summer. Stevia can rot if it stays too wet, but it’s one of my favorites for adding to teas, so I keep growing it. Ginger and turmeric can rot too, and both need shade and careful watering. Chamomile fades in the heat and tends to get powdery mildew. French tarragon is a favorite of mine that can still burn up in a hot summer. None of these are guaranteed, but some are worth the gamble if you like using them.
Amaranth
How to grow Amaranth:
- Grows best from seed
- When to plant amaranth in Arizona: March – April and July – August
- Harvest leaves as needed and cut the seed-heads with stems for drying to collect seeds.
- Good to Know: Warm-season annual. Leaves are high in protein.
Read this article for more information about how to grow amaranth.
Basil
How to grow Basil:
This is one of my most dependable warm-season herbs once the weather warms up.
- Grows best from seed or transplant; propagates by cutting
- Start seeds indoors: January – July
- Plant seeds outside: February 15 – August
- Plant transplants outside: March – August
- Harvest leaves often to keep plant from flowering for best flavor.
- Good to Know: Warm-season annual. Frost tender. Don’t rush planting; basil prefers warm air and soil. Plant near tomatoes to improve flavor and growth.
Read this article for more information about how to grow basil.
Bay
How to grow Bay:
- Grows best from cutting or transplant
- When to plant bay in Arizona: Late February – April
- Harvest dark leaves anytime. Use within 3-4 months for best flavor.
- Good to Know: Perennial. New plantings are frost-tender.
Read this article for more information about how to grow bay.
Bee Balm
How to grow Bee Balm:
- Grows best from seed or transplant
- Start seeds indoors: August – January
- Plant seeds or transplants outside: October – March
- Harvest leaves anytime.
- Good to know: Needs frequent water and afternoon shade. Attracts beneficial insects and pollinators. Considered a perennial flower, but often grown as an annual in the low desert of Arizona. Plant near tomatoes to improve flavor and growth.
Borage
How to grow Borage:
Once you’ve grown borage, it reseeds itself around the garden every cool season.
- Grows best from seed
- When to plant borage in Arizona: October – January
- Harvest young stems for best flavor. Pick flowers and use fresh, frozen, or dried.
- Good to Know: Cool-season annual. Self-seeds readily. Attracts pollinators. Plant with squash, strawberries, and tomatoes.
Read this article for more information about how to grow borage.
Calendula (Pot Marigold)
How to grow Calendula:
- Grows best from seed or transplant
- Start seeds indoors: August – September
- Plant seeds or transplants outside: September 15 – November
- Harvest flowers regularly when young and fresh.
- Good to know: Cool-season annual. Edible, and medicinal uses. Reseeds easily. Early bloomer. Often grown as a trap crop for aphids. Keep deadheaded to encourage blooms.
Read this article for more information about how to grow calendula.
Catnip
How to grow Catnip:
- Grows best from seed or division; reseeds readily
- When to plant catnip in Arizona: October – April
- Harvest leaves as needed.
- Good to know: Perennial. Deters flea beetles.
Chamomile
How to grow Chamomile:
- Grows best from seed or transplant; reseeds readily
- Start seeds indoors: August – January
- Plant transplants outside: October – March
- Harvest chamomile when the petals are flat or beginning to fall back from bud. Air-dry or dry in a dehydrator.
- Good to Know: Cool-season annual. Grows best in cooler weather. Improves the flavor of cabbage and onions. Chamomile fades once it gets hot and tends to get powdery mildew, so I treat it as a short cool-season crop.
Read this article for more information about how to grow chamomile.
Chives
How to grow Chives:
- Grows best from seed or division
- Start seeds indoors: August – February
- Plant seeds or transplants outside: October – April
- Harvest by cutting leaves at the base.
- Good to Know: Low-growing perennial; beautiful when flowering. Divide plants in the fall or early spring. Improves the growth and flavor of carrots. Regular chives can burn up in our summer heat. If yours struggle, garlic chives are a tougher swap.
Cilantro
How to grow Cilantro:
- Grows best from seed or transplant; reseeds readily
- When to plant cilantro in Arizona: October – January
- Harvest regularly for best flavor and to keep from flowering.
- Good to Know: Cool-season annual. Sets seed as temperatures climb in the spring. Cilantro seeds are called coriander. Cilantro bolts fast once spring heats up, so I plant a little at a time in different spots to stretch the harvest.
Read this article for more information about how to grow cilantro.
Arizona Herb Planting Guide: A Visual Guide for Low Desert Herbs (continued)
Once planted, most perennial herbs benefit from seasonal maintenance—this fall care guide shows you what each herb needs during the fall season.
