18 Herbs to Plant in Fall: Grow Now

If you’re one of those gardeners who believes fall isn’t just a season of cleaning and preparing for winter, then you’re in the right place.

Shorter days and reduced heat stress allow herbs to establish their robust rooting system before winter.

Hardier herbs like rosemary and thyme planted in fall can be harvested through winter in milder climates.

By planting herbs in fall, you set them up for a strong start in spring. During the cooler months, they focus on building sturdy root systems, which prepare them for vigorous growth once warmer weather returns.

Why Fall is the Perfect Time to Plant Herbs?

Fall isn’t just about winding down the garden—it’s actually one of the best times to start herbs.

The cooler weather, fewer pests, and gentle rains create ideal conditions for strong, healthy growth. Here’s why planting herbs in autumn gives you a big advantage:

• Cooler, gentler weather – Lower temperatures and humidity take the stress off herbs, helping them build strong roots instead of bolting or battling disease.
• Stronger root development – Shorter days encourage herbs like rosemary and thyme to establish deep roots, making them more resilient through winter in mild climates.
• Fewer pests and diseases – With bugs and fungal problems fading away, your herbs stay healthier and require less maintenance.
• Steady moisture – Autumn rains provide consistent hydration, creating perfect conditions for quick growers like cilantro and parsley to thrive before the first frost.

18 Herbs to Plant in Fall for Your Garden

Fall isn’t just about clearing the garden and preparing for winter—it’s actually one of the best times to start growing fresh herbs.

The cooler temperatures, gentle rainfall, and fewer garden pests create ideal conditions for herbs to establish strong root systems.

Plant these herbs now, and you’ll enjoy fresh harvests through the cooler months while giving your garden a fantastic head start for spring. Here are 18 wonderful herbs that absolutely love being planted in fall.

1. Cilantro

If you’ve ever struggled with cilantro bolting too quickly in summer heat, fall is your redemption season. This flavorful herb absolutely thrives in cool, gentle autumn days, producing steady, leafy growth instead of rushing to seed.

Sow cilantro seeds directly into loose, well-draining soil—it really doesn’t like being transplanted, so plant it exactly where you want it to grow.

Keep the soil slightly moist, and within just a few weeks, you’ll be rewarded with fresh, aromatic bunches perfect for salsas and soups. Harvest the outer leaves regularly to keep them tender and encourage continued growth.

2. Rosemary

This evergreen Mediterranean herb becomes much stronger when planted in fall. The cooler air temperatures encourage rosemary to focus its energy on developing robust roots rather than top growth, building the foundation it needs to thrive year after year.

Since rosemary seeds germinate incredibly slowly, start with a young plant from your local nursery. Give it a spot in full sun with sandy, well-draining soil, and resist the urge to overwater—soggy roots are rosemary’s biggest nemesis.

In milder climates, you can harvest fresh sprigs throughout winter, and by spring, your plant will be noticeably larger and bushier, ready to flavor all your favorite roasts and breads.

3. Mint

Mint ranks among the easiest herbs you can grow, and fall planting brings out richer, more intense flavors in its leaves. The cooler temperatures seem to concentrate the essential oils that make mint so refreshing and aromatic.

This herb thrives in partial shade with consistently moist soil, but here’s a fair warning—mint spreads like wildfire. Plant it in containers or use underground barriers if you want to keep it from taking over your entire garden bed. Once mint gets established, it returns season after season with incredible vigor, providing endless fresh sprigs for teas, cocktails, and desserts.

4. Sorrel

Sorrel brings a delightfully sharp, lemony flavor to your herb collection, and fall’s mild weather keeps its leaves perfectly tender and flavorful. This cool-season green actually performs much better in autumn than in the heat of summer.

Plant sorrel in moist, nutrient-rich soil where it gets partial to full sun. It handles cooler nights beautifully and often behaves like a perennial, surprising you by popping back up year after year.

Regular harvesting of young, tender leaves keeps the plant productive and prevents it from becoming too wild and woody.

