20 Perennial Herbs

When making a food forest, it’s important to remember that it isn’t all strictly fruit trees.

As I’ve mentioned before, you need all kinds of supporting plant species to have a real diverse and functional food system.

Why herbs? Aside from being medicinal and offering pest control and pollinator feed, herbs are what can make a meal go from bland and plain to flavorful and memorable.

Herbs are also typically very easy to grow and require little or no maintenance which I’m a big fan of!

Here are 20 perennial herbs to consider (this list is definitely not complete either):

Sage

Sage is a classic culinary herb, but I meet so few people who actually cook with it. The flavor is strong and pairs well with meats and savory dishes (although I’ve seen recipes pairing it with fruit as well).

Sage has many nutritional benefits including a high level of vitamin K, loads of antioxidants, antimicrobial properties, and even some anti-cancer properties.

Sage is also very low maintenance although not always as long-lived as other perennial herbs.

Guild Plants: Strawberries, raspberries, carrots, brassicas

Avoid: Cucumbers, garlic, onions

Chives

Chives are another great herb. If you want a low maintenance alternative to other onions and still want that onion-flavor in your food, chives are a must.

Chives can thrive pretty well on neglect and are very easy to divide and propagate more of. This is ideal for the lazy gardener or beginner who wants an easy win!

Like most alliums, chives have good immune supporting qualities and a lot of nutrients. They are very easy to add to dishes and attract pollinators to the garden as well as keep some pests at bay.

Guild Plants: Sage, strawberries, blueberries, peach, apple, pear, grapes, cherry, nectarine, rhubarb, currants, honeyberry, plum, apricot, jujube

Avoid: Beans, peas

Rosemary

I was told that rosemary couldn’t survive in the winter of my growing zone, but this has proven to be untrue. Not only has our rosemary survived it’s third winter here, but it is massive and rarely takes much frost damage.

Not everyone likes rosemary, but I tend to use it more for medicinal qualities than the flavor (although we do cook with it as well).

Rosemary also contains antioxidative compounds, anti-inflammatory acids, as well as antimicrobial compounds.

Often to get the most out of the medicinal benefits, it is consumed as tea.

Other than some basic pruning here and there (maybe once per spring?) rosemary is also incredibly low maintenance and great for beginners!

Guild Plants: Sage, carrots, brassicas, beans, strawberries, lavender, thyme, oregano

Avoid: Cucumbers

Calendula

I have talked about calendula before in a past article so you can read more details there, but this is another beautiful and exciting herb.

Other than deadheading (removing dead flowers to encourage new growth) calendula really doesn’t need much attention.

While not technically a perennial, for all intents-and-purposes it acts like one because of how easy it re-sows itself.

I highly recommend it for skin ailments and the pollinator attracting properties! If you grow tomatoes at all, this is an underrated companion plant.

Guild Plants: Apple, pear, peach, plum, grapes, asparagus, strawberries, blueberries, echinacea, tomatoes, lavender, rosemary

Avoid: Any plants with incompatible growing conditions (like full shade)

St. John’s Wort

St. John’s Wort is a medicinal flower that is known for its anti-anxiety properties.

If you want a flower that grows like a weed and can help with your anxiety or stress levels, this is the one for you.

Once again there isn’t much to know in order to grow it. Plant seeds and basically forget that it’s there until you pick from it.

It should be noted that there are several species of St. John’s Wort, some of which are considered invasive outside of their native habitat. There are species that are native to North America as well.

Guild Plants: Apple, pear, peach, plum, apricot, cherry, nectarine, goumi, yarrow, comfrey, raspberries, blackberries, lavender, thyme, rosemary

Avoid: Wet-soil-loving plants, shade loving plants

Thyme

Thyme is a classic culinary herb for a reason. The flavor is iconic, and it is used in many traditional dishes around the world including the Levant and Mediterranean regions.

Thyme comes in all sorts of sizes and colors and is easy to propagate. Ours is more of a bushy creeping thyme that spreads quite nicely to fill in any empty space in its bed.