Dill
How to grow Dill:
- Grows best from seed; handle transplants carefully; reseeds readily
- Start seeds indoors: August – November
- Plant seeds or transplants outside: October – January
- Use leaves fresh or dried. Let seed ripen on plant before harvesting. Bouquet dill has large seed heads. Fern-leaf dill has large plants for using fresh leaves.
- Good to Know: Cool-season annual. Trap crop for aphids; can attract ladybugs. Dill is a reliable cool-season herb for me, and it brings in swallowtail caterpillars and ladybugs.
Read this article for more information about how to grow dill.
Fennel
How to grow Fennel:
- Grows best from seed; handle transplants carefully; reseeds readily
- Start seeds indoors: August – November
- Plant seeds or transplants outside: October – January
- Harvest stalks and leaves before they turn woody. Seed heads are ready to harvest when they turn yellow-green.
- Good to Know: Cool-season annual. Attracts swallowtail caterpillars. Trap crop for aphids; can attract ladybugs. Cut bulbs at base and they will regrow. I keep fennel growing on its own so it doesn’t stunt the plants around it.
Read this article for more information about how to grow fennel.
French Tarragon
How to grow French Tarragon:
- Grows from transplant; can’t be grown from seed
- Plant transplants outside: March – April or October – November 15
- Good to Know: Tender perennial in the low desert, grown from a transplant since it rarely sets seed. It trails as it grows, so plant it at the side or end of a bed where it has room to spread. Give it afternoon shade and well-drained soil, since it dislikes soggy roots. It may slow down or stop growing in the hottest part of summer, then revive as temperatures moderate. Protect fall plantings from early frost.
Read this article for more information about how to grow French tarragon.
Garlic
How to grow Garlic:
- Grows best from cloves
- When to plant garlic in Arizona: October – November
- Harvest bulbs by digging up in late May.
- Good to Know: Soft-neck varieties perform better than hard-neck types in warmer climates like Arizona. Pre-chill whole cloves in a brown paper bag in the refrigerator for at least 6 weeks before planting. Plant near roses to deter aphids.
Read this article for more information about how to grow garlic.
Garlic Chives
How to grow Garlic Chives:
- Grows best from transplant or division
- When to plant garlic chives in Arizona: October – April
- Harvest stems by cutting down to base of plant as needed.
- Good to Know: Garlic chives are my top pick for new desert gardeners. Easy to grow, and they’ve lasted years for me where onion chives burned up.
Read this article for more information about how to grow garlic chives.
Ginger
How to grow Ginger:
- Grows best from rhizomes
- Start seeds indoors: January – February
- Plant outside: March
- Harvest ginger about 10 months after planting by carefully digging out rhizomes.
- Good to Know: Ginger needs a long warm growing season to grow well. Provide shade to protect leaves from sunburn. Harvest when leaves turn yellow and die back. Ginger can rot in our conditions, so I give it shade and watch the watering.
Read this article for more information about how to grow ginger.
Hyssop (Hyssopus officinalis)
How to grow Hyssop:
- Grows best from seed or transplant
- Start seeds indoors: January- February
- Plant seeds or transplants outside: February – April
- Harvest leaves just before flowering for best flavor.
- Good to Know: Perennial, but often grown as an annual. Attracts pollinators to herb gardens. Good for bordering gardens.
Read this article for more information about how to grow hyssop.
Lavender
How to grow Lavender:
- Grows best from transplant
- When to plant lavender in Arizona: October – April
- Harvest stalks just as blooms begin to open.
- Good to Know: Perennial. Keep leaves dry and let plant dry out a bit between waterings. Needs well-draining soil. Lavender is one of the few herbs that takes full desert sun for me, and Spanish varieties have done best. See my notes on lavender varieties that handle our heat.
Read this article for more information about how to grow lavender.
Lemon Balm
How to grow Lemon Balm:
- Grows best from transplant
- When to plant lemon balm in Arizona: February – April and October – November
- Harvest young leaves throughout the season and use fresh.
- Good to Know: Perennial. When leaves look spent, cut back to ground to reinvigorate.
Read this article for more information about how to grow lemon balm.
Lemon Grass
How to grow Lemon Grass:
- Grows best from division or transplant
- When to plant lemon grass in Arizona: February – April and October – November
- Harvest the fresh leaves and stems of single stalks as needed.
- Good to Know: Perennial. Grows well year-round in the low desert of Arizona.
Read this article for more information about how to grow lemon grass.
Lemon Verbena
How to grow Lemon Verbena:
- Grows best from cutting or transplant
- When to plant lemon verbena in Arizona: February – April and October – November
- Harvest lemon-scented leaves as needed.
