13 Herbs to Grow From Seed in January for Spring Harvests
In moderate climates, late January is prime for starting select herbs from seed indoors, and cold climate growers benefit from winter sowing. Seed starting gives seedlings a headstart on healthy roots and leafy growth for a harvest that begins in spring. Garden expert Katherine Rowe explores herbs to start this month relative to your climate’s frost date and garden plans.

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Sowing herbs in January gives them a head start on growth for a ready transition as temperatures warm. It also gives us a jump start on establishing the spring garden before other edibles are ready to plant.
Some herbs have lengthy germination times, making mid to late January well-suited for seeding, depending on your climate. Others grow more quickly into sturdy plants for transplanting post-frost. You can also grow herbs indoors year-round with the right cultural conditions (namely, plenty of sunlight or a grow light situation to meet their requirements).
Seeding herbs in late winter promises a spring harvest, with more to come throughout the warm season. For most growing zones, we’ll start seeds indoors this time of year using frost dates as a guide. If you live in a frost-free climate, you can look at sowing outdoors as temperatures suit your selection.
Zone Tips and Seeding Notes

For most growing zones, the primary ways to sow herb seeds in January are starting them indoors or winter sowing in protective containers outdoors. They’ll be ready to transplant to the garden bed or container after spring’s final frost and as the weather warms. Indoor seedlings benefit from a hardening-off period to acclimate gradually to garden conditions.
Your USDA growing zone helps determine which herbs are hardy in your area for perennializing or growing as annuals. For seed starting, frost dates are important guides. To time seed starting, use your area’s final frost date as a gauge. The last anticipated date frost varies by area. Many herbs offer the flexibility to continue growing indoors by meeting their primary cultural requirements.
For herbs to sow in January, we’ll look at those for sowing well before the final frost; some 10 to 12 weeks before, some 8 to 10 weeks, and others six to eight weeks prior. In zones 2-4, look at sowing in February or later to coordinate with the final frost. Or, sow now and plan to grow herbs indoors or via winter sowing.
Winter sowing is an easy seed-starting method that uses household supplies. Any clear, plastic container becomes a homemade mini greenhouse to insulate seeds, which hold until conditions are right for them to germinate. Experiment with more flexible timing as seeds germinate according to natural suitability and warming temperatures. Plan to winter sow seeds about eight weeks before the anticipated final frost.
Rosemary

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common name Rosemary |
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botanical name Salvia rosmarinus |
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sun requirements Full sun |
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height 3-6’ |
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hardiness zones 8-10 |
Rosemary’s form and fragrance make it a favorite in the garden and the kitchen. In early summer, small blue blooms cover the stems, adding visual interest to needle-like evergreen foliage and attracting pollinators.
Rosemary has a long germination time, and starting them from seed 10 to 12 weeks before frost is ideal. Transplant them in warm soils, 65-70°F (18-21°C).
Rosemary leaves and flowers have a lemony, cypress, camphor scent and flavor. A Mediterranean native, rosemary thrives in heat and well-draining soil. It’s a drought-tolerant, carefree perennial with multi-season appeal.
Chives

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common name Chives |
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botanical name Allium schoenoprasum |
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sun requirements Full sun to partial shade |
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height 1’ |
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hardiness zones 4-8 |
Cold-hardy, durable chives are among the first to pop up in spring and one of the easiest to grow. The leaves and flowers are edible, with lavender pom-pom blooms emerging in spring and early summer, drawing pollinators. Finely bladed blue-green foliage bears a subtle onion flavor.
The low-maintenance heirlooms are fast-growing and drought-tolerant. Winter hardy, chives enter dormancy over the winter in cold climates. In mild climates, they remain semi-evergreen. Chives prefer cool, moderate temperatures and fade in hot southern summers with high humidity.
Chives have a long garden history, cultivated since the Middle Ages in Europe and for over 4,000 years in China. They’re ornamental in perennial borders, edible compositions, and containers. Look for garlic chives, too – a relative of common chives but with larger, brighter green blades and a robust garlic flavor. Allium tuberosum grows as a lovely ornamental herb with a graceful habit and white flower clusters, along with deer resistance.
Wild Bergamot