Thyme also has some serious antimicrobial and antibacterial properties. On top of that, thyme also offers some basic immune support and can boost your mood.

The scent is very lovely and calming and our bees really love it. It’s another set-and-forget herb!

Guild Plants: Rosemary, sage, lavender, strawberries, peppers, lingonberry

Avoid: Brassicas, mints

Chamomile

Chamomile is an herb that everyone hears about, but few gardeners seem to grow. This was our first year trialing chamomile and I’ve been pleasantly surprised at how easy it is!

It is known mostly for its sedative affects and is used in teas for this reason. There are a few varieties out there to choose from and it is very easy to grow.

I pretty much only deadhead my chamomile as I harvest flowers, and otherwise leave it alone (I don’t even water it).

Guild Plants: Apples, pears, brassicas, onions, garlic, citrus, raspberry, blackberry, thimbleberry, peach, plums, apricot, cherry, nectarine

Avoid: Mint, carrots

Yarrow

Yarrow is a North American native herb (both native and non-native types exist) where it was used for centuries as a medicinal herb for wound healing, its antiseptic and astringent properties.

Yarrow also helps with depression and anxiety as well as digestive issues and inflammation.

Some precautions with yarrow: avoid it if you are pregnant or have menstrual problems.

Yarrow is an amazing pollinator plant that attracts beneficial insects to the garden.

It is easy to grow, no maintenance, and looks beautiful!

Guild Plants: Apples, pears, raspberries, blackberries, goji berry, blueberry, lingonberry, echinacea, carrots, chamomile,

Avoid: Mints

Chicory

Chicory is a wild herb related to the dandelion. I’ve written about it before, but chicory makes an excellent companion to most of the shrubs and fruit trees you’d want in a food forest (with the exception of tropical food forests since I’m not familiar with those).

It is a bitter herb with a deep taproot that does well in compacted soils and makes an excellent coffee substitute!

Chicory also has cleansing properties as well as digestive tract support.

Read my earlier article on Chicory to learn more!

Guild Plants: Apples, pears, quince, carrots, comfrey, onions

Avoid: Parsley and parsley relatives

Borage

Borage is another self-sowing annual that acts like a perennial. We planted it once a few years ago and will never have to plant it again!

The flowers attract bees and taste like cucumber which is really fun for kids and in drinks.

The fuzzy/prickly juicy leaves grow large and my favorite use for them is actually as a mulch. They are an excellent biomass and return voluntarily year after year which we appreciate.

While there are no particularly potent medicinal qualities, it’s worth having for its secondary benefits and as a biomass plant. It also makes an excellent companion for many types of fruit trees!

Guild Plants: Strawberries, squash, apple, pear, peach, plum, apricot, cherry, nectarine, cabbage, beans, cucumbers, lettuce, spinach, goji berry, blueberry, lingonberry,

Avoid: Sunflowers, mint, tomatoes

Echinacea

Also known as “cone flower” echinacea grows all over the Midwest region of the United States and is native to the North American continent.

There are roughly 9-10 different echinacea species all very similar in qualities and appearance.

This is strictly a medicinal herb not so much a culinary one, but the health benefits are too big to ignore!

High in antioxidants, immune system support, reduces anxiety, reduces inflammation, fights cancerous cells, and offers a pretty safe means of doing so. That said, if you have immune disorders, you should probably avoid this herb.

Otherwise, it attracts many pollinators and is an excellent support plant in any garden or food forest.

Guild Plants: Gooseberry, peach, plum, apricot, cherry, nectarine, apple, pear, quince, lavender, yarrow, brassicas, goldenrod, citrus, mulberry, alliums

Avoid: Wet conditions, plants that will shade them out over time

Mallow

Mallow is an incredible herb that I’ve gushed about before.

This herb is not only medicinal but is a great leafy green to incorporate into your daily cooking!

It acts as a gentle cleanser, heals the digestive tract, and lubricates your intestines.

