Herbs

Herbs

Shop and grow herb seeds and plants for home gardens. Urban Farmer has trialed several herb varieties to find the highest quality plants. Our herb seeds have high yields, easy to grow, and have great flavor.

Dolce Fresca basil seeds produce a compact, modern Genovese-type basil developed through contemporary breeding to deliver classic Italian basil flavor in a more controlled, uniform plant. Sometimes referred to as Dolce Fresca Genovese or compact sweet basil, this variety is prized for its glossy, deep-green leaves, dense growth habit, and exceptional aroma, making it ideal for containers, raised beds, and small gardens. Plants typically reach about 10–14 inches tall and produce broad, tender leaves with a rich, sweet flavor perfect for pesto, fresh sauces, and garnishes. For best results, sow seeds after the danger of frost has passed or start indoors 4–6 weeks early, transplanting once nights are warm. Grow Dolce Fresca basil in full sun with well-drained, fertile soil, water consistently, and pinch regularly to encourage bushy growth and delay flowering. 2015 All American Selection winner.

Garlic Geisha chive seeds produce an ornamental and culinary allium developed for its graceful form and mild garlic flavor, offering a refined alternative to traditional garlic chives. Sometimes marketed as Garlic Geisha or ornamental garlic chives, this variety features slender, arching green leaves and elegant white star-shaped flowers that bloom in late summer and attract pollinators. The foliage has a gentle garlic aroma and taste, making it ideal for fresh use in salads, soups, and garnishes without overpowering dishes. Easy to grow and perennial in most climates, Garlic Geisha chives thrive in full sun to partial shade and prefer well-drained soil with moderate fertility. Sow seeds in spring or fall, keep soil evenly moist during establishment, and divide mature clumps every few years to maintain vigor and continuous growth.

Hyssop is a popular ornamental herb in the mint family that is great for attracting bees and other beneficial insects to the garden. This herb produces bright blue to violet flowers that are used to make a soothing tea. You can harvest the flowers in midsummer and hang them upside down under shade to dry.

Vesta 64 is a well developed bright leaf Virginian type tobacco that grows up to 4 1/2 to 5 feet in height to the crows foot. The plant produces from 18 to 20 leaves on average that measure 20 to 26 inches in length and 10 to 12 inches wide. It reaches maturity in 55-60 days. The leaf air cures to a light golden brown, or flu cures to a bright yellow. It is a vigorous grower and is a black shank resistant.

Bucak was developed in Turkey from a flu cured, bright leaf Virginian tobacco imported in the 1930's from the US. It grows to 5' in height with large heavy leaves densely spaced on the stalk, and matures in 50 days. Averages 20 leaves per plant, 12"-14" wide and 22"-26" long. It tolerates heavy rains and wind well and will withstand early fall frosts with little or no damage. It air cures easily to a light brown.

Ainaro is a variety of Dark sun-cured leaf. It was collected from the tobacco garden of a simple home outside the town of Ainaro, by Anton Eise DeVries, during his exploration of Timor Leste in 2016. The most distinctive characteristic of its large leaves is their petiole (bare leaf stem), suggestive of some pre WW2, Japanese cigar varieties. It can be stalk-cut, and sun-cured on the stalk, or primed. The finished leaf has a spicy character. It also cooks into a tasty Cavendish. Suitable for pipe blending.

Dark Opal basil seeds produce a striking variety of basil known for its deep purple leaves and aromatic qualities. This cultivar has roots in the Mediterranean, where basil has been treasured for centuries for its culinary and medicinal uses. Dark Opal basil's leaves are not only visually stunning but also boast a slightly spicy, clove-like flavor that enhances a wide range of dishes, from salads to pasta. The plants typically grow 12-24 inches tall and have a bushy, compact form, making them ideal for containers and garden beds. Dark Opal basil thrives in full sun and well-drained soil, requiring regular watering to maintain its vibrant color and flavor. With a growing season of about 60-90 days, leaves can be harvested throughout the summer, with peak flavor before flowering. This variety not only serves as a delicious culinary herb but also adds ornamental beauty to gardens, attracting pollinators while deterring pests. Its unique color and robust flavor make Dark Opal basil a favorite among gardeners and chefs alike.

