Discover overwintering herbs and learn expert winter care tips, best herbs to save, and smart strategies to grow stronger plants indoors.
Discover overwintering herbs and learn expert winter care tips, best herbs to save, and smart strategies to grow stronger plants indoors.
Discover overwintering herbs and learn expert winter care tips, best herbs to save, and smart strategies to grow stronger plants indoors.
Winter hits hard, and if you grow herbs, you’ve probably asked yourself one big question: Should I save my herbs through winter or just start fresh in spring? The truth is, overwintering herbs can be a smart move but only for the right plants and the right reasons.
Let’s break it down in a simple, no-stress way so you can decide what’s actually worth your time.
Overwintering herbs simply means helping your herbs survive the cold season instead of letting them die off. This can involve bringing plants indoors, adding winter protection outdoors, or taking cuttings to grow inside.
The goal of overwintering herbs isn’t just survival it’s saving money, preserving mature plants, and getting a head start when spring arrives.
Not all herbs are created equal. Some are slow growers and struggle to bounce back if you replant them every year. These are the herbs where overwintering really pays off.
Herbs worth overwintering include:
These herbs grow slowly and aren’t fully cold-hardy, so bringing them indoors during winter helps them stay strong and productive.
Overwintering herbs like these can save you money and give you larger, healthier plants compared to starting from scratch.
Here’s the honest part: some herbs just aren’t worth the effort.
Fast-growing herbs such as basil, cilantro, and dill are incredibly easy to grow from seed. Even though you can overwinter them, most gardeners get better results by planting new seeds in spring.
If your herbs are already damaged by frost, pests, or disease, overwintering herbs won’t magically fix them. In those cases, composting and restarting is the smarter choice.
There’s no single “right” method it depends on how hands-on you want to be.
Common overwintering methods:
Taking cuttings is a great backup plan. Even if the original plant doesn’t survive winter, you’ll still have young plants ready for spring.
If you prefer low-effort gardening, choose herbs that naturally survive winter outdoors.
Cold-hardy herbs include:
These herbs can handle cold temperatures and often regrow without any special winter protection, making overwintering herbs outdoors much easier.
Overwintering herbs is worth it when:
It’s not worth it when:
Choose wisely, and winter gardening becomes far less stressful.
Overwintering herbs is simple if you choose the right plants. Slow-growing herbs are the easiest to overwinter successfully.
The best herbs for overwintering include rosemary, bay, marjoram, and lemongrass.
Yes, overwintering herbs indoors works well when they receive bright light and proper watering.
Overwintering herbs like basil and cilantro is possible, but starting fresh from seed usually gives better results.
Yes, overwintering herbs can save money by preserving mature plants and reducing the need to buy new ones each spring.
Overwintering herbs is a smart strategy for gardeners who want to save slow-growing or valuable plants, preserve mature herbs, and get a head start in spring. By understanding which herbs are worth saving, using simple indoor or outdoor methods, and focusing on low-effort options for cold-hardy plants, you can protect your garden, save money, and enjoy stronger, healthier herbs when the growing season returns. Choosing the right herbs and following these strategies makes winter gardening less stressful and far more rewarding.
For more tips on protecting plants during the cold season, check out our guide on Marigold Care 101: Protect and Regrow Marigolds in Winter to keep your marigolds thriving even in the harshest months.
