Think it’s too late to start an herb garden in Mississippi? Think again. Our long, warm growing season makes mid-summer planting surprisingly productive—especially for herbs that love the heat.
Fast growers like basil, cilantro, and dill thrive in containers or garden beds, racing from seed to harvest in just weeks. Southern sunshine gives them exactly what they need to flourish.
Whether you’re working with acres or a sunny windowsill, fresh herbs are still within reach. Plant now and you’ll be seasoning fall meals with garden-grown flavor in no time.
1. Basil
Seeds sprout in less than a week in Mississippi’s warm soil. I’ve started basil in July and still harvested plenty before fall.
The heat-loving nature of this herb makes it perfect for our Southern summers. Just give it well-draining soil and watch it take off.
Try growing several varieties – Thai, lemon, or cinnamon basil all grow just as quickly as the common sweet basil and offer unique flavors for cooking.
2. Cilantro
Despite its reputation as a cool-season herb, quick-growing cilantro can be succession planted throughout Mississippi summers. Plant new seeds every two weeks for a continuous harvest.
Last August, I planted cilantro in a partially shaded spot and had usable leaves within 3 weeks. The key is providing afternoon shade when temperatures soar.
For best results, choose a bolt-resistant variety like ‘Slow Bolt’ or ‘Leisure’ to extend your harvest in our hot climate.
3. Dill
From seed to usable leaves takes just 25 days with dill. The feathery foliage grows quickly in our Mississippi soil when given full sun.
One small patch can provide plenty for pickling, fish dishes, and salads. I’ve found it grows particularly well in raised beds where the soil warms quickly.
Don’t worry about planting too much – dill attracts beneficial insects like butterflies and predatory wasps that help control garden pests naturally.
4. Chives
You’ll see sprouts in about 10-14 days, with harvestable chives in just a month. The mild onion flavor makes them worth the short wait.
Last year, I started chives in a window box in late July in central Mississippi and had plenty for garnishing by Labor Day. They don’t mind our humidity one bit.
Unlike some herbs, chives will continue growing well into fall and often survive our mild winters, giving you a head start for next year’s garden.
5. Mint
Growing mint from cuttings is almost foolproof and produces usable leaves within weeks. Simply place a cutting in water until roots form, then plant in soil.
The aggressive growing habit that makes gardeners cautious also means quick results. One small plant purchased now will spread rapidly in our Mississippi climate.
Always keep mint contained in pots unless you want it taking over your garden. I learned this lesson the hard way after planting some near my tomatoes a few summers ago!
6. Parsley
While parsley seeds can be slow to germinate, starter plants from the nursery will grow quickly even this late in the season. The flat-leaf variety tends to grow faster than curly types in our climate.
For a gardener with limited space, few herbs offer more value. A single plant in a one-gallon pot can provide garnish for months of meals.
Parsley tolerates Mississippi’s heat surprisingly well when given consistent moisture. I keep mine in a pot near the kitchen door for easy access when cooking.
7. Oregano
Starting with small nursery plants gives you harvestable oregano in just weeks. This Mediterranean herb actually prefers our hot, somewhat dry conditions.
Last summer, I planted a small oregano start in mid-July, and by September, it had tripled in size. The strong flavor intensifies in Mississippi’s heat.
Unlike some herbs, oregano doesn’t need rich soil – our native sandy soil works fine as long as it drains well. Just avoid overwatering, which can lead to root rot in our humid climate.
8. Thyme
This low-growing herb establishes quickly from small plants or cuttings. Within a month, you’ll have enough to start harvesting the aromatic leaves.
The drought-tolerant nature makes thyme perfect for Mississippi’s occasional dry spells. Once established, it rarely needs watering except during extreme heat.
I’ve found lemon thyme particularly easy to grow in our region. It adds a bright citrus note to dishes and seems to tolerate our humidity better than common thyme varieties.
9. Lemon Balm
You’ll see new growth within days of planting this vigorous herb. The lemony scent intensifies in our warm climate, making it excellent for teas and desserts.
Given our long growing season, a small plant purchased now will grow into a substantial bush by fall. Just make sure to keep it contained – it spreads enthusiastically.
Even in the shadier parts of my Mississippi garden, lemon balm grows without complaint. This adaptability makes it perfect for those tricky spots where other herbs might struggle.
10. Marjoram
Often overlooked, marjoram grows surprisingly fast in our Mississippi heat. Within three weeks of planting, you’ll have enough to start harvesting.
