Fastest Growing Herbs Ranked — For Impatient Gardeners

Want herbs NOW? These herbs grow from seed to harvest faster than you'd think. Ranked from fastest (14 days) to slowest (90 days) with exact timelines. This guide covers everything you need to know about this topic, including common causes, step-by-step solutions, and answers to frequently asked questions.

Here are the key things to understand: Microgreens (basil, cilantro): 7-14 days seed to harvest. Chives: first cut at 30 days from transplant, regrows indefinitely. Basil: 21-28 days from transplant to first harvest. Cilantro: 21-30 days from seed to first leaf harvest. Mint: 14-21 days from cutting to rooted plant, first harvest at 30 days. Understanding these fundamentals will help you diagnose and resolve this issue more effectively.

The most common reasons this occurs include: Most beginning herb growers underestimate how long herbs take from seed. Knowing exact timelines prevents frustration and manages expectations. Starting from transplants vs seeds dramatically changes the timeline. Some herbs are worth buying as starts rather than growing from seed. Identifying the root cause is the first step toward finding the right solution.

To resolve this, follow these recommended steps: For instant gratification: buy nursery starts — harvest in 1-2 weeks. For fastest from seed: grow microgreens — harvest in 7-14 days. For quickest perennial: plant mint cuttings — they root in days. For continuous harvest: succession sow fast herbs like cilantro every 2-3 weeks. Avoid growing slow herbs from seed (rosemary, lavender) — buy transplants instead. If these steps do not resolve the issue, consider consulting additional resources or a qualified professional.

This article is part of our herbs collection on Houseplants Wiki. We provide comprehensive, up-to-date information to help you find solutions quickly.