Herb Plants for Zone 8 (2024)

FAQs

Herb Plants for Zone 8? ›

Best Herbs for Zone 8

Perennials: Lavender (Lavandula spp.), Yarrow (Achillea millefolium), and Phlox (Phlox spp.). Annuals: Marigold (Tagetes spp.), Vinca (Catharanthus roseus), and Lantana (Lantana camara).

Outdoors, German thyme is perennial in zones 5 to 9, lemon thyme in zones 7 to 9. Easy to grow, thyme needs little care except for a regular light pruning after the first year.

Unlike most herbs that live for only one season, rosemary is an evergreen shrub in zone 8 and farther south. For that reason, you should choose a location where it can continue to grow for years to come. It thrives in a sunny, well-drained location where it will reach up to 3 feet tall and wide.

Basil. More than just a flavorful pizza addition, Basil is one of the fastest growing herbs. The average plant garners 1/2 cup of leaves a week. The hardy seasoning is known for growing fuller with each clipping, so frequent use is key to the little plant's survival.

Zone 8's minimum average temperatures, like the other USDA zones, are ten degrees warmer than those of Zone 7. It's also divided into two subzones: 8a and 8b. The minimum average temperature of Zone 8a is 10-15° Fahrenheit, and the minimum average temperature of Zone 8b is 15-20° Fahrenheit.

If the forecast looks good, sow seeds outdoors of beans, okra, squash, sweet corn, Southern peas, asparagus beans, and watermelon. Plant only partial rows of beans and sweet corn so that successive plantings can be done every week or two. Sweet corn should be planted in paired rows or blocks for good pollination.

Shrub forms of hibiscus are bushy, woody plants that are cold hardy in zones 5-9. Many varieties grow quite large, reaching heights of up to 12 feet, but more dwarf cultivars are available.

Marjoram – A perennial in zone 8, marjoram is like a sweeter, more floral tasting version of oregano. Basil – An extremely popular culinary herb, basil is an annual that needs rich, moist soil and plenty of fertilizer. Mint – Most varieties are suited to zone 8.

Is mint perennial in zone 8? ›

Most varieties of mint grow as a perennial in zones 3 through 8.

Hardiness Zones

Dill can survive winter temperatures down to 25 degrees Fahrenheit, so it can sometimes be grown as a perennial in USDA Zones 9b to 11, and some say it can be grown as perennial in Zone 8 (depending on microclimate).

Oregano is a perennial plant; it's hardy to zone 4 plant, though some gardeners say it's only hardy to zone 5. If you are in zone 4 and will be planting your oregano in a raised bed, plant it toward the middle of the box rather than at the outside edge so the roots get as much protection from cold as possible.

In milder climates (zone 8 and southward), oregano is evergreen. In zone 7 and northward, protect plants with mulch through the winter, or cover them with a cold frame. Small plants in containers can be moved indoors for the winter. Cut out dead stems in the spring before the plants begin new growth.

If you live in zones 5 to 8, your sage will grow as a hardy perennial. However, in the humid climates of zones 9 and farther south, sage is usually an annual, as it does not easily tolerate summer heat and humidity.

In hardiness zones 3 – 7, where the growing season is much shorter, basil should not be transplanted outdoors until late May – June, after the last frost date. If planting in hardiness zones 8 – 9, you can push your dates out 4 – 6 weeks in the spring and the fall, again paying close attention to possible frost.

In fact, lavender is the most difficult herb to keep alive, with 10,400 plant parents in need of help every month.

In milder climates (zone 8 and southward), oregano is evergreen. In zone 7 and northward, protect plants with mulch through the winter, or cover them with a cold frame. Small plants in containers can be moved indoors for the winter. Cut out dead stems in the spring before the plants begin new growth.

Sage, rosemary, thyme, and lavender can all be planted together in the same garden bed as they have similar growing requirements and are known to be complementary to each other. These herbs prefer well-drained soil, full sun exposure, and infrequent watering, making them ideal companions.