This is an herb that has been used throughout history in the Old World but is almost non-existent in the Western kitchen.

I highly recommend this herb. It’s small, it will fit into spaces you otherwise wouldn’t plant something, and it grows like a weed without any intervention. What more could you ask for?

Guild Plants: Apple, pear, quince, peach, plum, apricot, nectarine, cherry, blueberry, lingonberry, borage, clover, thyme, yarrow, nasturtium, lavender, chives, marigold

Avoid: Brassicas, cucumbers, tomatoes, potatoes (mostly because they share similar pests)

Sorrel

The past few years I’ve enjoyed having sorrel in the garden. Garden sorrel is not to be confused with “wood sorrel” (both are edible but are otherwise unrelated).

Garden sorrel is a leafy vegetable that is high in oxalic acids and can add a delightful tart edge to a dish.

I personally only like the smaller young leaves since they are more tender. The older leaves tend to get more fibrous and bitter.

This is not only a beautiful plant, but it tolerates some shade and can act as a great filler to avoid empty spaces in the garden.

Admittedly I haven’t used sorrel as often as I thought I would, but it’s nice to have it when I need it!

Once again, very easy to grow. Set-and-forget.

Guild Plants: Apples, pears, peaches, plums, apricots, cherry, nectarines, citrus, figs, pawpaw, gooseberry, blueberries, lingonberry, blackberry, raspberry, thimbleberry, currant

Avoid: Spinach, beets, fennel, other Rumex species

Stinging Nettle

With the amount of popularity nettle has in Europe, I’m surprised more Americans haven’t heard of this plant especially since it grows practically everywhere.

This is one of the most nutritious leafy greens on the planet and makes an amazing replacement for spinach or Swiss chard in any recipe. It has very little flavor (mostly a light fresh greens taste) which makes it easy to add to most dishes.

While this herb doesn’t necessarily add much flavor to a dish, it is so nutritionally dense that I have to recommend everyone start cooking with this. Seriously, stop buying spinach and grow this instead.

I also wrote an article about this plant in the spring which you can read here.

Guild Plants: Apple, pear, cherry, peach, plum, nectarine, apricot, mulberry, fig, pawpaw, raspberry, blackberry, gooseberry, currant, blueberry, strawberry, lingonberry

Avoid: Nightshades, carrots, beans, onions

Goldenrod

I wrote about goldenrod last year and it doesn’t get enough attention. This is a native herb that fights seasonal allergies, is anti-inflammatory, antifungal, is high in antioxidants, and attracts a host of pollinators all while looking pretty.

The large golden flower clusters can also be used as a dye.

While not necessarily a cooking herb, it can be made into teas and used in baked goods.

To me this is just a no-brainer herb for any American garden. It looks gorgeous, attracts pollinators, and has enough unique health benefits to be worth it in my book.

Again, no effort required to grow this plant!

Guild Plants: Apple, pear, cherry, peach, plum, nectarine, apricot, fig, pawpaw, raspberry, blackberry, thimbleberry, gooseberry, currant, blueberry, lingonberry, strawberry

Avoid: Nightshades, brassicas, carrots, beans, cucumbers (attracts common pests, out-grows them which shades them out)

Purslane

If you were to ask me for one leafy green plant other than nettles, I recommend everyone eat, it’d be purslane.

This plant is often considered a noxious weed in most places, but for a plant that grows so well on its own it sure is a nutrient powerhouse.

High in vitamins A, and C, high in iron, manganese, magnesium, calcium, and antioxidants, this is one of my preferred greens in stir fries.

Eating with rice, grilled chicken, rice, and a vinegar dressing makes this crunchy succulent a very pleasant addition to many meals.

It does spread fast which makes it a good ground cover, but just be aware of if it is becoming a problem. I tend to like keeping it in spots that would otherwise be empty and eating it as want it.

