5 BEST Herbs to Grow at Home

Quick Overview

The five best herbs to grow at home for maximum flavor and health benefits are Sweet Basil, Thai Basil, Greek Basil, Oregano, and Turmeric, with Rosemary also highlighted for its memory-boosting properties and ease of growth.

Key Points: Sweet Basil is the most popular herb, famous for pesto and Margherita pizza, and should be harvested often to encourage bushier growth. Thai Basil has a distinct, slightly anise-like flavor and pairs excellently with chicken and in various Asian dishes. Greek Basil grows in a compact, cute 'box hedge' shape and is highly heat tolerant compared to Sweet Basil. Oregano is a perennial Mediterranean herb that thrives in full sun and dry soil, yielding intensely flavored oil that intensifies in dry conditions. Coriander (Cilantro) seeds are highly valuable for preserving meats like biltong, offering a cleansing, lemon-like taste, but the plant bolts quickly in hot weather. Rosemary, an ancient herb known for memory enhancement, thrives in poor soil and requires regular pruning to prevent it from becoming woody. Turmeric (Zingiberaceae family) is easy to grow in pots or raised beds, requires summer heat, and can be harvested in autumn or left to overwinter.

Context: The presenter, Mark from Self Sufficient Me, reviews five of his top herbs to grow at home, emphasizing herbs that offer significant culinary and health benefits. The video showcases various herbs growing in his extensive garden setup, featuring corrugated metal raised beds and large pots, while also promoting his book, "100 Top Crops You Can Grow," which is currently on a Black Friday sale.

Detailed Analysis

The video lists five of the best herbs to grow at home: Sweet Basil, Thai Basil, Greek Basil, Oregano, Rosemary, and Turmeric. Sweet Basil (01:00) is noted for pesto and pizza, requiring frequent pinching to stay bushy. Thai Basil (01:28) is recommended for Asian cooking and drinks, having a distinct flavor and being more heat tolerant than Sweet Basil. Greek Basil (01:34) forms a dense, small-leaved bush ideal for hedging. Oregano (03:21) is a perennial Mediterranean herb that loves sun and dry soil, with its oil flavor intensifying in dry conditions; it should be pruned before flowering. Rosemary (05:04) is highlighted for its memory-boosting compounds and is extremely drought-tolerant once established, requiring regular pruning to prevent woodiness. Coriander/Cilantro (06:41) is noted for its seeds, which are used in biltong spice mixes and have a soapy, lemony flavor, but the plant bolts quickly in heat above 77°F (25°C). Finally, Turmeric (10:32) is presented as a great supplement and immune booster; it is easy to grow in pots and should be planted in spring, harvested in autumn, or left to overwinter. The host also briefly mentions growing black pepper and shows how he makes biltong using home-ground coriander seed as part of the spice rub.