← Plant Guides

How to Grow Asian Herbs (Mixed Collection)

Asian Herbs (Mixed Collection)

Various species

herb

Asian herbs encompass a diverse group of culinary and medicinal plants native to East, Southeast, and South Asia, including basil varieties, cilantro, mint, shiso, and many others. These herbs are essential to Asian cuisines and traditional medicine practices across the continent. Each variety has unique flavor profiles, growing requirements, and cultural significance.

Looking for a specific variety?

Thai Basil Lemongrass Cilantro Shiso Vietnamese Mint Chinese Chives

When should you plant Asian Herbs (Mixed Collection) in your zone?

Get a personalized planting timeline — when to start seeds, transplant, and harvest — based on your USDA zone and local frost dates. Free to start.

Get my Asian Herbs (Mixed Collection) timeline →

Example Asian Herbs (Mixed Collection) timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)

  1. Plant Asian Herbs (Mixed Collection)

    Around Apr 17

    Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.

  2. Tend & protect

    Late spring–summer

    Watering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.

  3. Harvest Asian Herbs (Mixed Collection)

    Around May 17

    ≈ 30 days after planting

Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Asian Herbs (Mixed Collection) dates for your own zip code.

Growing Conditions

☀️
Sun: Full sun to partial shade, 6-8 hours of sunlight daily (partial shade beneficial in hot climates)
💧
Water: Consistent moisture; water when top inch of soil is dry. Most Asian herbs prefer moderate moisture, not waterlogged. Water at soil level to prevent fungal issues.
📏
Spacing: 6-18 inches depending on variety inches
📅
Days to maturity: 30-90 days depending on species and harvest method
🌱
Planting depth: Surface to 1/4 inch for seeds; transplants at same depth as nursery pot

Soil

Type: Well-draining loamy soil with organic matter
pH: 6.0-7.0
Amendments:
Compost aged manure peat moss perlite for drainage

Growing Zones

Find your zone →

Most thrive in zones 5-10; tender annuals in cooler zones; perennials in zones 8-11

3a 3b 4a 4b 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 8b 9a 9b 10a 10b 11a 11b

Sign up free to see if Asian Herbs (Mixed Collection) grows in your zone — and get a personalized planting timeline.

Get my Asian Herbs (Mixed Collection) timeline →

Growth Stages

1

Germination & Seedling

1-3 weeks

Seeds sprout into small seedlings with cotyledon leaves. Plant develops first true leaves.

Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Provide bright light. Maintain warmth (65-75°F). Thin seedlings to reduce crowding.

2

Vegetative Growth

2-4 weeks

Plant develops multiple sets of true leaves and establishes root system. Bushy growth begins.

Pinch growing tips to encourage bushiness. Begin light fertilizing. Water regularly. Ensure adequate light to prevent leggy growth.

3

Establishment & Hardening

2-3 weeks

Plant becomes more robust with stronger stems and deeper root system.

Gradually acclimate to outdoor conditions if starting indoors. Reduce watering frequency slightly. Apply balanced fertilizer every 2-3 weeks.

4

Active Growth & Harvest

4-12 weeks or until end of season

Plant reaches mature size and continuously produces harvestable foliage. Some varieties may flower.

Pinch off flower buds to extend leaf production. Harvest regularly for sustained growth. Monitor for pests. Provide consistent water and nutrients.

5

Flowering & Decline

Varies; 2-8 weeks

Plant flowers and begins to decline in leaf quality as energy shifts to seed production.

Harvest flowers if edible. Deadhead to extend vegetative production. In cool climates, prepare for season end. Perennials may go dormant.

Companion Planting

Plan your garden →

Plant with:

Tomato Eggplant Pepper Garlic Onion Cabbage Bok choy Ginger Lemongrass Marigold

Avoid planting near:

Fennel Dill (with basil varieties)

Common Pests

  • Spray with water, neem oil, or insecticidal soap. Introduce natural predators like ladybugs.

  • Increase humidity, spray with water, use neem oil or miticide spray.

  • Yellow sticky traps, neem oil, insecticidal soap, encourage air circulation.

  • Hand-pick early morning, use Japanese beetle traps, apply neem oil.

  • Spray with neem oil, insecticidal soap, or horticultural oil.

  • Improve air circulation, spray with sulfur or baking soda solution, remove affected leaves.

Uses

🍳

Asian Cuisine Foundation

Culinary

Thai basil, cilantro, mint, and shiso are essential to Vietnamese, Thai, Chinese, and Japanese cuisines. They provide distinctive aromatic and flavor profiles in curries, stir-fries, soups, spring rolls, and salads. [source]

💊

Traditional Medicine

Medicinal

Many Asian herbs like lemongrass, Thai basil, and cilantro have been used for centuries in Ayurvedic, Traditional Chinese Medicine, and Southeast Asian herbalism to aid digestion, reduce inflammation, and support overall wellness. [source]

🍳

Beverage & Tea Base

Culinary

Lemongrass, mint varieties, and Thai basil make aromatic teas and herbal infusions. Cilantro and mint are also used in beverages like mojitos and herbal water. [source]

🏠

Fresh Flavor Preservation

Household

Asian herbs can be dried, frozen in oil or water, or made into pastes and condiments for year-round use. Cilantro can be frozen in ice cube trays with water or oil. [source]

🦋

Pollinator & Beneficial Insect Support

Wildlife

When allowed to flower, Asian herbs attract bees, butterflies, and beneficial insects that support garden biodiversity and aid in pollination of nearby crops. [source]

This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.

Harvest Tips

Harvest leaves in the morning after dew dries. Pinch off top 1/4-1/3 of stems regularly to encourage bushiness. For Asian basil varieties, harvest before flowering for best flavor. For perennial herbs, harvest lightly the first year to establish the plant. Most herbs are best used fresh but can be dried or frozen.

Fun Facts

  • 🌱 Thai basil (Ocimum basilicum var. thyrsiflora) has a distinctly different flavor from sweet basil—with anise and licorice notes—and is essential to Thai green curries. It cannot be substituted directly with regular basil in authentic recipes.
  • 🌱 Cilantro (Coriander sativum) displays a unique genetic trait where some people perceive it as fresh and citrusy while others taste a soapy or metallic flavor, due to variations in olfactory receptor genes (OR6A2).
  • 🌱 Shiso (Perilla frutescens) is so valued in Japanese cuisine that it has its own festival in Japan. The leaf is used whole in sushi and sashimi, while the seed pods (hojiso) are pickled as a delicacy.

Gardening Terms

New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:

Deadhead Full Sun Partial Shade Perennial True Leaves
Shop Asian Herbs (Mixed Collection) plants and related plants at Plant Addicts →

Join 30,000 gardeners planning their gardens with LizPlants.

Get your personalized Asian Herbs (Mixed Collection) planting timeline

Tell us your zip code and we'll calculate exactly when to start Asian Herbs (Mixed Collection) seeds, transplant seedlings, and harvest — based on your USDA zone and local frost dates. Includes calendar reminders and printable task lists. Free to start.

Get my Asian Herbs (Mixed Collection) timeline →