17 Herbs With White Flowers

White flowers enchant visitors to moon gardens and enhance walks at dusk and dawn. The soft light illuminates white petals for a delightful show. Place two chairs and a small table in the center of a garden with a border of white herbs, and enjoy aromatic tea parties as often as you’d like. 

White flowering herbs provide foliage and flowers with dozens of uses. Dry chamomile flowers for tea or chop fresh oregano into a bean stew. Cilantro brightens up tacos and fresh dishes, while chickweed makes a refreshing early spring salad.

Not only are they tasty seasonings—herbs create blossoms with nectar and pollen for bugs, birds, and mammals. Invite life with these unique species, and enhance your fruit and vegetable pollination success by planting them around other crops. 

These 17 herbs with white flowers are favorites of gardeners worldwide. Try two or three today and start an herb garden, or tuck them in amongst your vegetables!

German Chamomile

	botanical name Matricaria chamomilla
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 3 feet
	hardiness zones 2-8

My all-time favorite herb is chamomile. This annual produces white and yellow flowers that make a delicious and calming tea. With ten plants in an herb garden, you’ll have enough flowers to make herbal tea all year. 

German chamomile is the annual chamomile, and its flowers are better tasting and milder than other chamomiles. Roman chamomile is a perennial type, however, its flowers tend to leave a bitter taste in teas. I recommend using the German type for edible purposes, and the Roman type for alternative lawns or as a ground cover. 

German chamomile performs best from seeds—plant seeds indoors two weeks before your last average frost date. Keep them moist, and they’ll sprout in a few days up to a few weeks. Transplant them outside after your last average frost date. 

Basil

	botanical name Ocimum basilicum
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 1-3 feet
	hardiness zones 10

An Italian cuisine favorite, basil has a punchy flavor that meshes well with fresh tomatoes and cheese. Pasta sauce isn’t the same without a healthy helping of basil! This herb grows dainty little white flowers on green spikes. They attract plenty of bees and pollinators.

In warm winter zones 10 and above, basil grows perennially. In zone nine and below, treat basil as an annual. It cannot tolerate frost or freezing conditions.

Grow basil from seeds or starts at your local nursery. Sow seeds outside once the danger of frost has passed, and keep them moist but not soggy. With consistent full sun and moisture, your seeds will sprout into seedlings after a week up to a month later. 

Yerba Buena

	botanical name Clinopodium douglasii
	sun requirements Partial shade
	height 6 inches
	hardiness zones 7-10

An Oregon native perennial, yerba buena has a wonderful history in the United States. San Francisco’s previous name was Yerba Buena, and Indigenous groups there have used this herb for hundreds of years. The Spanish name yerba buena means “good herb.” It creeps prostrate to the ground and, in spring, sprouts tiny white flowers above its leaf junctions. 

Use yerba buena leaves to make tea. Harvest fresh leaves for fresh tea, or dry the leaves and store them in an airtight container. Then, you have dried tea leaves for the whole year. This perennial dies back in the winter, so drying its leaves is a wonderful way to preserve its flavor when it stops growing. 

Find native plant starts online or at local nurseries. This herb also sprouts from seeds and cuttings. Sow seeds during fall, and they’ll sprout in spring when the weather warms.

Thyme

	botanical name Thymus vulgaris
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 6-12 inches
	hardiness zones 5-9

A culinary herb from the Mediterranean, thyme is a relative of oregano, marjoram, and savory. Its tiny leaves contain a strong fragrance that some consider milder than oregano. Thyme grows like a small shrub, and its stems sometimes fall and root in the soil. One plant creeps over time and creates a large clump of green foliage and white flowers.

Many thymes exist, from exclusive culinary types to ornamental garden ones. Try ‘Golden’ thyme for yellow foliage. ‘Elfin’ is an incredible ornamental type with tiny fuzzy leaves. In full sun, it makes an excellent hardy ground cover.

Grow thyme from seeds, cuttings, or divisions. Many nurseries have seeds and mature plants, and online retailers often carry seeds. Start them in the spring after all danger of frost has passed, and keep them moist until they germinate. 

Greek Oregano

	botanical name Origanum vulgare
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 1-3 feet
	hardiness zones 4-8

Offering plentiful nectar for bees, scented foliage for cooks, and a wonderful habit for gardeners, Greek oregano shines as a culinary herb in gardens and windowsills. This perennial sprouts ample green, scented leaves and clusters of white flowers with tiny markings. 

Honeybees love this type arguably more than we humans do! Every year, they cover my bush when it blooms. There are many types of oregano, and I suggest choosing the one you like best. The Greek type is best for cooking, although other cultivars exist, like ‘Aureum’ with golden foliage. 

