Perennial Medicinal Herbs That Survive Winter and Return Strong Each Spring

Perennial medicinal herbs such as common and garlic chives can easily be grown in well-drained garden soil. Not only are these perennial plants easy to cultivate, they’re also packed with natural antimicrobials, antioxidants, and mild nervines that make great additions to any health regimen.

Some plants need two years for full development, like ginseng and black cohosh (research-backed for menopausal symptoms). You can purchase these from local farmers or online herb starts.

Rosemary

Rosemary has long been used in different forms for medicinal, spiritual and culinary uses since ancient times. People treasure its deep flavor, aromatic scent and symbolic association to love and eternity – many keep sprigs under their pillows overnight to ward off nightmares!

This plant thrives in sunlight and well-draining soil, and can easily be grown at home, though heavy mulching during periods of high heat and drought is recommended for optimal results.

Rosemary makes a beautiful addition to any garden or landscape, as well as being an exquisite culinary herb. Pairing well with garlic and chives, adding rosemary sprigs directly onto the grill brings out the best flavor in meats and vegetables alike. Dried or fresh rosemary can also be used in tea; dried rosemary has stronger, more intense flavors that enhance both its aroma and taste. Rosemary can help increase immunity as well as ease respiratory issues such as seasonal colds by clearing away lymph nodes.

Thyme

Thyme (Thymus vulgaris) comes in many varieties and scents, but is best-known for common garden, lemon, mother-of-thyme and caraway varieties. All of them can be used to flavor soups, stews and sauces as well as serving as ground cover around stepping stones or rock gardens.

Antibacterial properties of tea come from its abundance of phenolic compounds such as caffeic acid, rosmarinic acid, luteolin and apigenin-7-oelucoside (Tzima 2020).

Most perennial herbs decrease their growth during fall and winter due to shorter day lengths, although harvesting still occurs from October until March (oregano can still be cut back almost to the ground), while others such as thyme can still be harvested by mulching during the winter to protect its roots and deer and rabbit resistant qualities. Its leaves can even be eaten without issue! Flowers begin appearing in early spring as an attractive groundcover in rock gardens or borders.

Lavender

Lavandula angustifolia, more commonly known as lavender, has long been revered as both an aromatic plant and medical remedy. Its relaxing and calming qualities have long been utilized in various products ranging from perfumes to fabric softeners.

Lavandula x intermedia is a hybrid cultivar that produces longer flower stems and stronger growth than standard lavender plants. Hidcote and Munstead varieties of this hybrid variety are particularly well-known examples of its variety.

Lavender thrives in soil that drains well. Avoid overwatering and apply fertilizer sparingly, to avoid soggy roots. Protect lavender during harsh winter conditions by adding mulch or frost-proof protection such as frost cloth. Annual pruning helps promote vigorous growth; spacing ensures adequate airflow between plants; companion planting with drought-tolerant species like sedum or ornamental grasses is recommended to maximize success.

Russian Sage

Russian Sage (Perovskia atriplicifolia), unlike many other herbs that dwindle during fall and winter months, remains green and blooms throughout winter. Perfect for rock gardens and border plantings alike. It attracts bees and butterflies while deer and rabbits tend to leave it alone.

Herbs thrive in full sunlight and well-draining garden soil. However, heavy clay soil can tolerate heavy watering; just avoid watering the base of the plant directly as this could lead to root rot and fungal diseases.

Russian Sage, a part-sun perennial that typically grows 2 to 4 feet tall and wide at maturity, produces an abundance of flowers in late summer and autumn depending on its cultivar. Flowers consist of whorls of two-lipped tubular violet-blue petals arranged into whorls on airy to compact panicles that range from open branching verticillasters to tight verticillasters arranged verticillasters arranged open and branching verticillasters. Russian Sage requires very low maintenance; it hardy up to USDA Zone 5 while being suitable for Xeriscape gardening purposes making an eye catching companion alongside purple coneflower, sunset hyssop and winecups.