
Herbs & Spices
Herbs, Spices, and Organic Fertilizer Programs
Herbs and spices vary widely, but most benefit from biologically active soil, good drainage, and feeding matched to whether leaves, roots, flowers, or seeds are harvested.
21 crops
Herbs & SpicesTorch Ginger
Etlingera elatior
A tall tropical rhizomatous herb harvested for aromatic flowers and shoots, thriving in rich, moist, well-drained soil with filtered light.
Open growing guide
Herbs & SpicesAloe Vera
Aloe vera
A medicinal succulent storing water in leaves and requiring bright light, sparse irrigation, and rapid drainage.
Open growing guide
Herbs & SpicesGreen Chiretta
Andrographis paniculata
A bitter medicinal annual harvested for aerial biomass and managed for clean leaves before seed maturity.
Open growing guide
Herbs & SpicesThyme
Thymus vulgaris
A compact Mediterranean herb needing strong light, lean mineral soil, and protection from tropical downpours.
Open growing guide
Herbs & SpicesRosemary
Salvia rosmarinus
A Mediterranean woody herb requiring intense light, dry airflow, and exceptionally free-draining media in humid tropics.
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Herbs & SpicesMakrut Lime
Citrus hystrix
An aromatic citrus grown mainly for leaves and rind, requiring drainage, pruning, and micronutrient-aware feeding.
Open growing guide
Herbs & SpicesIndonesian Bay Leaf
Syzygium polyanthum
An Indonesian aromatic tree harvested for leaves and maintained at accessible height through regular pruning.
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Herbs & SpicesPandan
Pandanus amaryllifolius
A tropical aromatic leaf plant forming suckering clumps and tolerating partial shade with steady moisture.
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Herbs & SpicesMint
Mentha spp.
A spreading aromatic herb needing moisture, regular cutting, and root containment in mixed gardens.
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Herbs & SpicesLemon Basil
Ocimum × africanum
A warm aromatic herb harvested repeatedly for young shoots and kept productive by pinching flowers.
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Herbs & SpicesCumin
Cuminum cyminum
A dry-climate annual spice requiring full sun, low humidity, and a rain-free seed-maturation period.
Open growing guide
Herbs & SpicesCoriander
Coriandrum sativum
A cool-season annual used for leaves or seed, with management changing according to the intended harvest.
Open growing guide
Herbs & SpicesJava Cardamom
Amomum compactum
A shade-loving spice clump producing fruit near the ground and needing mulch, pollinators, and careful sanitation.
Open growing guide
Herbs & SpicesJava Turmeric
Curcuma xanthorrhiza
A large Indonesian medicinal rhizome crop needing a full leaf season and deep organic soil for reserve accumulation.
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Herbs & SpicesLemongrass
Cymbopogon citratus
A clumping aromatic grass harvested repeatedly for tender stalk bases and leaves.
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Herbs & SpicesAromatic Ginger
Kaempferia galanga
A low tropical rhizome herb adapted to partial shade and needing loose surface soil for aromatic storage roots.
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Herbs & SpicesGalangal
Alpinia galanga
A vigorous perennial rhizome spice forming tall clumps and requiring space, mulch, and periodic division.
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Herbs & SpicesTurmeric
Curcuma longa
A warm-season rhizome spice whose curcumin-rich harvest develops under a long healthy canopy.
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Herbs & SpicesGinger
Zingiber officinale
A tropical rhizome spice needing clean seed pieces, porous organic soil, and potassium during underground bulking.
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Herbs & SpicesGarlic
Allium sativum
A bulb spice requiring healthy cloves, cool early growth, and a dry maturation period for well-separated cloves.
Open growing guide
Herbs & SpicesShallot
Allium cepa Aggregatum Group
A short-cycle bulb spice needing full sun, loose beds, careful nitrogen timing, and a dry finish for firm bulbs.
Open growing guide