Arizona Herb Planting Guide: A Visual Guide for Low Desert Herbs
Thinking about starting a garden? Herb gardening is a great way to begin. Many herbs are easy to grow and thrive year round in the low desert of Arizona. This Arizona Herb Planting Guide provides planting dates and other information for growing over 30 different herbs in the low desert of Arizona.
Growing seasons in Arizona are short, and timing is critical when planting. Use this Arizona Herb Planting Guide to learn when and how to plant each herb. When you plant at the correct time, seeds will sprout and transplants will become established in the optimal conditions for each plant.
With pictures and planting dates for over 30 herbs that grow well in the low desert of Arizona, you are sure to find one to try.
Be sure to check out the end of this Arizona Herb Planting Guide for links to articles about common questions about growing a garden in Arizona.
Disclaimer: this post contains affiliate links. See my disclosure policy for more information.
Arizona Herb Planting Guide: A Visual Guide for Low Desert Herbs
Click on herb name to go directly to that herb:
Amaranth
How to grow Amaranth:
Grows best from seed
When to plant amaranth: March – April and late July – early September
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.
Anise
How to grow Anise:
Grows best from seed
When to plant anise: February – April and October – November
Harvest seeds by clipping entire head and storing in paper bag until dry.
Good to Know: Annual. Anise grows about 2 feet tall.
Read this article for more information about how to grow basil.
Basil
How to grow Basil:
Grows best from seed or transplant; propagates by cutting
When to plant basil: Late February – May
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.
Bay
How to grow Bay:
Grows best from cutting or transplant
When to plant bay: Late February – April
Harvest dark leaves anytime. Use within 3-4 months for best flavor.
Good to Know: Perennial. New plantings are frost tender.
Bee Balm
How to grow Bee Balm:
Grows best from seed or transplant
When to plant bee balm: February – 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:
Grows best from seed
When to plant borage: 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.
Calendula (Pot Marigold)
How to grow Calendula:
Grows best from seed or transplant
When to plant calendula: Late September – 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.
Catnip
How to grow Catnip:
Grows best from seed or division; reseeds readily
When to plant catnip: 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
When to plant chamomile: December – April
Harvest chamomile when the petals are flat or beginning to fall back from bud. Air-dry or dry in dehydrator.
Good to Know: Cool-season annual. Grows best in cooler weather. Improves flavor of cabbage and onions.
Chives
How to grow Chives:
Grows best from seed or division
When to plant chives: 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 growth and flavor of carrots.
Cilantro
How to grow Cilantro:
Grows best from seed or transplant; reseeds readily
When to plant cilantro: 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.
Arizona Herb Planting Guide: A Visual Guide for Low Desert Herbs (continued)
Dill
How to grow Dill:
Grows best from seed; handle transplants carefully; reseeds readily
When to plant dill: 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. Attracts swallowtail caterpillars. Trap crop for aphids; can attract ladybugs.
Fennel
How to grow Fennel:
Grows best from seed; handle transplants carefully; reseeds readily
When to plant fennel: October – April
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.
Read this article for more information about how to grow garlic.
Garlic
How to grow Garlic:
Grows best from cloves
When to plant garlic: October
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.
Garlic Chives
How to grow Garlic Chives:
Grows best from transplant or division
When to plant garlic chives: October – April
Harvest stems by cutting down to base of plant as needed.
Good to Know: Garlic chives are a reliable perennial herb in Arizona. January is a good time to divide the overgrown clumps. Garlic chives should be covered during freezing temperatures.
Hyssop
How to grow Hyssop:
Grows best from seed
When to plant hyssop: 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. Companion plant to cabbage and grapes. Deters cabbage moths.
Lavender
How to grow Lavender:
Grows best from seed, cutting, or transplant
When to plant lavender: October – November and late February – April
Harvest stalks just as blooms begin to open.
Good to Know: Perennial. Grows best in sunny locations. Keep leaves dry and let plant dry out a bit between waterings. Needs well-draining soil. Spanish lavender varieties do well in the low desert of Arizona.
Lemon Balm
How to grow Lemon Balm:
Grows best from seed, cutting, layering, division, or transplant
When to plant lemon balm: 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.
Lemon Grass
How to grow Lemon Grass:
Grows best from division or transplant
When to plant lemon grass: February – April
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.
Lemon Verbena
How to grow Lemon Verbena:
Grows best from cutting or transplant
When to plant lemon verbena: February – April
Harvest lemon scented leaves as needed.
Good to Know: Frost-tender perennial. Needs well-draining soil.
Marjoram
How to grow Marjoram:
Grows best from cutting, division, or transplant
When to plant marjoram: 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
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.
Arizona Herb Planting Guide: A Visual Guide for Low Desert Herbs (continued)
Nasturtium
How to grow Nasturtium:
Grows best from seed
When to plant nasturtiums: October – January
Harvest leaves and flowers just before using. Harvest seed pods just before they turn from green to brown.
Good to know: Cool-season annual. Overly rich soil results in fewer blooms. Reseeds readily.
Read this article for more information about how to grow oregano.
Oregano
How to grow Oregano:
Grows best from cutting, division or transplant
When to plant oregano: 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.
Parsley (Italian - Flat)
How to grow Flat Parsley:
Grows best from seed or transplant
When to plant Italian parsley: 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 (Curly)
How to grow Curly Parsley:
Grows best from seed or transplant
When to plant curly parsley: 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.
Rosemary
How to grow Rosemary:
Grows best from cutting or transplant
When to plant rosemary: October – January
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.
Read this article for more information about how to grow sage.
Sage
How to grow Sage:
Grows best from division, layering, cutting, or seed
When to plant sage: 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.
Savory (Summer)
How to grow Summer Savory:
Grows best from seed, cutting, or transplant
When to plant summer savory: 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: February – April and October – November
Harvest leaves anytime.
Good to Know: Perennial with stronger flavor than summer savory.
Thyme
How to grow Thyme:
Grows best from seed, cutting, transplant, or divisions
When to plant thyme: November – April
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.
Turmeric
How to grow Turmeric:
Grows from rhizomes
When to plant turmeric: Late February – March
Harvest turmeric about 10 months after planting by carefully digging out rhizomes.
Good to Know: Annual. 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.
Violet
How to grow Violets
Grows best from seed or transplant
When to plant violets: October – November
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.
Desert Gardening for Beginners was a valuable resource as I learned to grow herbs in Arizona. I also used it as a reference in this Arizona Herb Planting Guide.
Want to learn more about herb and vegetable gardening in Arizona?
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