Guild Plants: Apple, pear, cherry, peach, plum, nectarine, apricot, fig, raspberry, blackberry, thimbleberry, gooseberry, currant, strawberry, elderberry

Avoid: Nightshades, brassicas, carrots, lettuce, spinach, onions, radish (competition for space and resources)

Lemon Balm

Lemon balm is another pretty easy win for a beginner. Typically, there’s no regular maintenance required, and it will still grow just fine for you.

The leaves have a lemon-like scent that is calming and reduces anxiety as well as improves cognitive function. It also eases insomnia and helps for more restful sleep (similar sedative qualities to chamomile).

This is another pollinator-friendly plant that most people should consider growing!

Guild Plants: Apple, pear, cherry, peach, plum, nectarine, apricot, fig, raspberry, blackberry, thimbleberry, gooseberry, currant, strawberry, elderberry, melons, brassicas, beets, basil, peas, dill, carrots, thyme

Avoid: Lavender, rosemary, fennel

Broadleaf/Narrowleaf Plantain

This is completely unrelated to the plantain-banana (plantanos). This herb is native to Eurasia but has been introduced to North America.

Plantain is great for skin conditions, inflammation, respiratory issues, gut and liver health, contains many of the classic “dark leafy greens” nutrients, and is a great filler herb.

Plantain is another easy herb to cook with as it doesn’t taste very strongly of anything in my experience, but I would stick to the younger less fibrous leaves in the spring for cooking with.

It is leafy, lush, and easy to recognize which makes it a great herb for kids to forage for as well as a pleasant addition to any landscape.

Plantain grows in most parts of North America

Guild Plants: Apple, pear, cherry, peach, plum, nectarine, apricot, fig, raspberry, blackberry, thimbleberry, gooseberry, currant, strawberry, elderberry, goldenrod, chives

Avoid: Plants that prefer dry conditions

Clover

Clover is a classic plant we see all over the place. It’s a classic flower for bees, it’s a nitrogen fixer, and some kind of clover grow all over the world.

Not only that but clover has some interesting medicinal and culinary benefits that should be taken advantage of!

Anti-inflammatory, rich in vitamin C, and leukemia-fighting properties, this is a very common and easy plant to have around that is grown by both farmers and gardeners alike.

Guild Plants: Grapes, blueberry, elderberry, apple, pear, peach, plum, apricot, nectarine, cherry, persimmon, lingonberry,

Avoid: Purslane, low growing groundcovers that compete with space

Bergamot (aka “bee balm” or “monarda”)

Wild bergamot (also called monarda, or wild bee balm) is a perennial herb native to North America in the Lamiaceae family.

This plant has a similar scent to oregano and can be used similarly in teas, herbal remedies, or as a seasoning.

The flavor is strong, so in most herbal remedies it is sweetened with honey. It is still used today to fight colds and flus, and Native Americans used it for its antiseptic properties or to ease gas in the digestive tract.

Bergamot is also very attractive to pollinators with its large unique flowers and leaves a nice scent in the garden as you walk past it.

As a quick note, the herb bergamot is NOT the flavor of Earl Gray Tea contrary to popular belief. There is however a Mediterranean citrus fruit called the “bergamot orange” that is used to flavor Earl Gray with its signature flavor.

Guild Plants: Tomato, echinacea, squash, yarrow, lavender, milkweed, goldenrod, anise hyssop, apples, pear, quince, raspberries, blackberries, thimbleberry, peaches, plums, nectarines, apricots, cherry, blueberry, lingonberry, strawberry

Avoid: Small plants that can be shaded out

There are a ton of herbs out there with a lot of benefits both for human health, food, or for the ecosystem.

This is by no means a comprehensive list and there is a lot of nuance to the guild plant suggestions, but they should give you a starting point at least.

Take a look at my related articles on the roles of plants in a food forest for more specific information:

• Pollinators and Repellers

• Mulch, Biomass, Mulchers

• Nitrogen Fixers

• Microclimates

• Food Forests

• Polycultures

If you have any additional favorite herbs, comment them below!

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