When To Plant Herbs In Texas

When to plant herbs in Texas depends on your specific region, your local frost dates, and the herb’s own heat tolerance.

The Lone Star State is massive, spanning multiple USDA hardiness zones, so the perfect time to plant herbs in Texas for a gardener in Amarillo won’t be the same for someone in Corpus Christi.

The good news is that you can grow delicious herbs year-round in Texas if you know which season each herb loves.

In this post, we’ll break down when to plant herbs in Texas by season, explain the best times for popular varieties, and give you a foolproof schedule to keep your garden thriving.

Let’s dig in.

When to Plant Herbs in Texas: The Seasonal Breakdown

When to plant herbs in Texas really comes down to working with our wild weather swings.

Texas summers are brutal, and our winters can surprise you with a late freeze.

So when you’re figuring out when to plant herbs in Texas, you have to plan around two main planting windows: the cool season and the warm season.

Here’s how it breaks down.

1. Cool-Season Herbs: Plant in Late Winter to Early Spring

When to plant herbs in Texas for cool-season varieties is typically from late January through March.

These herbs love mild temperatures and will bolt or turn bitter when the heat hits.

– Cilantro: Plant cilantro in late January or February for a spring harvest before the heat arrives.
– Parsley: Start parsley in early February, and it will reward you well into late spring.
– Dill: Sow dill seeds directly in February or March, as it dislikes root disturbance.
– Chives: Plant chives in late winter, and they’ll come back strong even after a freeze.
– Thyme: Thyme is a tough perennial that you can plant in late winter, and it will tolerate light frosts.

You can also plant these same cool-season herbs again in September or October for a fall harvest, which is another key time when to plant herbs in Texas.

2. Warm-Season Herbs: Plant After the Last Frost

If you’re asking when to plant herbs in Texas for heat lovers, the answer is after the last frost date, usually mid-March in central Texas.

Wait until the soil warms up, or your warm-season herbs will sulk and rot.

– Basil: Plant basil outdoors in late March or early April, and it will explode with growth all summer.
– Oregano: Oregano loves the heat, so plant it in April for a long, productive season.
– Rosemary: While rosemary is a perennial, it’s best to plant new ones in early April after frost danger passes.
– Sage: Plant sage in April, and it will thrive in the hot Texas sun.
– Marjoram: This tender perennial goes in the ground in April, just like basil.

Once you know when to plant herbs in Texas for each group, you can mix and match to have a full herb garden for most of the year.

When to Plant Herbs in Texas by Region

When to plant herbs in Texas isn’t a one-size-fits-all answer, so let’s look at the main regions.

North Texas (Dallas-Fort Worth)

In North Texas, your last frost is usually around mid-March, and your first fall frost hits in early November.

So when to plant herbs in Texas for this region means starting cool-season herbs in late February and warm-season herbs in late March.

For a fall planting, get your cool-season herbs in the ground by late September.

Central Texas (Austin and San Antonio)

Central Texas has a longer growing season, with the last frost around early March.

When to plant herbs in Texas for this area means you can plant cool-season herbs in February and warm-season herbs in mid-March.

Fall planting for cool-season herbs can happen as late as early October, since you often don’t see a hard freeze until December.

South Texas (Houston and the Valley)

South Texas rarely sees hard freezes, so when to plant herbs in Texas here is a bit more flexible.

You can plant cool-season herbs in January, and warm-season herbs as early as late February.

You can even grow many herbs through the winter if you choose the right varieties, making the question of when to plant herbs in Texas much easier to answer down south.

West Texas (El Paso and the Panhandle)

West Texas has the shortest growing season, with late frosts that can hit in mid-April.

When to plant herbs in Texas for this region means being patient.

Plant cool-season herbs in early March, but wait until mid-to-late April for warm-season herbs.

Your fall window closes quickly, so plant cool-season herbs by mid-September.

Best Herbs to Plant in Texas and Their Ideal Months

Let’s get specific about when to plant herbs in Texas for the most popular varieties.

Basil

Basil is a summer staple, so when to plant herbs in Texas for basil is after the soil hits 70°F.

Plant it in late March or April, and you’ll have fresh leaves until the first cold snap.

You can plant basil again in July for a fall harvest, as it will grow quickly in the heat.

Cilantro

Cilantro is the opposite of basil, and it hates the heat.

When to plant herbs in Texas for cilantro is in late January or February, and again in September.

It will bolt as soon as temperatures regularly hit the mid-80s, so enjoy it while it lasts.

Rosemary

Rosemary is a perennial that can live for years in Texas.

When to plant herbs in Texas for rosemary is best in April, but you can plant it any time from March through October.

It loves full sun and well-drained soil, and it rarely needs extra water once established.

Mint

Mint is a hardy perennial that can handle both cool and warm weather.

When to plant herbs in Texas for mint is best in early spring, either March or April.

Just be careful, mint spreads like crazy, so plant it in a container to keep it contained.

Dill

Dill is a cool-season herb that dislikes transplanting.

When to plant herbs in Texas for dill is to sow seeds directly in February or March.

You can also plant it again in September for a fall crop, as dill does fine in cooler temperatures.

So, When to Plant Herbs in Texas?

When to plant herbs in Texas is all about timing your planting to match the seasons.

The best time to plant herbs in Texas for cool-season varieties is late winter to early spring, around February or March.

The best time to plant herbs in Texas for warm-season varieties is after the last frost, typically mid-to-late March or April.

And for a second harvest, you can plant cool-season herbs again in early fall, around September or October.

By following these windows, you’ll have a constant supply of fresh herbs no matter where you live in the Lone Star State.

So get your soil ready, check your local frost dates, and start planting herbs in Texas at the perfect time for a bountiful garden.