The sweet, mild flavor makes it worth adding to your herb garden, even this late in the season. Use it fresh for the best flavor – it’s milder than its cousin oregano.
Growing marjoram in a container on my south-facing porch has worked well for me. The plant appreciates the excellent drainage and protection from our occasional heavy rains.
11. Summer Savory
From seed to harvest takes just 6-8 weeks with this underappreciated herb. The peppery, thyme-like flavor develops quickly in our warm climate.
I’ve found summer savory particularly easy to grow in Mississippi’s clay-heavy soils. It doesn’t demand the perfect drainage that some Mediterranean herbs require.
For the quickest results, start with small plants from a nursery. By the time your summer tomatoes are ripening, you’ll have plenty of this herb to complement them in sauces and salads.
12. Lemongrass
Starting with a small division from a garden center gives you usable stalks within a month. This tropical grass loves our Mississippi heat and humidity.
The impressive growth rate means even late plantings will develop into substantial clumps by season’s end. I’ve seen it grow over a foot in just a few weeks during August.
Besides culinary uses, lemongrass helps repel mosquitoes – a welcome bonus during our long summer evenings. Plant it near patios or seating areas for this natural bug-deterrent effect.
13. Sage
While not the fastest herb to establish, small sage plants from the nursery will still provide usable leaves this season. The silvery-green foliage stands up well to our humidity.
Last year, I planted sage in a container in late July and was using fresh leaves for fall dishes by October. The flavor actually improves after light frosts touch the leaves.
Choose a spot with excellent drainage for best results in our sometimes-rainy climate. Raised beds or containers work particularly well for sage in Mississippi gardens.
14. Rosemary
While slow-growing long-term, small rosemary plants establish quickly enough to harvest sprigs within a month. The woody stems and needle-like leaves develop their signature fragrance fast.
The drought-tolerance makes rosemary perfect for Mississippi’s occasional dry spells. Once established, it rarely needs supplemental water except during extreme heat.
I’ve found the upright varieties like ‘Tuscan Blue’ establish more quickly than prostrate types in our climate. Just make sure to plant in very well-draining soil to prevent root rot.
15. Garlic Chives
Sprouting within days, garlic chives provide harvestable leaves in just 3-4 weeks. The flat leaves offer a mild garlic flavor perfect for garnishing summer dishes.
Unlike regular chives, these thrive in Mississippi’s heat and keep producing all summer long. They’re particularly good companions for tomatoes and peppers in the garden.
The pretty white star-shaped flowers appear in late summer, attracting beneficial insects. I let some of mine bloom each year to help pollinate my fall vegetable garden.
16. Stevia
The natural sweetener herb establishes quickly from small plants purchased at nurseries. Within weeks, you’ll have leaves sweet enough to harvest.
Stevia appreciates our long growing season and produces more leaves than you might expect before frost. Just one plant provides enough sweetener for dozens of cups of tea.
I’ve grown stevia successfully in partial shade in my Mississippi garden, which seems to prevent the leaves from becoming bitter in our intense summer heat.
17. Vietnamese Coriander
For those who find cilantro bolts too quickly in our heat, Vietnamese coriander is the answer. It grows explosively fast in Mississippi’s climate, often doubling in size weekly.
The spicy, cilantro-like flavor with hints of lemon makes it perfect for summer salads and Asian dishes. Unlike true cilantro, it thrives in our hottest months without complaint.
I keep mine in a container where it can receive afternoon shade and plenty of water. With these conditions, it produces flavorful leaves continuously until the first frost.
18. Tarragon
French tarragon grows steadily from small nursery plants, providing harvestable leaves within a month. The anise-like flavor develops well even when planted this late in Mississippi.
Choosing a spot with morning sun and afternoon shade helps tarragon thrive through our hottest months. I’ve found it does surprisingly well on my east-facing porch.
Make sure to purchase French tarragon plants, not Russian tarragon, which grows easily from seed but lacks flavor. The true French variety must be grown from cuttings or purchased plants.
19. Borage
From seed to flower takes just 8 weeks with this fast-growing herb. The cucumber-flavored leaves are usable much sooner – often within 3-4 weeks of planting.
The beautiful blue flowers attract bees and butterflies to your Mississippi garden, helping pollinate late-season vegetables. Few herbs offer both culinary use and pollinator benefits so quickly.
Borage reseeds readily in our climate, often returning year after year without effort. I started with just a few plants three years ago and now have volunteers appearing throughout my garden each summer.