15 Essential Plants For Your Witchy Garden

What’s a witchy garden, you ask? It honors the ancient traditions of potion brewing, tea making, and herbal remedies. These plants will help you arm your kitchen arsenal with herbs that have dozens of uses. They grow resinous flowers or leaves that have pleasing aromas and flavors.

If you don’t intend to use the plants, you can still grow them and enjoy their ornamental qualities. Some have spooky charm, while others offer unique colors and shapes that are hard to find in the plant kingdom. No matter how you intend to use them, their ornamental, herbal, and fragrant qualities make them knockouts for any garden space.

German Chamomile

	botanical name Matricaria chamomilla
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 1-2’
	hardiness zones 2-8

German chamomile is a lovely annual herb that’s the common source of chamomile tea. The flowers and their petals have a sweet fragrance that resembles apples. The centers are bright yellow and white petals decorate them. The leaves are lacy and green; they sprout in rosettes when the plants are young. 

Grow German chamomile to make tea, to infuse desserts with the flavor, or for herbal dream work. They have a pleasant aroma and taste and are perfect for winding down at the end of the day. I like to brew chamomile tea before bed—it soothes the soul!

This plant often reseeds itself, meaning you’ll have dozens of new seedlings next spring. Leave plants after they flower so they self-sow, or find seeds online to grow more plants. This annual thrives from spring through fall, and it’ll die at the first frost date in autumn.

Lemon Balm

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

Lemon balm is a hardy perennial herb perfect for the witch in all of us! It has a pleasant, lemony scent for teas, incense, and beverages. Lemon balm’s genus Melissa comes from the Greek word for “honey bee,” as many people call it honey plant and it attracts bees. 

This herb has many uses—dry the leaves for tea, infuse them in a dessert syrup, or isolate the oil for remedy making. The Greeks considered this plant very special and believed using it would lead to a long life. Lemon balm is special indeed; it’s ideal for your herbal garden.

Start this perennial from seeds in fall or spring. For a fall sowing, plant seeds two months before your first average frost date. It’s best to sow them in spring one or two weeks after the last average frost date. No matter when you sow, keep the seedlings moist and give them full sun or partial shade. Try to keep this plant in a container if you live in an area where it is classed as an invasive species.

English Thyme

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

English thyme is a must-have witchy plant if you like to cook! It adds a savory, herbal flavor to soups, grains, and vegetables. It’s also a hardy perennial like lemon balm, and grows well throughout USDA hardiness zones 5 through 9. Treat it as an annual in other zones during the warm seasons.

This thyme grows low to the ground, with oval green-gray leaves and pink-white flowers. Both leaves and flowers are edible, although the flowers are milder and easier to eat fresh than the leaves. The English believed it lent courage to whoever had it during the late 1500s, and that it warded off nightmares. Put the dry leaves in a pouch under your pillow to enjoy the aroma and honor witches of past times.

English thyme is difficult but not impossible to start from seeds. The best method is to start them indoors a month or two before your last frost date in spring. Transplant the seedlings outdoors once the danger of frost passes, and give them regular water while they establish.

Broadleaf Sage

	botanical name Salvia officinalis
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 1-3’
	hardiness zones 4-8

Sage, like thyme, is perfect for herbalists who spend a lot of time in the kitchen. It’s incredibly fragrant and lends a savory flavor to meats, stews, and oven recipes. It’s also an ancient medicinal herb with a long history of usage. Grow it in your garden to partake in the tradition!

This sage sprouts wide, gray-green leaves with fuzz on them. Mature specimens bloom purple flower spikes that attract pollinating bees, flies, and butterflies. It’s a drought-tolerant evergreen shrub from the Mediterranean, so it’ll handle dry conditions in North America well once it establishes itself. Give your plants regular water their first year, then water once their soil dries every year after.

Start sage from potted plants, cuttings, or seeds. It sprouts roots readily from branch cuttings during spring through summer. Ask a neighbor with this plant for some stems, or find sage seeds online. Sow seeds indoors two months before your last frost date, then transplant the seedlings into your garden after the danger of freezing weather passes.

Common Mint

	botanical name Mentha spp.
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 18”
	hardiness zones 3-10

Mint is the herb for tea! It has dozens of varieties that lend sweet, pungent flavors to dishes and drinks. Use mint in tabbouleh, chimichurri, or similar dishes with lots of herbs. Mint is a classic plant to add to alcoholic beverages like mint juleps and mojitos. With so many uses, you’ll pick your plant often to take advantage of its fresh, aromatic leaves.

Mint sprouts lance-shaped leaves opposite each other on thick, square stems. The stems root readily underground and on top of the soil. Limit this spreader’s range by planting it in containers, raised beds, or planters. 

This perennial blooms white flowers in the summer that bees, flies, and other pollinating insects love visiting. The blossoms are also edible like the leaves; they work well as aromatic decor on salads, charcuterie boards, or herbal potions.

