Fresh herbs are one of the easiest things to grow at home. A small container garden can produce more herbs than many people expect, especially during the warmer months.

Learning how to trim herbs properly helps plants continue producing throughout the season. Once herbs are harvested, a few simple storage methods can help keep them fresh longer or preserve them for later use.

With a little routine trimming and storage, a small herb garden can provide fresh herbs for many meals.

How to Trim Herbs So They Keep Growing

Most herbs benefit from regular trimming. Cutting herbs encourages the plant to produce new growth instead of becoming woody or overgrown.

A good general rule is to trim herbs just above a leaf pair or branching point. This encourages the plant to send out new stems.

Common examples:

Basil
Trim stems just above a pair of leaves to encourage bushier growth.

Mint
Cut stems regularly to prevent the plant from becoming tall and sparse.

Rosemary and thyme
Trim small sections at a time, avoiding cutting into older woody stems.

Frequent light harvesting usually produces healthier plants than occasional heavy trimming.

Some people prefer to use herb scissors, which make it easier to harvest several stems quickly.

See herb scissors on Amazon

Washing Fresh Herbs Before Storing

Fresh herbs should usually be washed before storing or drying to remove soil, dust, or small insects from the leaves.

One simple method is to place the herbs in a bowl of cool water and gently move them around to loosen any dirt. Lift the herbs out of the water rather than pouring them out, which helps keep the dirt at the bottom of the bowl.

After washing, herbs should be dried thoroughly before storing or drying them further. Excess moisture can cause herbs to spoil more quickly.

Many people simply lay the herbs on a clean kitchen towel or paper towel and gently pat them dry. If you harvest herbs frequently, a small salad spinner can also help remove excess water.

Once the herbs are dry, they can be trimmed for fresh use, stored in the refrigerator, or prepared for drying.

See herb spinner on Amazon

Keeping Fresh Herbs in the Refrigerator

Many fresh herbs store well in the refrigerator for several days when treated like fresh flowers.

A simple method is to:

• trim the ends of the stems
• place the herbs in a small jar with a little water
• loosely cover the herbs with a plastic bag
• store in the refrigerator

This method works well for herbs such as:

• parsley
• cilantro
• basil
• mint

A simple mason jar works well for this type of storage.

See mason jars on Amazon

Drying Herbs for Longer Storage

If your herb plants produce more than you can use fresh, drying herbs is one of the easiest ways to preserve them.

Small bundles of herbs can be tied together and hung in a dry, well-ventilated area until fully dried.

Once dried, the leaves can be removed from the stems and stored in sealed containers for use throughout the year.

Some people prefer to use a dehydrator, which dries herbs more quickly and evenly.

See dehydrators on Amazon

Drying Herbs in the Oven

If you don’t have a dehydrator, herbs can also be dried in the oven at a very low temperature.

Spread the trimmed herbs in a single layer on parchment-lined baking sheets so the leaves dry evenly.

Set the oven to its lowest temperature, which on most ovens is usually between 105°F and 180°F.

Keeping the oven door slightly ajar allows moisture to escape and helps the herbs dry more evenly.

Drying time will vary depending on the herb and the amount of moisture in the leaves. Herbs with softer leaves may take several hours, while denser herbs may take longer.

In general, oven drying can take anywhere from several hours to up to 24 hours, depending on the water content and density of the herbs.

Once the leaves crumble easily, they are fully dried and ready to store.

How Long Dried Herbs Last

Once herbs are completely dry, remove the leaves from the stems and store them in airtight containers.

Glass jars are commonly used because they keep moisture out and make it easy to see what is stored inside.

Dried herbs usually keep their best flavor for about one year, although they may remain usable longer if stored properly.

To help maintain quality:

• store herbs in airtight containers
• keep jars in a cool, dark place
• avoid storing them near heat or sunlight

Many people label jars with the herb name and harvest date, which makes it easier to keep track of freshness.

Growing Herbs at Home

If you’re starting a small herb garden, you may find it helpful to read Growing Fresh Herbs in Patio Containers, which explains simple ways to grow herbs successfully in small spaces.

If pets share your outdoor space, you may also find it helpful to read Herbs to Avoid Growing Around Pets, which discusses a few herbs that may be better avoided when dogs or cats are nearby.

Another simple option is growing herbs in water. Some herbs can grow surprisingly well indoors using only water and sunlight. A future guide on Growing Herbs in Water (No Soil Needed) will explain how to start a small herb garden using jars or containers.

Gigi Says

A small herb garden is one of the simplest ways to bring fresh flavor into everyday cooking.

Trimming plants regularly and storing herbs properly helps those small plants continue producing and keeps fresh herbs available for many meals.