Australian Herb Growing & Use Reference

A practical lookup matrix for rosemary and 20 related culinary or aromatic herbs. Filter by light, water preference, garden habit, and common kitchen role, then sort any column.

Quick reference
  • Rosemary: woody perennial; full sun; free-draining soil; let the root zone dry appropriately between deeper waterings once established.
  • Drier-side group: rosemary, thyme, oregano, sage and tarragon are useful candidates for sunny, well-drained beds where established plants can cope with lower watering frequency.
  • Moisture-demanding group: basil, parsley, coriander, chives, mint and lemongrass generally prefer more regular moisture.
  • Space check: rosemary and bay can become long-lived shrubs; mint is best contained because it can spread aggressively.
Use this as a planning tool, not a universal rulebook. Cultivar, microclimate, soil structure, pot size and season can change performance. “Water preference” describes the general pattern for an established plant, not a fixed watering schedule.
RosemarySalvia rosmarinusWoody perennialFull sunDryer sideVery well drainedExcellentRoasts, potatoes, lamb, chicken, breads, beansLong-lived; can be trained as a hedge or kept in a pot.
ThymeThymus spp.Low perennialFull sunDryer sideVery well drainedExcellentStocks, stuffing, sauces, roasted foodsCompact and useful as ground cover; copes with dry conditions once established.
OreganoOriganum spp.PerennialFull sun to part shadeDryer sideVery well drainedExcellentTomato dishes, chicken, eggplant, saucesKeep on the drier side; avoid overfeeding.
SageSalvia officinalisWoody perennialFull sunDryer sideVery well drainedGoodCasseroles, risottos, roasts, stuffingPermanent position suits it; large containers also work well.
TarragonArtemisia dracunculusPerennial shrubFull sun to part shadeLow once establishedWell drainedGoodFrench sauces, chicken, fish, dressingsDrought tolerant once established; regular harvesting helps keep growth leafy.
BasilOcimum basilicumAnnual in most areasFull sun to part shadeRegularWell drainedExcellentTomato, pesto, salads, Mediterranean dishesWarm-season plant; frost-sensitive and benefits from regular harvesting.
ParsleyPetroselinum crispumBiennial herbFull sun to part shadeRegularWell drainedExcellentGarnish, sauces, salads, soups, roastsKeep moist and harvest leaves as required; suitable for containers.
CorianderCoriandrum sativumAnnualFull sun to part shadeRegularWell drainedExcellentAsian and Middle Eastern dishes, fish, soups, saladsBolts quickly under heat or stress; cooler timing helps prolong leaf harvest.
ChivesAllium schoenoprasumPerennial clumpFull sun to part shadeRegularWell drainedExcellentEggs, fish, soups, salads, sandwichesCompact, container-friendly and valued for edible flowers as well as foliage.
MintMentha spp.Spreading perennialFull sun to part shadeMoistWell drained but moistExcellentDrinks, salads, sauces, dessertsContain it in a pot or dedicated area; it can spread rapidly.
Lemon balmMelissa officinalisSpreading perennialPart shade to sunMoistWell drainedVery goodHerbal drinks, teas, dessertsAromatic foliage; give it room or contain it.
LemongrassCymbopogon citratusClumping perennialFull sun to part shadeMoistWell drained but moistVery goodCurries, broths, soups, teasWarm-climate performer; clumps can become large and need periodic division or pruning.
Bay treeLaurus nobilisWoody shrub/treeFull sunModerateWell drainedGoodStews, soups, Italian dishesSlow growing and long lived; allow permanent space or prune to size.
LavenderLavandula spp.Woody perennialFull sunDryer sideVery well drainedExcellentTeas, baking, flavouring, aromatic usesBest where roots are not left wet; flowers can add ornamental and pollinator value.
MarjoramOriganum majoranaPerennial herbFull sunDryer sideWell drainedVery goodMeat, vegetables, soups, Mediterranean cookingPairs well with other Mediterranean herbs with similar drainage needs.
SavorySatureja spp.Annual or perennialFull sunDryer sideWell drainedVery goodBeans, meats, soups, saucesWorks well in a sunny herb bed with other relatively dry-loving herbs.
DillAnethum graveolensAnnualFull sunRegularWell drainedGoodPickles, fish, potatoes, saucesHarvest leaves before seed production for foliage-focused use.
FennelFoeniculum vulgarePerennialFull sunModerateWell drainedFairSeeds, fish, sausages, saladsLarge architectural plant; give it room rather than treating it like a tiny pot herb.
Curry leafMurraya koenigiiWoody shrub/treeFull sun to part shadeRegular while establishingWell drainedGoodSouth Asian curries, tempering, chutneysWarm-climate woody plant; protect from severe frost and make room for its mature size.
Vietnamese mintPersicaria odorataPerennialPart shade to sunMoistMoist, free drainingVery goodFresh Asian salads, rolls, garnishesFlavour is strongest fresh; keep moisture more consistent than for Mediterranean herbs.
ChervilAnthriscus cerefoliumAnnualPart shade to sunRegularWell drainedGoodFrench sauces, soups, saladsA cool-season style herb; useful where intense summer heat makes delicate foliage difficult.
Garlic chivesAllium tuberosumPerennial clumpFull sun to part shadeRegularWell drainedExcellentStir-fries, dumplings, noodles, garnishesClumping habit makes it easy to harvest repeatedly from a kitchen garden.
SteviaStevia rebaudianaPerennial in warm climatesFull sun to part shadeRegularWell drainedVery goodSweet leaves for drinks and flavouringSoft-stemmed herb; frost can cause dieback, so warmer sites or seasonal protection help.

How to use the matrix

  • Filter by water preference first when designing a bed, so rosemary is grouped with herbs that tolerate drier conditions rather than moisture-loving herbs.
  • Use container fit as a practical clue for kitchens, balconies and rentals—not as a statement that every cultivar has the same mature size.
  • Use the garden note column for the exception that matters most when planning: spreading mint, bolting coriander, frost-sensitive basil, or the larger habit of bay, fennel and curry leaf.
  • Search terms work across common and botanical names plus the visible notes.

Reference notes

The matrix is a practical synthesis of Australian gardening guidance. Categories are deliberately broad so the page stays useful across cultivars and microclimates.

For the underlying evidence and rosemary-specific discussion, see the data compiled from/expanded on this rosemary benefits guide.