Start mint from seeds, cuttings, or divisions. All three are easy to try, as this plant will grow rampant if you let it! Keep it in a container. Sow it outdoors after the danger of freezing weather passes. Cuttings root readily in soil or water—choose a medium that works well for your garden setup.

‘Burgundy’ Amaranth

	botanical name Amaranthus hypochondriacus ‘Burgundy’
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 5-8’
	hardiness zones 3-10

Amaranth is an underrated food crop! Many South and Central American communities utilize the seeds as a grain, and some grind them to form a wheat-like flour. Because of its numerous edible uses, many people consider it a sacred species. It’s also spooky! The bright red plumes and burgundy leaves are striking no matter where they grow.

‘Burgundy’ amaranth is similar to love-lies-bleeding. It sprouts crinkly, soft leaves with a purple-red hue instead of a green one. In summer, long plumes of fluffy flowers bloom. They turn into hundreds of seeds, making this a prolific crop. Plant a few to harvest grains or let them thrive as ornamental species in pollinator, cottage, and witchy gardens.

Amaranth starts best from seeds sown outdoors. Plant them a week or two after your last frost in spring, and keep their soil moist but not soggy. They’ll sprout leaves first, and then flowers after three or more months. 

Marjoram 

	botanical name Origanum majorana
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 8-24”
	hardiness zones 9-10

Marjoram is an oregano relative with a milder aroma and hints of complex flavors. It’s ideal for the witchy herb garden, growing fragrant leaves on woody stems. It’s perennial in zones 9 and 10, although it sometimes survives winters in zone 8. Treat it as an annual elsewhere, dry the leaves, and collect the seeds so you can sow seedlings next year.

This perennial sprouts white flowers in summer that honeybees love to visit. It’ll attract pollinators to the garden, making it a perfect companion plant for vegetables and fruit crops. Plant it with oregano, thyme, and winter savory for a witchy, herbal, and culinary mix. 

Marjoram sprouts easily from tiny seeds. Start them in pots indoors two months before your last frost date. They’ll be ready for transplanting after freezing weather dissipates and warm spring temperatures arrive.

‘Purple Petra’ Basil

	botanical name Ocimum basilicum ‘Purple Petra’
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 2’
	hardiness zones 10

Basil is a must-have culinary herb! It works wonders in the kitchen, transforming salads, pasta, and pizzas from simple recipes to outstanding dishes. ‘Purple Petra’ is a special kind with burgundy leaves and purple-pink flowers. It’s perfect for spooky landscapes and culinary recipes, adding dark-colored mystery wherever it lies.

‘Purple Petra’ thrives with full sun, consistent moisture, and free-draining soil. It’s perennial in zone 10, although most gardeners treat it like a summer annual. Cultivate some specimens alongside tomatoes and onions to make a pasta sauce garden! Choose tomatoes like ‘Cherokee Purple’ so the fruits match the spooky theme.

Basil germinates readily indoors. Start seeds a month before your last frost, and move the seedlings outdoors once temperatures hover above 50°F (10°C). The seedlings appreciate a one or two-week hardening-off period before they move into their final homes. 

‘Lambada’ Bee Balm

	botanical name Monarda ‘Lambada’
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 2-3’
	hardiness zones 2-11

‘Lambada’ bee balm blooms bright pink flowers on heads that stand two and a half inches wide, adding fluffy aesthetic and flavorful tea ingredients to the witchy garden. They lure hummingbirds and butterflies to the site with sweet nectar in the blossoms. Both the flowers and leaves are incredibly fragrant, and they’re gorgeous ornamental additions to eerie landscapes. 

‘Lambada’ is technically a frost-tender perennial, although it rarely survives year to year. Grow it as an annual for best results, and leave the spent flowers on the stems. They’ll sprout seeds that will grow next year, so you can maintain a consistent bee balm supply. Use the dry leaves and flowers in teas, or make a pleasant-smelling sachet to place underneath your pillow. 

You may sow bee balm outdoors in spring, although it’s easier and more successful if you start them indoors. Plant them in 5” pots with free draining potting soil, and keep them moist. Seeds take two to three weeks to germinate; practice some witchy spells as you watch them sprout into seedlings!

‘Oopsy Daisy’ Calendula

	botanical name Calendula officinalis ‘Oopsy Daisy’
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 8”
	hardiness zones 2-11

Calendula, or pot marigold, adds colorful orange and yellow hues to witchy gardens. The bright flower petals are edible! They add a pleasing presentation to salads, charcuterie boards, or as a garnish on savory recipes. ‘Oopsy Daisy’ is a short-growing cultivar with multiple flower colors; you’ll see orange, yellow, and creamy flowers with orange tips on the petals.

Pair this variety with contrasting wildflowers like purple violas, lithodora, or blue-purple petunias. They’ll create a pleasing design with blues, yellows, oranges in your witchy space. This annual dies in freezing winters, although it readily reseeds when happy and thriving.

