🌿 Herbs for Zone 12
The best herbs to grow in Zone 12 — with variety tips, planting times, and care notes.
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Growing herbs in Zone 12
In Zone 12's heat, Mediterranean and tropical herbs shine — rosemary, oregano, and lemongrass thrive, and many herbs grow year-round. Cool-season herbs like cilantro and dill are best grown from fall through spring, since they bolt fast in summer.
The herbs below grow well in Zone 12. Use the zone's frost dates — last frost None, first frost None — to time sowing and transplanting right.
Herbs are among the highest-value crops by square foot and among the easiest to grow. Most culinary herbs prefer well-drained soil and at least partial sun. Annual herbs like basil are direct-sown each season; perennial herbs like rosemary and thyme return year after year in mild zones.
Zone 12 at a glance
- Last frost
- None
- First frost
- None
- Climate
- Tropical — Puerto Rico, US Virgin Islands, Hawaii (sea level)
- Soil notes
- Highly variable — volcanic soils in Hawaii range from extremely fertile to barren lava flows. Puerto Rico has clay-heavy soils in some areas and fertile alluvial soils in river valleys. Sandy coastal soils require heavy organic amendment.
Popular herbs for Zone 12
Annual; needs warmth and full sun. Pinch flowers to extend harvest.
Perennial in Zone 7+; drought-tolerant once established.
Hardy perennial in most zones; low-growing and drought-tolerant.
Biennial grown as annual; tolerates partial shade.
Perennial; among the easiest herbs to grow.
Cool-season annual; bolts quickly in heat. Succession-sow.
Annual; self-seeds freely. Avoid planting near fennel.
Perennial in Zone 5+; intensifies in flavour when dry.
Perennial; invasive — grow in containers.
Perennial in Zone 5+; requires excellent drainage.
Tips for growing herbs in Zone 12
- 1
Don't over-fertilise herbs — rich soil reduces essential oil concentration and flavour.
- 2
Harvest regularly to prevent flowering (bolting), which turns leaves bitter.
- 3
Group drought-tolerant herbs (rosemary, thyme, sage) together and moisture-loving herbs (basil, mint, parsley) separately.
- 4
Mint spreads aggressively — always grow it in containers.
- 5
Plant root crops (taro, yuca, yams) as year-round staples
- 6
Grow spice crops: turmeric, ginger, lemongrass, allspice