The Definitive Guide to Living in the Capital , Cairo , Egypt

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One of the best things about growing herbs is their versatility. Most can be grown inside or outside in containers with potting soil or planted directly in the ground. Many of us are guilty of unintentionally leaving our herbs and greens to wilt away in the fridge, but growing them yourself seems like the perfect solution. Fresh herbs add tons of flavour, fragrance, and colour to any dish, and growing them in your very own kitchen is not as much of a hassle as people think. Aromatic plants are easy to grow, even for beginners. Add these six easy-to-grow herbs to beds and containers in sunny spots, and you’ll soon be enjoying your own herbal harvest right in your kitchen. 

Cilantro

The bright green, fine-textured cilantro leaves are often used to flavour and garnish various dishes. Mahshy and salads with freshly grown cilantro? Yes, please! The plants grow best in cool weather and are best grown in full sun to part shade and moist, well-drained soil. 

Dill

Dill is the classic pickle flavouring, but its uses go far beyond that. The punch you get from dill is unmatched, especially the flavour it gives fish, potato dishes, and mahshy. It adds zing and freshness to anything and grows best in the full sun and moist, well-drained soil.

Mint

We all grew up with at least one of our grandparents growing mint on their balcony or North Coast garden. Mint has a fresh, vibrant flavour that can perk up various foods and drinks. It is enjoyed in hot tea and many cocktails and gives a tasty zing to fattoush salad. Mint is almost too easy to grow because this herb tends to overgrow and can be hard to eliminate once it’s taken over a spot. Their growing conditions also require full sun to part shade exposure and moist, well-drained soil. 

Parsley

Parsley has a fresh, palate-cleansing flavour and is often used as a garnish because of its delicate leaves, firm texture, and bright colour. Parsley is also featured in some pesto variations and herbal salad dressings—and is super easy to grow! Like the others, parsley also needs full sun to part shade and moist, well-drained soil to flourish. 

Thyme

Thyme bears heady aromatic leaves that grow in sunny areas with fertile and well-drained soil. Its flavour depends on the variety chosen and is commonly used in meat dishes, soups, and stews. Planting thyme in clay pots lets the soil dry out between waterings because it could die from soggy roots. Pruning and regularly snipping the tips of the plants to encourage new growth is advised. 

Marjoram

All varieties of marjoram are popular in the kitchen as a seasoning for numerous dishes and their enticing fragrance. Marjoram should be planted in areas receiving full sunlight with well-drained soil, but preferably at room temperature. Since marjoram is tolerant of drought, it makes an exceptional plant for beginner herb growers. If you forget to water it, that’s okay!