Yellow Orinoco is an heirloom bright leaf which originated from the Virginian Orinoco's. It grows to 5' producing an average of 16 leaves per plant below the crows foot. It matures early at 55 days. Suckering is low, and is less than with White Stemmed or Frog Eye Orinoco. Leaves are light to medium green and average 12" to 14" wide and 24" to 26" long, with yields of 3 oz of dried leaf per plant. Leaves air cure to a light brown.

The Greek Oregano is a popular herb with an excellent flavor that is a must for many Italian dishes like fish, pizza, tomato sauce and dressings. This perennial has a stronger and more aromatic fragrance than the common oregano and is known for its culinary and ornamental uses. Enjoy the Greek Oregano's beautiful purple blooms all summer long!

A tall growing Hungarian variety that reaches 6-7 feet in height. Leaves are long and narrow and ripen in 65-70 days. Plant closely resembles Orinoco.

Papante is a primitive variety that likely comes from southeastern area of the Mexican state of Sonora. A specimen is on display at the Conservation Center in Tucson, AZ. The plant's general appearance resembles that of both Little Dutch and Mountain Pima, though the leaf is a much darker green. It has been incorrectly listed and sold as Nicotiana rustica. Air-cures to a soft, light brown. Useful for cigarette, pipe blending and cigar filler. It’s relatively square secondary vein angle allows it to be used for cigar wrapper or binder. Days to Maturity: 52-60, Plant Height: 40-48 inches, Leaf Count: 19

Borage is a mounded plant that produces beautiful blue flowers that are great for using as a garnish for different dishes or drinks. This large variety is a self seeding annual that bears hundreds of small edible flowers, mostly blue and some pink, over a long harvest. Borage has a mild cucumber flavor that is great for salads and garnishes. Medicinal: Seed oil is a rich source of gamma-linolenic acid.

Catnip is a very fragrant herb that is great for making aromatic teas, as well as giving it to your cats as a treat! This vigorous plant is not only great for playing with a cat, but is also known for having medicinal properties for getting rid of the cold and flu. Conventional seed available.

Negro Black Also called "Tabaco Negro" in Spanish, is a name for dark tobacco that is dark in color and strong in taste. Black or dark tobacco is primarily used in cigars and dark cigarettes. It is often slowly darkened by a long curing and fermenting process to give a dark brown to black tobacco with exceptionally mild smoking characteristics. Negro Black grows 5' to 6' in height with a classic Virginian type plant form and leaf shape. The leaves are a medium to dark green averaging 12" to 14" in width and 20" to 22" in length. It matures in 55-60 days.

Pennsylvania Red is a rich full flavored tobacco and a long time favorite of cigar makers as a filler or binder. It grows to 5' in height and has very large long deep colored leaves reaching 3' in length. A very good producer with leaves cure to a deep reddish brown.

NB 11 is a Burley tobacco developed in New Brunswick Canada. The pant reaches a height of 5' to the crows foot with 14 - 16 very thick and heavy weight leaves. The pyramidal plant form and low height gives it excellent resistance to wind and heavy rains. Maturity and blooming occurs at about 65-70 days with the leaf ripening about 10 later.

Mount Pima is usually classified as a Rustica, although this may be incorrect. It has the characteristic typical of N. Tobaccums. The leaves are large and pointed and it produces a pink flowers typical of tobaccum varieties, instead of the rounded leaves and yellow flowers of Rusticas. It grows to 3-4 feet in height and is very hardy. Leaves cure to a light brown and are mild to smoke.

Cinnamon basil seeds produce a fragrant herb known for its unique, spicy flavor reminiscent of cinnamon, which is a result of its distinct oil composition. Originating from the Mediterranean region, cinnamon basil (Ocimum basilicum 'Cinnamon') has been cultivated for centuries, often used in culinary dishes and traditional remedies. The plants typically grow to about 12-24 inches tall, featuring dark green leaves with reddish-purple stems, adding visual appeal to gardens. The leaves are slightly crinkled and can be harvested throughout the growing season, with peak flavor occurring just before the plant flowers. Cinnamon basil thrives in warm, sunny conditions and well-drained soil, making it an excellent choice for home gardens and containers. Its growth habit is bushy and upright, attracting pollinators while deterring pests. With a growing season of about 60-90 days, cinnamon basil is not only a flavorful addition to dishes like Thai curry and salads but also an attractive herb that enhances any garden space.