Sowing times vary widely across herb types. Here's the UK timing for the most popular culinary herbs.
Sowing dates and growing advice verified against RHS guidance by the SoilCommander Growing Team.
Part of the UK Vegetable Planting Calendar — see all sowing dates and monthly guides.
Herb Sowing Calendar UK
| Herb | Sow Indoors | Sow/Plant Outdoors | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basil | March – May (18–21°C) | Late May – June | Frost-tender; never plant outside before late May |
| Parsley | February – April (18°C) | March – May | Slow germination (3–4 weeks); sow fresh seed |
| Coriander | Not recommended | March – September | Direct sow in succession; bolts in heat |
| Chives | February – April | March – May | Hardy perennial; divide clumps every 3 years |
| Mint | n/a (propagate by division) | March – May (divisions) | Plant in containers to contain spread |
| Thyme | February – April | March – May | Hardy perennial; free-draining, sunny position |
| Rosemary | February – April (slow) | April – May | Hardy shrub; easier from cuttings than seed |
Browse all sowing dates in the UK vegetable planting calendar · Explore all UK vegetable growing guides
Relevant next steps
Plan The Timing Before You Sow
Use the planting window with a planner, seed-starting setup, and the full calendar so dates stay practical for your garden.
Plan the next step
Use the printable UK Vegetable Garden Planner to turn this guide into sowing dates, bed layouts, and weekly garden tasks.