Before you start
Growing herbs from seed doesn't need to be complicated. Before you begin, check the instructions supplied with your seeds, get your pot and compost ready and choose a suitable place for your herbs to grow.
Different herbs have slightly different needs, so use this page for the growing basics and your individual Herb Growing Guide for advice specific to the herb you're growing.
Getting your seeds started
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Prepare
Fill your pot with compost, leaving a little space below the rim. Gently level the surface without pressing it down too firmly, ready for sowing.
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Sow
Follow the instructions supplied with your seeds for how deeply and how thinly to sow them. Different herbs have different sowing requirements, so check your individual Herb Growing Guide if you're unsure.
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Water
Water gently after sowing and keep an eye on the compost while your seeds germinate. Aim to keep it moist without leaving it constantly saturated or waterlogged.
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Position
Give your seeds the light and warmth they need to germinate and grow. The best conditions vary between herbs, so check your Herb Growing Guide for more specific positioning advice.
What happens next?
Growing from seed takes a little patience. The first thing you'll usually notice is a small shoot appearing above the compost, followed by new leaves as the seedling begins to establish.
Don't worry if every seed doesn't appear at exactly the same time. Germination and growth can vary between herbs — and even between seeds in the same pot. As your seedlings develop, their needs will gradually change too.
From seedling to harvest
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Young seedlings
Young seedlings are still developing their roots and can be vulnerable to drying out, overwatering and poor light. Keep checking them regularly and give them time to become established before expecting lots of growth.
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Growing on
As your herbs become established, they'll need enough light, space and water to continue developing. Different herbs grow at different rates and have different preferences, so this is a good time to follow the advice in your individual Herb Growing Guide.
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Harvesting
Once your herbs are established and producing healthy growth, you can begin enjoying them. How and when you harvest depends on the herb you're growing, so check its growing guide before you start cutting.
Need some help?
Not everything goes perfectly when you're growing from seed. If something doesn't look right, our troubleshooting guide can help you work through common problems. For advice specific to the herb you're growing, head to its individual growing guide.