- Good to Know: Frost-tender perennial. Needs well-draining soil.
Read this article for more information about how to grow lemon verbena.
Marjoram
How to grow Marjoram:
- Grows best from cutting, division, or transplant
- When to plant marjoram in Arizona: February – April and October – November
- Harvest leaves just before flowering for best flavor.
- Good to Know: Perennial. Seeds are slow to germinate; divide existing plants. Grows best in moist soil with full sun. Flowers in the spring. Similar to oregano, but taste is sweeter with more delicate flavor.
Mint
How to grow Mint:
- Grows best from cutting, division, layering, or transplant
- When to plant mint in Arizona: February – April and October – November
- Harvest leaves and stems when young for best flavor.
- Good to Know: Perennial. Can be invasive; grow in containers. Does best with afternoon shade. Cut back to reinvigorate in January. Deters white cabbage moths and improves the health of cabbage and tomatoes. Mint dies back a little for me in summer, and north-facing containers have given me the best results.
Read this article for more information about how to grow mint.
Arizona Herb Planting Guide: A Visual Guide for Low Desert Herbs (continued)
Oregano
How to grow Oregano:
- Grows best from cutting, division, or transplant
- When to plant oregano in Arizona: February – April and October – November
- Harvest leaves just before flowering for best flavor.
- Good to Know: Perennial. Seeds are slow to germinate; divide existing plants. Keep trimmed to prevent flowering. I grow oregano in a big container where it has room to spread, and it’s hard to kill once established.
Read this article for more information about how to grow oregano.
Papalo
How to grow Papalo:
- Grows best from seed or transplant
- Start seeds indoors: January – February
- Plant seeds or transplants outside: March – April
- Begin harvesting leaves once the plant is well established; younger leaves have milder flavor.
- Good to know: Warm-season annual. Thrives in hot, dry conditions. Strong flavor similar to cilantro. Grows tall; consider staking or pruning for bushier growth.
Read this article for more information about how to grow papalo.
Parsley (Italian – Flat)
How to grow Flat Parsley:
- Grows best from seed or transplant
- Start seeds indoors: July – March
- Plant seeds outside: October – March
- Plant transplants outside: October – April
- Harvest leaves any time as needed.
- Good to Know: Biennial, but often grown as a cool-season annual. Seeds are slow to germinate. Flat parsley has a stronger taste than curly parsley. Parsley is slow to germinate but dependable through the cool season once it’s up.
Read this article for more information about how to grow parsley.
Parsley (Curly)
How to grow Curly Parsley:
- Grows best from seed or transplant
- Start seeds indoors: July – March
- Plant seeds outside: October – March
- Plant transplants outside: October – April
- Harvest leaves any time as needed.
- Good to Know: Biennial, but often grown as a cool-season annual. Seeds are slow to germinate. Flavor is more mild than flat parsley. Parsley is slow to germinate but dependable through the cool season once it’s up.
Read this article for more information about how to grow parsley.
Rosemary
How to grow Rosemary:
- Grows best from cutting or transplant
- When to plant rosemary in Arizona: February – April and October – November
- Harvest stems as needed anytime. Best flavor is just before flowers appear.
- Good to Know: Drought-tolerant perennial. Takes full sun but needs well-drained soil. Cutting back by more than 1/3 can shock plant. Grows up to 6 feet tall. Good companion plant to cabbage, beans, carrots, and sage. Deters cabbage moths, bean beetles, and carrot flies. Rosemary handles full sun and heat better than almost any herb I grow.
Read this article for more information about how to grow rosemary.
Saffron Crocus
How to grow Saffron Crocus:
- Grows from bulbs
- Plant bulbs outside: September 15 – October
- Harvest the red stigmas (saffron threads) by hand when flowers bloom in late fall.
- Good to know: Fall-blooming perennial. Requires full sun and well-drained soil. Goes dormant in summer. Water lightly during active growth and allow to dry during dormancy.
Read this article for more information about how to grow saffron crocus.
Sage
How to grow Sage:
- Grows best from transplant
- When to plant sage in Arizona: February – April and October – November
- Harvest individual leaves as needed.
- Good to know: Perennial. Needs good drainage. Can rot in the summer during hot weather if too wet. Companion plant with rosemary, cabbage, and carrots to deter cabbage moths. Do not plant near cucumbers. Sage does well for me in the corner of a bed with good drainage. Too much summer water can rot it.
Read this article for more information about how to grow sage.
Savory (Summer)
How to grow Summer Savory:
- Grows best from seed, cutting, or transplant
- When to plant summer savory in Arizona: February – April
- Harvest summer savory just before flowering for best flavor.