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common name Wild Bergamot |
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botanical name Monarda fistulosa |
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sun requirements Full sun to partial shade |
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height 2-4’ |
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hardiness zones 3-9 |
Wild bergamot (Monarda or bee balm) is native to the eastern U.S. and is a favorite performer due to its outstanding scarlet blooms and aromatic leaves. Two-inch flowers with flared petals cluster on stems above minty foliage. With its bright, tubular blooms, wild bergamot attracts hummingbirds and beneficial insects.
Monarda delights with a long bloom season from early summer through fall. Enjoy the edible flowers and minty leaves as a fresh garnish for salads and beverages, or dry them for use in cooking. Indoors or in enter sowing, sow seeds eight to ten weeks before freezing conditions pass. Direct sow two weeks before the last frost.
Wild bergamot does best with plenty of air circulation, organic soils, and consistent moisture. Deadhead spent blooms to prolong flowering and prevent reseeding. Monarda spreads by both seeds and rhizomes. Divide and weed out volunteers to control the spread.
Parsley

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common name Parsley |
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botanical name Petroselinum crispum |
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sun requirements Full sun to partial shade |
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height 12-18” |
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hardiness zones 3-9 |
Parsley thrives in cool conditions and is a beautiful addition to spring displays. Use it as a filler among ornamentals in containers or in front of the border, paired with blooming annuals like pansies and snapdragons.
Parsley’s fanning leaves are flat or curly, depending on the variety. They bring a refreshing, minty, and peppery flavor, fresh and dried. Sow these indoors six to eight weeks before your final frost.
Grow parsley as an annual to enjoy its first-year leaves. In the second year, the bienniels produce flowers, and the leaves become bitter before they die back after seeding.
Oregano

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common name Oregano |
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botanical name Origanum spp. |
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sun requirements Full sun |
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height 6”-3’ |
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hardiness zones 3-10 |
Oregano’s mounding habit, delicate foliage, and tiny pink, purple, or white blooms make it as pretty in the perennial border as in the edible landscape.
Start oregano six to eight weeks in advance of the spring’s passing frost. Warm soils promote germination, and a heat mat is handy to create 70°F (21°C) and warmer conditions.
Native to Mediterranean climates, the cold-hardy herb prefers arid conditions and struggles in overly wet sites and humid situations. Provide regular moisture, and in hot zones, offer protection from the intense afternoon sun. Oregano has the potential to spread aggressively in optimal growing conditions. Grow it in containers or raised beds as a means of control.
Dill

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common name Dill |
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botanical name Anethum graveolens |
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sun requirements Full sun |
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height 30-36” |
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hardiness zones 2-11 |
Dill has aromatic foliage to use as a flavorful garnish and in pickling. It also supports swallowtail butterflies. Young butterflies feed on the nectar-rich flowers, while caterpillars rely on leaves.
Dill has sensitive roots that are susceptible to disturbance during transplanting. Sow them in soil blocks or biodegradable pots to minimize disruption eight to ten weeks prior. Direct sow them outdoors a couple of weeks before the last frost.
Use them as a pollinator addition to the mix, and let some go to flower, deadheading to prevent reseeding. Dill spreads readily without clipping blooms before they go to seed.
Lemon Balm

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common name Lemon Balm |
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botanical name Melissa officinalis |
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sun requirements Full sun to partial shade |
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height 2-3’ |
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hardiness zones 3-7 |
Lemon balm is a bright perennial with lemon-scented leaves for a burst of citrus. Enjoy the aroma and flavor as you brush by and in teas and beverages, soups, sauces, and more.
Lemon balm has a mounding habit and oval or heart-shaped bright green leaves, some varieties with variegation. The low-growers are dense and produce small bloom spikes in summer and fall. Fresh new leaves are the most flavorful.
Lemon balm takes off in rich soils with good drainage. They spread easily (and at times aggressively) and reseed after flowering. Trimming and deadheading keep them in check and promote a fresh flush of leaves. Grow lemon balm in containers and raised beds as trailing accents, and to prevent them from getting out of bounds.
Mint

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common name Mint |
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botanical name Mentha spp. |
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sun requirements Full sun to partial shade |
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height 6-36” |
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hardiness zones 3-11 |
Mint forms a low-growing carpet of freshly scented leaves. Spearmint (Mentha spicata) and peppermint (Mentha x piperita) are popular species and extremely easy to grow. Cultivars like applemint, pineapple, orange, and chocolate lend unique undertones to mint fragrance and flavor.
The rugged herb spreads readily and escapes into adjacent areas if not controlled. Harvest mint leaves frequently to enjoy and to limit spreading, flowering, and seed production. Mint makes an excellent container-grown selection. The stems, even those trailing from containers, root easily with soil contact.
Start mint six to eight weeks before the final frost. It grows best in consistently moist, well-drained soils. Dappled light or afternoon shade is best in areas with hot summers.
Thyme