Oregano starts from seeds or transplants. Find mature plants at local nurseries for plants adapted to your local climate. Seeds are available from most online seed retailers. Start seeds outside after the danger of frost has passed and when nights are warm. Keep them moist, and they’ll sprout in one to two weeks.

Winter Savory

	botanical name Satureja montana
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 1-1.5 feet
	hardiness zones 5-10

This herb’s name is fitting for a plant that enhances savory foods like chicken, soups, and stews. This type is a perennial shrub that thrives in full sun, among other herbs like sage, marjoram, and oregano. In midsummer, the shrub produces dozens of white mint-like flowers. 

Winter savory is slightly more bitter than its relative summer savory, known botanically as Satureja hortensis. Winter savory is the better choice in an herb garden—its perennial nature makes it easy to care for. 

Grow winter savory from starts or seeds. Transplant starts outside after the danger of frost has passed or two months before your first average frost date in summer. Start seeds indoors a month before your last average frost date. Keep them well-lit, moist, and warm, and they’ll germinate in one to three weeks.

Lemon Balm

	botanical name Melissa officinalis
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 2-3 feet
	hardiness zones 3-7

Grown around the world, lemon balm is a delightful perennial herb in the mint family. Its leaves emit a distinct smell when crushed that repels mosquitoes and garden pests. Lemon balm’s white flowers are tiny, but en masse, they are a sight to see.

Like mint, lemon balm spreads rapidly and readily, and it sometimes escapes into natural areas. It uses seeds rather than runners to spread and quickly takes over bare soil. If you’d like this plant but want to avoid its invasiveness, cut off the flowers after they bloom. This prevents seed formation, which helps limit lemon balm spread. It makes a lovely container plant too.

To grow lemon balm, acquire seeds, cuttings, or root divisions. Plant any of the above after the last frost date in your area when the weather is still mild and cool. Keep them well watered, and they’ll be thriving by the time summer arrives. Once established, lemon balm is drought tolerant. 

Catnip

	botanical name Nepeta cataria
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 3-4 feet
	hardiness zones 3-9

If you have cats, you must plant catnip! This perennial herb from the Mediterranean drives feline friends wild and grows light lavender to white flowers. A chemical called nepetalactone affects cats in unique ways, and it also repels mosquitoes! Grow catnip alongside lemon balm to create an effective pest barrier.

Catnip makes a fantastic treat for kitties, and the leaves are edible, both fresh and dried. Dried catnip lasts at least a year and allows you to give it as a treat when it is no longer growing. Catnip also makes an excellent calming tea, especially when sweetened with honey and lemon. 

Grow catnip from seeds in spring. Plant them in full sun after the danger of frost has passed. Keep them well watered, and seedlings should sprout in one to two weeks.

Chervil

	botanical name Anthriscus cerefolium
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 1-2 feet
	hardiness zones 7-9

A parsley lookalike, chervil is an annual herb with a slight hint of licorice flavor. It adds a delicious flavoring to fish, poultry, and vegetables. In warm winter areas, it may grow biennially and produce white heads of flowers in its second year. In all other areas, it thrives for the summer and produces lots of flavorful foliage before dying with the first freeze. 

Chervil is widespread in the Middle East, Russia, and the Caucasus, and it is less common in North America. In other countries this herb has plenty of uses—chefs utilize it in butter, omelets, soups, and stews. 

Chervil sprouts easily from seed in spring. Plant seeds after the danger of frost has passed and when nightly temperatures are above 50°F (10°C). Situate them in an area with full sun, and avoid disturbing their sensitive roots. Water the soil, and ensure the seeds don’t dry out. Within two weeks, you should have a few dozen chervil seedlings.

Watercress

	botanical name Nasturtium officinale
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 1-3 feet
	hardiness zones 3-11

An aquatic herb, watercress uniquely inhabits wet and marshy environments with lots of available moisture. If you have a pond, container water habitat, or a particularly wet spot in the yard, try watercress! It sprouts white mustard-like flowers in cross-shapes. This herb attracts a plethora of wildlife, like bugs, deer, and ducks. 

Watercress tends to escape cultivation and creep into natural waterways, where it chokes out native plant vegetation. Plant watercress in a container or contained pond to limit its spread, and harvest the flowers to eat before they set seeds. The foliage and flowers have a pungent mustard flavor that meshes well with salads, pickled foods, and charcuterie boards.

Sow watercress seeds in containers or the ground, as they don’t transplant well. Keep them moist under full sun, and they’ll germinate in seven to fourteen days. 

Horehound

	botanical name Marrubium vulgare
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 1-2 feet
	hardiness zones 3-7

A mint family relative, this herb has flavored beer, candy, and soda for decades. It has a savory, sweet taste that some consider bitter. Use it in teas with honey and lemon for a wonderfully herbal concoction.

