15 of the Best Herbs to Grow; Easy, No Fuss, Minimum Care

The following are some of the top herbs to grow, not just because of their popularity, but also because the are some of the easiest herbs to grow. Whether you want to plant them to bring interest to your gardens, use in your kitchens, or for home remedies, these 15 plants will form the basis to planning a good herb garden.

Herbs also have the use of being great companion plants for others in your gardens, so please see this section afterwards to see how you may use them for mutual beneficial planting.

1. Agrimony (Agrimonia Eupatoria)

A tough, easy herb that is best grown by seed. Planting out takes place in spring.

Yellow flowers form on tall spikes.

Make a herbal tea from the leaves and flowers of agrimony as a home remedy for diarrhea, and for heavy menstral bleeding.

If you have a sore throught, use the tea as a gargle.

2. Aloe Vera (Aloe Vera)

Aloe Vera is native to South Africa, and is a succulent. However, it can also be grown in pots in cold climates. It is a compact plant with small spines on the edges of the thick, fleshly leaves that when broken off, and the gel scraped out and applied to the skin can be used for burns, insect bites, sunburn rand ashes.

3. Borage (Borago)

Borage is one of my favorite herbs. The pretty bonnet-like flowers and so intensely blue, and these attact bees and butterflies to your garden. They self seed, and once established grow like a weed, so take care where you plant it. The flowers are edible and can be used in soups, stews, salads, teas and desserts. Borage is a very good companion plant to strawberries. As a tea it can be used as a mild laxative, calms the nervous system and boosts the adrenalin system. Do not take borage in any form if you have a liver complaint.

4. Catmint (Nepeta Cataria)

Catmint is said to have a sedative effect on cats and humans alike. Make a herbal tea from the leaves and flowers for a first aid remedy against colds, to reduce a fever, and for headaches and sore tummys. This is a mild herb that is very safe to use with babies and can be given to help with teething. In the garden it is a useful herb to attract the bees and butterflies, but is good for repelling bad bugs.