We look at four drought resistant herbs you can plant at home. So if you live in a dry climate and you’re looking for edible herb plants you can grow, this article is for you. We look at four drought tolerant herbs that cope with dry weather and minimal water.
Our top four drought hardy herbs are rosemary, sage, oregano and thyme. Once established, these herbs will thrive on a fraction of the water required by most edible plants.
Growing herbs are great for first-time gardeners and these herb plants, in particular, are very easy to grow due to their low maintenance nature.
Many common herbs are native to the Mediterranean region. These plants thrive in dry sunny conditions in their native lands and they’ll happily grow in these conditions in your garden.
You can, however, help protect plants by mulching the soil around the herbs with an organic mulch. This will go along way to retaining soil moisture, protecting the herb plant roots and feeding the soil as the mulch breaks down.
While new plants are establishing in the garden, plant growth can be supported with an organic liquid fertilizer such as fish fertilizer or seaweed fertilizer. After this time, fertilization isn’t necessary. In fact, these herbs benefit from some neglect which results in a more flavorsome herb.
This selection of herbs are perennials, meaning they last several years, in the right conditions. So you can plant them today and enjoy them for years with minimal maintenance!
Rosemary is an evergreen shrub that thrives in hot weather.
As a perennial, rosemary lasts 5-6 years before it becomes woody and needs replacing. But the great news is that if you are already growing rosemary, you can grow new rosemary plants easily from cuttings.
Rosemary makes a great hedge and will also grow happily in pots.
To help keep it in great conditions, Rosemary can be pruned at the end of summer.
In The Kitchen: As the perfect complement to roast lamb, rosemary is a must-have for your herb garden at home.
Sage is an attractive greyish-green leafed herb that does very well in a drought hardy garden.
Like rosemary, sage can also be grown from cuttings and makes a pretty border or scattered throughout the vegetable garden. Growing sage in pots and containers is also an option if space is limited.
Sage may die back in the cold but does come back again in the spring, providing the conditions are right. However, sage will not survive harsh winters so if you live in this type of climate you can either plant the herb in pots and bring it inside from the cold or plant sage as an annual (lasting only one season).
In The Kitchen: sage is a wonderful accompaniment to chicken (hello stuffing!) and fish.
Growing oregano is so easy! When this herb is happy, it will grow and spread as a lovely ground cover. Or oregano can be contained in pots if space is limited.
Oregano may benefit from cutting back to near ground level during cold climate winters with protection in the form of a light cover of mulch. During spring oregano will re-shoot.
In The Kitchen: oregano is amazing on pizza and in tomato-based sauces. Some people prefer oregano in it’s dried form in culinary dishes. A food dehydrator is perfect for drying large batches of oregano.
Growing thyme is low maintenance and very easy.
Thyme makes an attractive border and will spread to fill available gapes in the garden. This herb can be easily divided to create more plants by digging up an established plant and separating part of the plant using a spade or cutting through the plant roots with secateurs. Both plants are then replanted. The division of thyme is best done in spring or fall.
In The Kitchen: thyme is an amazing all-rounder herb for savory dishes. From chicken, fish, pork, eggs and tomato sauce dishes, the list is endless. Versatile thyme provides enhanced flavor to sauces, stews, soups and more.
These herbs do not require large amounts of water. If you live in a climate with regular rain, that may be all these plants require. In times of drought or very dry climates, water may only be required weekly or when soil is entirely dry.
You can check the soil 1-2 inches below the surface if it feels dry, it’s time for watering. Let the soil dry between watering and remember these herbs grow well in dry conditions.
You can use this water gauge to measure the moisture in the soil.
Even in dry conditions, you can still plant and enjoy food from your garden. Not only are they attractive in the garden, but these drought resistant herbs are really easy herbs to grow. So why not be self-sufficient in one or all of these herbs in your garden at home?
Water Gauge – measure the soil moisture level.
Liquid Fish Fertilizer – support newly planted herbs with a liquid fertilizer.
Liquid Seaweed Fertilizer – support newly planted herbs with a liquid fertilizer.
Food Dehydrator – drying your herbs is simple and easy with a dehydrator.