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Arizona Herb Planting Guide: A Visual Guide for Low Desert Herbs

By: Angela Judd | April 30, 2025

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, which includes elevations below 3500 ft in the Southwest, such as the Phoenix and Tucson metro areas.

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.

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.

See it in my shop

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:

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

Close-up of bay laurel leaves with smooth, elongated green blades and prominent veins, growing on branches against a blurred background of more foliage. A circular watermark appears in the lower right corner. — 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

A lush green plant with clusters of light purple, spiky flowers blooms in a bright, sunlit garden, surrounded by other green foliage. — 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:

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)

A cluster of bright yellow calendula flowers and green foliage growing outdoors in sunlight, with many flower buds and blooms visible against a blurred natural background—an inspiring scene for learning how to grow calendula. — Calendula

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.

Read this article for more information about how to grow chamomile.

Chives

Close-up of chive plants with slender green stems and purple flower buds, some beginning to blossom, in a lush, outdoor garden setting. — 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.

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.

Read this article for more information about how to grow cilantro.

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
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. Attracts swallowtail caterpillars. Trap crop for aphids; can attract 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.

Read this article for more information about how to grow fennel.

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 a reliable perennial herb in Arizona.

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.

Read this article for more information about how to grow ginger.

Hyssop (Agastache)

A cluster of purple hyssop flowers with green leaves, growing closely together outdoors in bright natural light. — Hyssop

How to grow Hyssop:

Grows best from seed
Start seeds indoors: January
Plant seeds or transplants outside: February – March
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 transplant
When to plant lavender in Arizona: October – 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.

Read this article for more information about how to grow lavender.

Lemon Balm

Close-up of vibrant green mint leaves with serrated edges, densely packed together, showing healthy growth and lush foliage. — 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.

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

Close-up of fresh oregano plants with soft green leaves and small stems, growing densely together. — 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.

Read this article for more information about how to grow mint.

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 in Arizona: 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 nasturtium.

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.

Read this article for more information about how to grow oregano.

Papalo

A lush green plant with small, rounded leaves and thin stems growing densely outdoors in a garden setting. — 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.

Parsley (Italian – Flat)

A person harvesting fresh green parsley, placing it into a woven basket outdoors in a garden—a rewarding moment for anyone learning how to grow parsley. — Flat Parsley

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.

Read this article for more information about how to grow parsley.

Parsley (Curly)

Close-up of lush, curly parsley leaves growing in a garden with sunlight highlighting their vibrant green color. — Curly Parsley

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.

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.

Read this article for more information about how to grow rosemary.

Saffron Crocus

A close-up of a purple crocus flower with yellow and red stigma and stamens, blooming above brown soil. — 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.

Read this article for more information about how to grow sage.

Savory (Summer)

A dense cluster of green, slender leaves and thin stems belonging to a savory herb plant, growing closely together in an outdoor garden setting. — Summer Savory

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)

A honeybee hovers near white flowers on a lush green plant, surrounded by dense foliage and sunlight. — Winter Savory

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

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.

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.

Read this article for more information about how to grow turmeric.

Violas

A close-up of vibrant yellow, purple, and white pansy flowers—classic cool-season companion plants—growing in a sunlit garden, with green foliage in the background. — Viola

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.

Looking for more planting date information? The Fruit Planting Guide, Flower Planting Guide, and Vegetable Planting Guide are full of helpful details about when to plant here in the low desert of Arizona.