The Best Thai Herbs and Spices To Grow at Home

If you enjoy gardening and cooking, growing your own herbs and spices provides you with the best of both worlds. Herbs and spices allow you to improve any meal with deeper flavors, more health benefits, and greater variety.

Growing your own Thai herbs and spices at home can add a whole new dimension of flavor to your dishes. Not only will you have fresh ingredients on hand, but you'll also save money and have the satisfaction of growing them yourself. In this article, we will explore the best Thai herbs and spices to grow at home and provide tips on how to cultivate and use them in your cooking.

1. Lemongrass

Lemongrass is a popular Thai herb used in soups, curries, and stir-fries. It has a lemony flavor and can be used fresh or dried. Lemongrass can be grown in a pot indoors or outdoors in a warm, sunny location. It requires well-drained soil and regular watering.

2. Thai Basil

Thai basil is an essential ingredient in many Thai dishes, including pad kra pao and green curry. It has a sweet, licorice-like flavor and can be grown in a pot indoors or outdoors in a sunny location. Thai basil requires well-drained soil and regular watering.

3. Kaffir Lime Leaves

Kaffir lime leaves are used in a variety of Thai dishes, including tom yum soup and green curry. They have a unique, citrusy flavor and can be grown in a pot indoors or outdoors in a sunny location. Kaffir lime leaves require well-drained soil and regular watering.

4. Galangal

Galangal is a root similar to ginger but with a more intense flavor. It is used in many Thai curries and soups. Galangal can be grown in a pot indoors or outdoors in a sunny location. It requires well-drained soil and regular watering.

5. Holy Basil

Holy basil, also known as tulsi, has a spicy, peppery flavor and is used in many Thai dishes, including pad kra pao and tom yum soup. It can be grown in a pot indoors or outdoors in a sunny location. Holy basil requires well-drained soil and regular watering.

6. Coriander

Coriander, also known as cilantro, is a common herb used in many Thai dishes, including green curry and tom yum soup. It has a bright, citrusy flavor and can be grown in a pot indoors or outdoors in a sunny location. Coriander requires well-drained soil and regular watering.

7. Turmeric

Turmeric is a root that is used to give Thai curries their bright yellow color. It has a slightly bitter, earthy flavor and can be grown in a pot indoors or outdoors in a warm, sunny location. Turmeric requires well-drained soil and regular watering.

8. Thai Chilies

Thai chilies are a staple in Thai cooking and are used to add heat and flavor to many dishes, including pad Thai and green curry. They can be grown in a pot indoors or outdoors in a sunny location. Thai chilies require well-drained soil and regular watering.

9. Pandan Leaves

Pandan leaves are used in many Thai desserts and have a sweet, vanilla-like flavor. They can be grown in a pot indoors or outdoors in a warm, sunny location. Pandan leaves require well-drained soil and regular watering.

10. Ginger

Ginger is used in many Thai dishes and has a slightly sweet, slightly spicy flavor. It can be grown in a pot indoors or outdoors in a warm, sunny location. Ginger requires well-drained soil and regular watering.

11. Garlic

Garlic is a common ingredient in many Thai dishes, including pad Thai and green

12. Parsley

Best known as the little garnish that high-class restaurants place on your meal, parsley is one of the easiest herbs to grow at home. Parsley is a hardy plant that allows plenty of room for error, and after you harvest it, the parsley will keep growing back. This ensures that you have a fresh supply of parsley year-round to garnish your meals. Make sure your parsley has moist, nutrient-rich soil, and it’s best to plant it in autumn or spring.

13. Cumin

Cumin is one of the most versatile spices. Suitable for nearly any type of food, cumin can give any meal a pleasant depth and heat. If you’re trying to commit to a new diet, growing cumin is a great idea. Cumin is a healthy way to add some excitement and enjoyment to your meals—especially if you’re trying out more niche diets. For example, something that not many people know about the keto diet is that your food will begin to taste oddly sweet. If this isn’t to your taste, cumin is the perfect way to keep your meats and vegetables from tasting too sweet.

14. Chives

Lastly, one of the best herbs to grow at home is chives because of how hardy they are. Unlike the other herbs and spices, chives prefer a cooler environment and are good seeds to plant during the winter. Their milder flavor adds more depth to dishes like soups, dips, potatoes, fish, and more without being too overwhelming. It's something you always need for your stir-fry.