Start ‘Oopsy Daisy’ from seeds in spring for summer blooms. Sow them two to four weeks after the last frost day in your area, and keep the seedlings’ roots moist but not soggy. If you live in a warm climate in zone 9 or above, plant seeds again in late summer for winter blooms.

‘Resina’ Calendula

	botanical name Calendula officinalis ‘Resina’
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 2’
	hardiness zones 2-11

‘Resina’ is taller than its relative ‘Oopsy Daisy’ calendula, and its petals are full of delicious resin! It’s perfect for witchy backyards and gardens with other herbs for making potent teas, tinctures, and remedies. ‘Resina’ shines under the summer sun—its bright yellow petals are attractive during cool seasons.

Calendula can grow in summer, although it prefers mild, cool temperatures. Let ‘Resina’ thrive during fall, winter, or spring to see dozens of flowers with little effort. Dry the petals for tea or tincture making, or isolate their color to dye fabrics and textiles. The yellow seeps into the liquid when you soak the petals in water or vinegar.

‘Resina’ starts with the same conditions as other calendulas. Sow seeds in early spring in cold climates and in spring or fall in warm ones. This variety thrives with consistent moisture, fertile soil, and mild weather. 

‘Silver Drop’ Eucalyptus

	botanical name Eucalyptus gunnii ‘Silver Drop’
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 2-30’
	hardiness zones 9-11

Eucalyptus is essential for a witchy garden! Most eucalyptus are towering trees with aromatic essential oils in their wood and leaves. They give off a pleasant, soothing scent when you crush them. ‘Silver Drop’ sports oval silver-green leaves opposite each other; it’s a common type that florists use.

For this reason, ‘Silver Drop’ makes perfect cuttings for bouquets and floral arrangements. It also works well as an herbal aromatic in your shower; every time warm water drops on the leaves, the eucalyptus fragrance will waft through your bathroom. Use fresh or dry leaves—fresh leaves will dry after a few weeks and last a year or longer.

‘Silver Drop’ is a tree in zones 9 through 11, reaching heights of 30 feet in maturity! Treat it as a summer annual in all other zones. Plant seeds in pots indoors three to four months before your last spring frost, and transplant seedlings outdoors once temperatures warm and days lengthen.

True Hyssop

	botanical name Hyssopus officinalis
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 1-2’
	hardiness zones 3-11

Hyssop is an ancient plant with a long history of witchy usage. The plant appears often in Biblical texts as a protective and medicinal species. Its leaves lend a savory-sweet flavor to soups, stews, and marinades, and the purple flowers are decadent in salads. The famous liquor Chartreuse gains some of its unique flavors from hyssop oil! 

Hyssop attracts pollinators while also providing edible flowers and leaves. Bees, butterflies, and pollinating flies flock to the flowers for nectar. Grow it with lavender, rosemary, and oregano to create the ultimate woody herb combination. You’ll have flavorful leaves with dozens of applications! 

This woody perennial appreciates indoor conditions while it germinates. Sow hyssop in pots a month or two before your last spring frost, and let them grow into seedlings with multiple stems and leaves. Transplant healthy specimens outdoors after the danger of freezing weather passes.

‘Munstead’ Lavender

	botanical name Lavendula angustifolia ‘Munstead’
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 12-18”
	hardiness zones 5-9

Lavender is the herb of legends for witchy gardens! The variety ‘Munstead’ sports short, squat flower spikes filled with lavender fragrance. Use them to make essential oils, in potpourris, or for brewing tea. They’re also ideal for dream sachets that go underneath your pillow. No matter how you like to use lavender, ‘Munstead’ is your ideal type to grow.

This is an English variety of lavender, meaning it’s compact with short and fat flower spikes. This makes the blossoms ideal in small flower bouquets, and the plants easily fit in amongst other shrubs in the landscape. Plant a bunch of lavender in a row to make a short hedge, or use them as singular specimens scattered throughout your yard.

Lavender is a woody shrub, and it appreciates indoor conditions while its seeds germinate. Sow ‘Munstead’ 10 to 12 weeks before the last average frost in spring, and transplant seedlings outdoors once freezing weather subsides.

‘Colorado Blend’ Yarrow

	botanical name Achillea millefolium ‘Colorado Blend’
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 2’
	hardiness zones 2-9

Yarrow graces North American landscapes, growing wild in meadows, sunny roadsides, and disturbed locations. It’s a wonderful plant to ward off evil with its sweet, herbal aroma and dainty foliage. The flower heads act as landing pads for bees and insects, where they rest and bathe in pollen. 

‘Colorado Blend’ is a special mix of multiple yarrow varieties. You’ll find pink, red, yellow, orange, and white flowers blooming throughout the summer season. Scatter seeds throughout the witchy garden for a profusion of color during warm weather. The cut flowers make excellent bouquets either dried or fresh, and they hang on to their color for a year or longer!