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common name Thyme |
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botanical name Thymus spp. |
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sun requirements Full sun |
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height 1-18” |
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hardiness zones 4-9 |
Thyme and its many species and cultivars lend a variety of flavors to the kitchen. Common thyme (Thymus vulgaris) is used most for culinary purposes with a minty clove fragrance. Lemon, orange, and nutmeg are other varieties with unique aromas and flavors. Thyme is versatile with culinary and ornamental uses, fitting into small spaces as a carefree, durable herb.
Though the plants are tough, thyme features petite leaves on wiry stems for a delicate look. Creeping thyme (Thymus serpyllum) forms a groundcover, and wooly thyme (Thymus praecox) is useful as a turf alternative. Thyme also works in areas between stepping stones and along rocky ledges. Its small flowers attract pollinators.
Thyme does well sown six to eight weeks before you intend to translate. It needs warm soils (70-80°F or 21-27°C) for best germination.
Savory

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common name Savory |
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botanical name Satureja spp. |
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sun requirements Full sun |
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height 1-2’ |
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hardiness zones 5-10 |
Look to savory for an herb that stands up to hot summers and cold winters with a flavor similar to thyme. Start seeds indoors or via winter sowing eight to ten weeks before transplanting.
Winter savory, botanically known as Satureja montana, is a low-growing perennial with fast growth and edible leaves and flowers. Plants have a peppery spice flavor, used fresh or dried for salads, stews, meats, and sauces.
Satureja hortensis is summer savory, an annual cousin to the perennial winter savory. Summer savory has a milder peppery flavor. While plants grow quickly, they don’t thrive in wet conditions, including high humidity. Opt for the native Georgia savory (Clinopodium georgianum) or winter savory in hot, humid climates with frequent rainfall. Savory tolerates poor soils and occasionally dry conditions.
Sage

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common name Sage |
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botanical name Salvia officinalis |
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sun requirements Full sun to partial shade |
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height 1-2’ |
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hardiness zones 4-8 |
Sage is a favorite for its earthy notes and velvety leaves. Varieties in blue-gray, gold, purple, and tricolor spice up the arrangement. They make excellent sensory, rock garden, and perennial border additions, as well as culinary selections. Both the leaves and flowers are edible.
Common sage (Salvia officinalis) is extremely cold hardy. The Mediterranean native thrives in heat and medium to dry soils—even poor ones—as long as they’re well draining.
Look for S. officinalis ‘Berggarten’ (also called ‘Herrenhausen’) for increased mildew resistance. It has broad, silvery leaves and lavender bloom spikes in summer. ‘Berggarten’ is a recipient of the Royal Horticultural Society’s Award of Garden Merit for its ornament and performance.
Catnip

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common name Catnip |
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botanical name Nepeta cataria |
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sun requirements Full sun to partial shade |
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height 3’ |
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hardiness zones 3-9 |
Catnip (a catmint in the Nepeta genus) is a feline favorite but also makes a relaxing mint-lemon-flavored tea for people. The masses of white or lavender flowers appear in early to mid-summer above soft green leaves. Pollinators frequent the tubular blooms.
Sow seeds six to eight weeks before hardening off outdoors. Use catmint fresh or dried by cutting the stems back to about 4” above the ground. Then, hang the stems to dry for future use in cat toys or your teacup. Keep drying leaves away from curious cats.
Catnip has a rangy habit and reseeds aggressively. Cut stems back after flowering to promote new growth while discouraging seed production. Pinching regularly helps maintain a tidier, fuller form. Catnip grows well in containers, hanging baskets, and in-ground beds.
Stevia

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common name Stevia |
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botanical name Stevia rebaudiana |
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sun requirements Full sun to partial shade |
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height 18-30” |
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hardiness zones 10-11 |
Stevia packs a punch of zero-calorie sweetness, fresh or dried. With a taste much sweeter than cane sugar, using only a little reaches peak sweetness. Leaves are sweetest as they get close to flowering in late summer.
Sow stevia indoors eight to ten weeks before moving seedlings outside as the weather warms. Sweetleaf also grows well as a houseplant, making it easy to harvest and naturally sweeten beverages and desserts. Leafy and compact, stevia grows well in containers.