Germination Temperature for Herbs

To grow herbs from seeds, you must provide them with the right temperature for germination. Some herbs are easier to grow from seeds than others. Basil germinates readily in warm conditions while rosemary is notoriously difficult regardless of the temperature and is normally multiplied from cuttings. To get an economical and creative start to your herb garden, learn the germination temperatures that are best for different herbs and try growing those that are most suitable for your conditions.

Lavender, rosemary and bay laurel are difficult to germinate from seed and are more commonly propagated from cuttings. Don't let this information deter you if you are determined, especially if you would like to try an unusual variety. Try germinating seeds at temperatures between 65 and 75 degrees F in dark, moist conditions. Alternately, try placing a heating mat beneath the seed tray to help the seeds reach and maintain the required temperature.

Mediterranean herbs such as thyme, marjoram, dill and oregano thrive with excellent drainage, moderate temperatures and bright sun and are easy to start from seed. To encourage them to germinate, keep the seeds at temperatures of 65 to 75 degrees F out of direct sunlight. Like most herb seedlings, they prefer humid conditions, whether they are planted indoors or out. If you are growing them indoors, try placing a dish of water nearby to increase the humidity of the germination environment.

Many herb seeds reward your thrifty enterprise with plants that flourish and spread in the garden for years. Chive seeds germinate in dark, moist conditions with a temperature between 60 and 70 degrees F. They spread in a patch that will produce beautiful, edible pink or purple globe-shaped flowers the following spring. Both English and German varieties of chamomile return from year to year -- English chamomile is a low-growing perennial ground cover, while German chamomile self-seeds annually -- and both are easy to grow from seed when planted outdoors in early spring, usually sprouting when the temperatures reach at least 60 degrees F.

Both the fragrant culinary herb basil and peppery, colorful nasturtium flowers sprout readily indoors or out and both prefer warm conditions. Nasturtiums germinate when the temperature is between 65 and 70 degrees F. They do not like to be transplanted, but are easy to grow directly in the garden when temperatures warm. Basil plants do not mind being transplanted and in fact they may not reach maturity if you plant them directly in the garden in a cool climate, as their seeds won't germinate until temperatures reach between 65 and 70 degrees overnight. Another advantage of starting basil plants from seed is that you can grow a wider variety than those that are available in nurseries. Experiment with germinating easy, exotic basils such as lemon, Thai, cinnamon and lime for a colorful and fragrant addition to a kitchen garden -- just be sure to keep them indoors until temperatures warm as they will wilt and die if temperatures cool suddenly.