- Good to Know: Warm-season annual. Does best with afternoon shade. Plant with beans and onions to improve growth and flavor.
Savory (Winter)
How to grow Winter Savory:
- Grows best from seed, cutting, or transplant
- When to plant winter savory in Arizona: February – April and October – November
- Harvest leaves anytime.
- Good to Know: Perennial with stronger flavor than summer savory.
Stevia
How to grow Stevia:
- Grows best from transplant
- Plant transplants outside: February – April and October – November
- Harvest leaves before flowering for best sweetness; can do multiple cuttings per season.
- Good to know: Tender perennial often grown as an annual in colder areas. Prefers well-drained soil and needs afternoon shade. Leaves can be dried and used as a natural sweetener. Thyme can be hit or miss for me year to year. Some years it struggles, and this year it’s thriving.
Read this article for more information about how to grow stevia.
Thyme
How to grow Thyme:
- Grows best from transplant
- When to plant thyme in Arizona: February – April and October – November
- Harvest thyme by clipping stems as needed. Harvest just before flowering for best flavor.
- Good to Know: Perennial. Prefers well-drained soil. Drought tolerant; prefers afternoon shade. Plant loses some flavor after 2 years; replant from cuttings. Thyme can be hit or miss for me year to year. Some years it struggles, and this year it’s thriving.
Read this article for more information about how to grow thyme.
Turmeric
How to grow Turmeric:
- Grows from rhizomes
- Start seeds indoors: January – February
- Plant outside: March
- Harvest turmeric about 10 months after planting by carefully digging out rhizomes.
- Good to Know: Prefers shade when grown in Arizona. Keep an eye on moisture levels. Can rot if too wet, but needs regular water and feeding to grow well. Like ginger, turmeric can rot if it stays too wet, so shade and careful watering help.
Read this article for more information about how to grow turmeric.
Violas
How to grow Violas:
- Grows best from seed or transplant
- Start seeds indoors: August – November
- Plant seeds or transplants outside: October – January
- Months in bloom: March-May
- Harvest violet by picking flowers as they appear. Harvest new leaves.
- Good to know: Cool-season annual. Reseeds. Keep deadheaded to encourage blooms.
Read this article for more information about how to grow violas.
Herb Planting Guide FAQs
The herbs I have the most success with are basil, dill, cilantro, borage, and parsley among the annuals, and oregano, rosemary, sage, lavender, bay, and garlic chives among the perennials. Garlic chives are the easiest to start with. They take the heat and come back for years.
Plant cool-season annual herbs like cilantro, dill, and parsley in fall. Plant warm-season herbs like basil after your last frost, once the soil warms. Plant perennial herbs in fall, ideally October, so they get established before summer.
Rosemary, sage, oregano, thyme, lavender, bay, garlic chives, marjoram, lemon balm, lemongrass, and winter savory all grow as perennials here. They last longest when you plant them in fall and give most of them some afternoon shade.
Many can, especially perennials you got in the ground the fall before, so they had time to establish before the heat. Tough herbs like rosemary and lavender handle full summer sun. More tender ones like stevia, ginger, turmeric, chamomile, and French tarragon can struggle, rot, or burn up, so I give them shade and don’t count on all of them making it.
Rosemary and lavender are the two that take full desert sun without much trouble for me. Most other herbs do better with morning sun and afternoon shade, especially through summer.
Cilantro is a cool-season herb, so it sets seed and bolts as soon as spring warms up. Plant it in fall, harvest often, and sow a little at a time in different spots to keep a supply going longer.
Looking for more planting date information? The Fruit Planting Guide, Flower Planting Guide, Vegetable Planting Guide, and Vine Planting Guide are full of helpful details about when to plant here in the low desert of Arizona.
More Herb and Vegetable Planting Resources
Click on a question below to be taken to a blog post about the topic.
- What do you need to know about growing a vegetable garden in Arizona?
- Is it too hot to garden in the summer in Arizona?
- Which type of soil is best for gardening in Arizona?
- What is the best way to water vegetable gardens in Arizona?
- What is the best way to prevent pests when gardening in Arizona?
- Wondering how to get started with Square Foot Gardening?
- What about plant spacing in Square Foot Gardening?
- How do you get your soil ready for planting in Arizona?
- What should you do before starting a fall garden in Arizona?
- Wondering how to prepare for a spring garden in Arizona?
Not sure what to plant or how to grow it? The Ultimate Plant Index covers everything from ginger and cabbage to ranunculus—organized A–Z for easy browsing. It’s your go-to resource when you’re planning your garden or seeking care tips.
Sources:
Desert Gardening for Beginners
Does lemon balm need shade?
Yes, it does best with afternoon shade.