5. Feverfew

While many people grow feverfew for its traditional medicinal properties, this herb also adds charming daisy-like flowers to your garden. Fall planting gives feverfew plenty of time to develop deep, strong roots before winter sets in.

Start with either seeds or young plants, choosing a spot with well-drained soil and full sun exposure. Feverfew doesn’t demand much attention once established, making it perfect for gardeners who prefer low-maintenance herbs.

By the time spring arrives, you’ll have attractive clumps of greenery that send up cheerful white blooms throughout the growing season.

6. Oregano

Oregano absolutely loves the cool, steady pace that autumn provides. When you plant it in fall, oregano can channel all its energy into developing robust roots, which translates to stronger plants and more intense flavors come spring.

This sun-loving herb prefers well-drained soil and thrives with minimal fuss once established. Rather than starting from seeds, which can be slow, try cuttings or small nursery plants for quicker, more reliable results.

Give your oregano an occasional light pruning to encourage bushier growth—this ensures you’ll have plenty of fragrant sprigs for pizza, pasta, and Mediterranean dishes.

7. Parsley

Parsley grows absolutely beautifully in fall because cooler weather prevents it from bolting to seed prematurely. Instead of rushing through its life cycle, parsley rewards fall gardeners with lush, full foliage that can last well into the cold season.

You can sow parsley seeds directly into the soil, though they’re notoriously slow to germinate, or start with seedlings indoors and transplant them once they’re sturdy enough. Either way, provide consistent moisture and partial to full sun for the best results.

A well-established parsley plant often overwinters successfully in protected areas, giving you an incredibly early harvest the following spring.

8. Winter Savory

While winter savory might not be as famous as thyme or sage, it deserves a place in every fall herb garden. Its sharp, peppery flavor pairs beautifully with beans, roasted meats, and hearty winter stews.

Plant winter savory in full sun with soil that drains quickly—this hardy perennial actually prefers slightly dry conditions once established. The cooler fall weather doesn’t bother it at all, and surprisingly, it becomes quite drought-tolerant after its first year.

Having winter savory on hand through the colder months is like keeping a secret weapon in your culinary arsenal.

9. Lavender

While most people associate lavender with summer blooms, fall planting actually sets this fragrant herb up for long-term success. The cooler season allows young lavender plants to develop deep root systems without dealing with the stress of scorching summer heat.

Choose the sunniest location in your garden with sandy, well-drained soil—lavender absolutely hates having “wet feet.” Consider adding some mulch around the base for winter protection, especially if you live in colder regions.

By the time spring arrives, your lavender will be ready to send up those iconic purple flower spikes that attract beneficial pollinators and fill your garden with heavenly fragrance.

10. Garlic Chives

Garlic chives combine incredible hardiness with a wonderfully mild garlic flavor, making them an excellent choice for fall planting. Their flat, green leaves add a subtle garlic twist to soups, stir-fries, dumplings, and egg dishes.

Plant garlic chives in full sun or partial shade, in soil that stays moist but drains well. Once they’re established, these tough little herbs can survive frost and often return even stronger each subsequent year.

Keep harvesting the leaves regularly to maintain tenderness, and enjoy the bonus of edible white flowers that appear later in the season.

11. Lemon Balm

Lemon balm thrives in fall’s cool air, filling your garden with its incredibly refreshing citrus scent. As a member of the mint family, it grows quickly and spreads readily, so be prepared for its enthusiastic nature.

Give lemon balm a partially shaded spot with consistently moist soil, and it will settle in happily before winter arrives. Adding some mulch helps protect the roots in colder regions.

Come spring, lemon balm bursts back with incredible energy—snip those young, tender leaves for soothing teas, desserts, or simply crush them between your fingers to release their wonderfully calming aroma.

Also Read: 11 Herbs to Grow in Winter

12. Anise Hyssop

Anise hyssop serves double duty as both a culinary herb and an ornamental plant, with fragrant leaves and stunning purple flower spikes that pollinators absolutely adore. Fall planting helps it develop deep roots, ensuring a spectacular display the following year.