Horehound sprouts white mint flowers on clusters along the leaf junctions. Because it is a mint relative, it creeps readily in gardens and natural areas. I recommend planting it in a container to limit its spread. It is considered an invasive species in numerous areas of the US, so check with your extension office if you’re unsure it is suited to your region.

Grow horehound from seeds or cuttings—plant either in spring after there are no more hard freezes. Keep them moist while they establish, and they’ll sprout new growth in seven to fourteen days.

Marjoram

	botanical name Origanum majorana
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 1-2 feet
	hardiness zones 9-10

Marjoram’s sweet flavor and oregano-like taste make it a perfect addition to any herb garden. This perennial is winter sensitive, although it sometimes escapes winters unscathed. If you live in zone eight or lower, the best way to keep your marjoram alive is by planting it in a container and moving it under cover when the weather gets cold.

Marjoram’s floral scent and bounty of flowers make it the perfect pollinator magnet. Plant one alongside other perennial herbs to attract birds, butterflies, and bees. This plant’s flavor meshes well with beans, pot roasts, and roasted vegetables. 

Grow marjoram from seeds or start in spring after the last freeze. Plant seeds in moist, well-draining soil in full sun. Marjoram appreciates moisture, nutrients, and direct sunlight during the growing season.

Cilantro

	botanical name Coriandrum sativum
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 1-2 feet
	hardiness zones 2-11

An annual favorite in North America, cilantro reigns supreme as the go-to herb on the West Coast. Cilantro doubles as two herbs, as its seeds are the seasoning “coriander,” and they’re necessary to many different cuisines. The foliage tastes like soap to some people, although for most, it is an incredibly pungent fresh herb that meshes well with onions, salsas, and tacos.

Cilantro readily sprouts from seeds. Plant them a half-inch deep in the soil, and water them well. After one to two weeks, your cilantro seedlings should sprout.

Caraway

	botanical name Carum carvi
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 1-2 feet
	hardiness zones 3-9

Caraway is a biennial plant with parsley-like divided foliage. The seeds, like coriander, are toasted for sautés, casseroles, and soups. The foliage and pale white flowers add a pleasant flavor to soups and salads. Surprisingly, if you boil its roots they are edible like any other root vegetable.

Caraway is not native to North America. However, it’s proliferous in disturbed areas, roadsides, and marshy meadows. Plant it in full sun with regular water during midsummer, so it overwinters and flowers the next year.

Grow caraway from seeds planted in late summer or early spring. Plant it in a permanent spot, as it needs two years to produce enough seasonings for kitchen use. Keep the seeds moist, and they’ll sprout in seven to ten days.

White Sage

	botanical name Salvia alpina
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 3-5 feet
	hardiness zones 8-11

Now endangered in the wild, white sage has had a recent boom in popularity. Its silver foliage and bright white flowers make it a stunning addition to the herb garden.

White sage prefers full sun, low water, and well-draining soil. It thrives in similar conditions to manzanita and coyote bushes in dry, chaparral ecosystems. Plant it in a rock garden to bring herbs into other areas of your landscape. 

Only buy white sage from reputable nurseries and seed suppliers that grow this herb on their own. There are numerous indigenous peoples who consider this a sacred plant. Wild harvesting also contributes to this species’ decline. Plant sustainably sourced seeds in spring once the weather warms. Keep the soil moist while they germinate, and cut back on watering once they grow a few inches tall.

Feverfew

	botanical name Tanacetum parthenium
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 1-3 feet
	hardiness zones 5-8

I plant this herb to help with pest control. It effectively reduces insect pests with its strong fragrance. It is so strong that it doesn’t cook well, although it is an attractive pollinator plant for any herb garden. Feverfew is perennial, and it spreads readily by seed. Plant one, and you’ll have enough feverfew for decades to come!

My favorite feverfews are double-petalled heirloom cultivars like ‘White Wonder’ and ‘Tetra White.’ Their flowers are so stuffed they look like completely different plants than the species kind! For an incredibly tough plant, try the species type Tanacetum parthenium.

Start feverfew from seeds in spring after the last frost date. Keep them moist under full sun, and they’ll germinate in ten to fourteen days. 

Chickweed

	botanical name Stellaria media
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 4-20 inches
	hardiness zones 4-11

Widely thought of as a weed, chickweed is an edible herb with a high nutritional content! It spreads easily by tiny seeds that quickly blanket landscapes, which is why this plant is classed as an invasive species in many areas. When mature, chickweed produces dozens of tiny star-shaped flowers. Eat both the foliage and flowers cooked or fresh.

Chickweed sprouts readily from seeds. Plant them in containers in early spring, a week or two before your last average frost date. Chickweed appreciates cool, wet conditions and thrives under full or partial sun. After a few days, the seeds should sprout.