Is It Better to Grow Herbs from Seeds or Plants? Pros & Cons

By Alex Assoune Jul 07, 2025

Herbs are among the easiest and most rewarding plants to grow. Whether you're dreaming of fresh basil for homemade pesto or fragrant lavender for teas and crafts, the first big question you’ll face is: Should I grow herbs from seeds or buy young plants (starts)?

Both methods have their advantages, and the best choice depends on your goals, time, budget, and gardening experience.

In this article, we’ll compare growing herbs from seeds vs. starter plants in terms of cost, time, effort, variety, success rates, and overall results—so you can choose the right path for your herb garden.

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The Basics: What’s the Difference?

Seeds: You start with small packets of herb seeds and grow the plants yourself, usually indoors in trays or directly outside when the weather allows.
Plants (or “Starts”): These are young, partially grown herbs purchased from nurseries, garden centers, or online. They’re ready to transplant into pots or garden beds.

Quick Answer

If you're looking for convenience and faster results, buy starter plants.
If you want to save money and grow a wide variety, start from seeds.

But let’s dig deeper into the pros and cons of each method.

Growing Herbs from Seeds

✅ Pros

1. Much Cheaper

Seed packets usually cost $2–$4 and contain dozens or even hundreds of seeds. For the price of one potted plant, you can grow an entire herb garden.

2. Wider Variety

You’ll find a much larger selection of herbs as seeds than as live plants—especially unusual or heirloom varieties. Want purple basil, lemon thyme, or holy basil (tulsi)? You’re more likely to find them in seed catalogs.

3. Control Over Growing Conditions

Starting from seed allows you to control soil type, spacing, sunlight, and watering from the very beginning. That often results in stronger plants in the long term.

4. Satisfying Experience

Watching your herbs sprout and grow from seed is deeply rewarding. Many gardeners love the process as much as the result.

❌ Cons

1. Takes More Time

Most herbs take 4–12 weeks to mature from seed, especially if started indoors. You’ll wait longer for harvest than if you buy starter plants.

2. More Work Up Front

You’ll need to prepare seed trays or garden beds, keep seedlings warm and well-lit, and transplant them later. This can be tricky for beginners.

3. Lower Success Rates for Some Herbs

Certain herbs are notoriously hard to start from seed, such as rosemary, lavender, and bay laurel. Germination may be slow or unreliable.

Growing Herbs from Plants (Starts)

✅ Pros

1. Quick and Easy

Starter plants are ready to go. Just transplant into a container or garden bed, and you’re only days or weeks away from harvesting.

2. Ideal for Beginners

If you're new to gardening, starts are easier. They eliminate the hardest part—germinating seeds and nurturing delicate seedlings.

3. Reliable Growth

Young plants from nurseries are usually healthy and already acclimated to growing conditions, so you're less likely to deal with problems like damping off, poor germination, or transplant shock.

4. Immediate Satisfaction

Want fresh herbs on your kitchen windowsill right now? Buying starter plants gets you there fast.

❌ Cons

1. More Expensive

Each potted herb plant may cost $4–$8 (or more), and that adds up quickly if you're planting a large garden.

2. Limited Variety

Garden centers typically stock only common herbs like basil, parsley, thyme, and mint. If you want something unique, you’ll need to look elsewhere—or start from seed.

3. Less Root Adaptation

Plants grown in nurseries may be pot-bound or stressed by transport. They may also struggle to adapt to your local soil or climate.

Comparison Table: Seeds vs. Plants

Factor	Seeds	Plants (Starts)
Cost	Low	High
Time to Harvest	Slower (4–12+ weeks)	Faster (1–3 weeks)
Variety Available	Wide (common + rare)	Limited (mostly common herbs)
Effort Required	High (sowing, caring, transplanting)	Low (plant and go)
Success Rate	Medium (varies by herb)	High
Learning Experience	Great for hands-on learners	Easier for beginners
Best For	Budget growers, rare herb seekers	Quick harvest, casual gardeners

Best Herbs to Grow from Seed

Some herbs grow easily from seed and germinate quickly, making them ideal for beginner gardeners.

🌿 Easy Herbs to Grow from Seed:

Basil
Cilantro (Coriander)
Dill
Chives
Parsley
Oregano
Thyme
Arugula (technically a salad green but often used as an herb)

Tips:

Use a seed-starting mix (light, sterile soil) for best results.
Keep the soil warm (65–75°F) and moist until germination.
Provide plenty of sunlight or grow lights—most seedlings need 12–16 hours of light per day.
Harden off seedlings before transplanting outdoors.

Best Herbs to Grow from Plants

Some herbs are slow to sprout or require very specific conditions to germinate, making them easier to grow from established plants.

🌿 Best Herbs to Buy as Starter Plants:

Rosemary – Very slow and fussy to germinate.
Lavender – Requires light, patience, and often cold stratification.
Bay Laurel – Grows very slowly from seed.
Tarragon – Most French tarragon doesn’t produce viable seeds.
Mint – Can grow from seed, but starts give more predictable flavor and vigor.
Lemongrass – Can be started from stalks or cuttings instead of seed.

Special Considerations

Indoor Herb Gardens

If you’re growing indoors year-round, starter plants give you instant greenery. But with patience and a sunny window (or grow lights), seeds can also thrive indoors.

Organic and Heirloom Gardening

If you want to avoid pesticides or grow unique heritage herbs, seeds give you more control and access to specialty varieties.

Kids and Educational Gardens

Seeds are a great choice if you want children to learn about plant life cycles from scratch. Watching herbs sprout teaches patience and responsibility.

A Balanced Approach: Combine Both

You don’t have to choose just one method. Many gardeners use both strategies:

Grow fast and easy herbs from seed (like basil, cilantro, and parsley).
Buy starts for slow-growing or difficult herbs (like rosemary or lavender).
This saves money while maximizing success.

Final Thoughts: Seeds vs. Plants—Which Is Better?

There’s no single answer—just the best fit for your needs.

Choose seeds if you:

Want to save money
Enjoy starting things from scratch
Want access to rare or heirloom varieties
Have time and patience to wait

Choose plants if you:

Want a quick harvest
Have limited time or experience
Prefer convenience over variety
Are planting a small number of herbs

If you’re a beginner, start with a few purchased plants to get the hang of herb care. As you gain confidence, you can try starting herbs from seed and expand your garden affordably.

Pro Tips for Success

Label everything: It’s easy to forget which herb is which.
Use proper lighting: Especially for seed starting—don’t rely on dim windows.
Water smart: Don’t overwater seedlings. Let the top of the soil dry slightly between waterings.
Harvest regularly: Whether from seeds or starts, regular trimming encourages bushier growth and better flavor.

Whether you start with seeds or starter plants, growing herbs is a fulfilling and practical hobby. With a little care, you'll enjoy fresh flavor at your fingertips—and the satisfaction of growing it yourself.

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About the Author: Alex Assoune

Alex Assoune (MS) is a global health and environmental advocate. He founded Panaprium to inspire others with conscious living, ethical, and sustainable fashion. Alex has worked in many countries to address social and environmental issues. He speaks three languages and holds two Master of Science degrees in Engineering from SIGMA and IFPEN schools.

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