Sow seeds or plant young seedlings in well-drained soil with full sun exposure. While anise hyssop tolerates drought once established, consistent autumn moisture gives it the strongest possible start.

By next growing season, you’ll have a hardy perennial that’s every bit as beautiful as it is useful, with leaves perfect for brewing unique teas and culinary experiments.

13. Chervil

Chervil, sometimes nicknamed “gourmet’s parsley,” absolutely loves fall’s cool weather. Its delicate, fern-like leaves have a subtle, anise-like flavor that professional chefs particularly prize for French cuisine.

Direct sow chervil seeds into moist, fertile soil in a partially shaded location. The seeds germinate quickly, and since chervil really dislikes heat, autumn conditions are absolutely perfect for this herb.

Harvest the leaves while they’re young and tender for the best flavor—if you let some plants flower, chervil often reseeds itself, creating a natural cycle of fresh growth.

14. Thyme

Thyme represents the classic Mediterranean herb that truly thrives when planted in fall. The season’s cooler temperatures allow it to focus entirely on developing strong roots, which makes it much tougher and more resilient for winter weather.

Plant thyme in full sun with well-drained soil—it actually prefers conditions on the drier side rather than overly moist.

Once established, thyme becomes remarkably drought-tolerant and requires very little ongoing care. Come spring, you’ll have a fragrant carpet of tiny leaves that can flavor everything from roasts to stews, while also serving as attractive groundcover in your garden.

15. Roman Chamomile

Roman chamomile brings charm to any herb garden with its daisy-like flowers and sweet, apple-like fragrance. Planting it in fall gives chamomile plenty of time to build strength before producing its beloved blooms next season.

This herb enjoys full sun to light shade and well-drained soil conditions. Chamomile doesn’t mind a little neglect, actually making it quite forgiving for beginning gardeners.

By spring and summer, you’ll have beautiful blooms that are perfect for brewing soothing teas, plus soft groundcover that adds natural beauty to garden paths and borders.

Also Read: 15 Herbs that You Can Grow in Water All Year Round

16. Sage

Sage stands out as one of the hardiest perennial herbs that truly shines when planted in fall. Cooler weather allows it to develop deep, extensive roots, ensuring you’ll have a sturdy, incredibly flavorful plant for many growing seasons ahead.

Choose a sunny location with well-draining soil, as sage really doesn’t appreciate soggy root conditions. It’s relatively low-maintenance once established, needing only occasional light watering.

Fresh sage leaves become ready for harvesting fairly quickly, and they’re absolutely perfect for seasoning fall and winter dishes like roasted vegetables, savory breads, and hearty soups.

17. Horseradish

Horseradish offers bold, spicy flavor and actually prefers fall planting over spring. The cooler months allow this vigorous root herb to develop strong, deep roots that intensify dramatically in flavor over time.

Plant horseradish root cuttings (called “sets”) in loose, well-drained soil with plenty of room to spread—this herb can be quite vigorous in its growth habits. While it thrives best in full sun, horseradish tolerates light shade reasonably well.

By the following growing season, you’ll be rewarded with pungent, spicy roots that you can grate fresh for making homemade sauces and pickling.

18. Chives

Chives rank among the easiest herbs you can possibly add to a fall garden. Their mild oniony flavor and cheerful purple spring blossoms make them favorites for both kitchen use and landscape beauty.

Plant chives in full sun and fertile, consistently moist soil. They tolerate cool weather exceptionally well and often overwinter with absolutely no problems. Once spring arrives, chives bounce back incredibly quickly from their winter rest.

Also Read: 8 Best Herbs for Hanging Baskets

Conclusion

Planting herbs in the fall is all about matching them to your local climate and growing zone.

Cool-weather areas can focus on frost-tolerant greens like chives and parsley, while mild zones enjoy steady harvests of mint, lemon balm, and oregano.

In warmer regions, heat-loving herbs such as rosemary and lavender keep thriving well into the season. With the right choices, fall can be one of the most rewarding times to enjoy fresh, flavorful herbs straight from your garden.