Great Herbs for Kids
The following is meant to be a general guide of herbs that are recommended for growing with children or placing in a children’s garden. For more detailed information, consult a reliable book on herb gardening, your local extension service, or your local garden center. Please keep in mind a few safety rules when gardening with herbs and children. *Always be sure that you correctly identify your plants and that they are safe for eating. |
Lemon Balm – Melissa officinalis
Lemon Balm is easy to grow and maintain. In fact, take care with this plant because it is a prolific grower and can easily get out of control in the garden. It is recommended that this herb be planted in a container. If you intend to put Lemon Balm in your garden be sure to remove the flower heads before they set seed. Children will enjoy the lemony fragrance of this plant as well as the texture of it’s leaves. Lemon Balm is easy to start from seed, making it an ideal pick for seed starting projects with your children.
Light: partial shade to full sun
Growth: perennial
Culture: well-drained, medium rich soil, keep moist
Zone: hardy to zone 5
Use: culinary, crafts
Landscape use: borders, containers
Sensory benefits: smell, touch, taste
Photo courtesy of Robin Siktberg©2009
Sage – Salvia sp.
Children will take great delight in watching the butterflies, birds, and bees that are attracted to these plants. Salvias also have fragrant leaves and striking flowers.
Light: full sun
Growth: perennial
Soil: well-drained
Zone: hardy to zone 5
Use: culinary, crafts
Landscape use: borders
Sensory benefits: smell, visual, hearing
Species to try: Salvia elegans (pineapple sage),
S. officinalis (garden sage)
Photo courtesy of Robin Siktberg©2009
Lavender – Lavandula sp.
Lavender is a great pick for kid’s because of it’s fragrant leaves and flowers. The plants are known to attract birds, butterflies, and bees. Many varieties also adapt well for use in containers. In addition, the colorful flowers can be used for crafts and cooking. Lavender is durable and will endure some neglect and abuse which makes it a great choice for young children learning to garden.
Light: full sun
Growth: perennial
Culture: well-drained, alkaline soil
Zones: 5-8
Use: culinary, crafts
Landscape use: massed borders,
Sensory benefits: smell, visual
Good picks: Lavandula angustifolia,
L. angustifolia 'Munstead,'
L. officinalis
Photo courtesy of Stockxpert.com
Lamb’s Ear – Stachys byzantina
Lamb’s ear is a great herb for touching. Children will be delighted with the soft, downy leaves. This plant is often grown more for it’s foliage than its flowers. However, when they are not cut back the flower spikes are also an enjoyable addition to the garden.
Light: full sun
Growth: perennial
Culture: well-drained soil
Zone: 4-9
Landscape use: borders
Sensory benefits: touch
Photo courtesy of Robin Siktberg©2009
Chives – Allium schoenoprasum
Chives are a colorful, easy to grow choice for gardening with kids. The flowers and stems are edible and when dried they are great for use in crafts. In addition, they are colorful and fun for children to smell.
Light: full sun
Growth: perennial
Culture: well-drained, medium rich soil
Zone: 3-9
Use: culinary, crafts
Landscape use: borders, massed planting
Sensory benefits: taste, smell, visual
Photo courtesy of Robin Siktberg©2009
Nasturtiums – Tropaeolum majus
Colorful flowers and fun shaped leaves make nasturtiums a great pick for growing with your children. Their seeds are large, making them easy for small fingers to handle when planting. Children will also enjoy trying out the freshly washed, peppery tasting leaves. In addition, they are easy to grow and can attract hummingbirds to your garden.
Light: full sun
Growth: annuals, some tender perennials
Culture: well-drained, average soil
Uses: culinary
Landscape use: borders, ground cover, container
Sensory benefits: taste, visual
Good picks: Tropaeolum majus ‘Empress of India,’ T. majus ‘Peach Melba,’ T. majus ‘Moonlight’
Photo courtesy of Robin Siktberg©2009