Growing Culinary Herbs & Seeds - M to Z

 Unless otherwise noted, herbal seed germination and seedling survival can be low or non-existent in Kihei during the summer months.

Marjoram

Marjoram is a semi-vining plant that's easy to germinate from seed. It grows well in a hanging basket and can be grown in a pot as small as 1 gallon. Marjoram plants can become brittle and die during the summer months.

Oregano - Greek

Oregano - Italian

Oregano is a vining plant that germinates easily from seed. There are several types of oregano - the most common are Greek, Italian and Mexican and all have unique characteristics. Oregano is a perennial and is well suited for a hanging basket.

Parsley - Curly

Parsley - Flat-leaf

There are two types of parsley - Curly and Flat-leaf. Parsley plants develop large, conical roots and some varieties of parsley are grown just for this purpose. In Kihei, parsley will grow without flowering for several years if planted in the ground or in a 5 gallon or larger size container.

Chimichurri

Patchouli

This plant was grown from a small cutting and although it isn't a culinary herb it is so fragrant. I love having this plant just outside of my bedroom window.

Rosemary

Rosemary seeds are difficult to germinate from seed, even during the cooler months. It's worth trying though as young rosemary plants are so soft and feathery. Rosemary is a perennial and will grow into a large bush when planted in the ground or a 10 gallon container.

Roasted Chicken Stuffed with Lemons, Garlic & Rosemary

Sage

There are several types of sage or Salvias and culinary sage is known as Salvia Officinalis. Sage is fairly easy to germinate from seed. Sage is also a perennial and will grow into a small to medium size bush when planted in the ground or a 10 gallon size container. Culinary sage produces lavender flowers.

Sesame

Sesame seeds have very good germination during the hottest months of the year - even the seedlings thrived in the intense July and August sun. Sesame is a lovely plant with fragrant trumpet shaped flowers. The plants produce multiple seed pods and are surprisingly easy to grow. Sesame has a very interesting history and more information can be found via this link:
All About Sesame

Tarragon - French

There are several types of tarragon - French, Russian and Mexican are the most common. The Russian and Mexican varieties can be grown from seed but French Tarragon can only be grow from cuttings. French tarragon is not often available at the local garden centers and nurseries but it's worth pursuing.

Russian is a bigger plant than French and it's best grown in a 5 gallon or larger container. French tarragon grows well in a hanging basket and Mexican tarragon is often planted in the ground for it's attractive golden-yellow flowers. French tarragon is a perennial but it's not as heat tolerant as other herbs and can die, or die back, during the summer months.

Thyme

Thyme is a semi-vining plant that's fairly easy to germinate from seed. It grows well in a hanging basket and can be grown in a pot as small as 1 gallon. Like marjoram, it can become brittle and die during the summer.

Green thymes like English and Summer can be grown from seed but Coconut, Lemon and Silver thyme have to be grown from cuttings - these are widely available at the local garden centers.

In Kihei, herbal plants need daily water and monthly applications of fish emulsion or an organic all-purpose fertilizer.

To read about the herbs I've grown from A to L click here:
Growing Culinary Herbs & Seeds - A to L