🌿 Herbs for Zone 13
The best herbs to grow in Zone 13 — with variety tips, planting times, and care notes.
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Growing herbs in Zone 13
In Zone 13'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 13. 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 13 at a glance
- Last frost
- None
- First frost
- None
- Climate
- Tropical Hot — Hawaii (lowest elevations), Guam, American Samoa
- Soil notes
- Volcanic and coral-derived soils. Young lava flows are extremely infertile; older volcanic soils are deeply rich. Coral-derived soils on Pacific islands are alkaline and require acidification for many crops.
Popular herbs for Zone 13
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 13
- 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
Build soil fertility aggressively — compost, biochar, organic matter
- 6
Grow traditional Pacific staples: breadfruit, taro, coconut, banana