Germinating times and proper lighting is one of the first steps in providing the right environment for your herbs to grow successfully. I have been growing herbs for years, some in a greenhouse, and others inside my own home. The key to properly grow herbs, is the right kind of soil, proper lighting, and knowing the time it takes for the root systems to develop. In the page growing herbs from seeds, it talks about these items that are important for germinating. This article will give you some basic information on some different herbs and the right light requirements. There are also tips on planting in the ground or trays, until the seeds develop into plugs. Herbs are one of the easiest plant family to grow from seeds. The key is to understand the basic requirements and environment. Here are a few suggestions for some popular herbs.

• Basil - there are many different varieties available today. Basil is considered an annual, and seeds should be put in the dark to develop. The air temperature should be around 68 to 70 degrees. Plants will sprout up in around five to ten days.
• Catnip - this is another herb that needs darkness to germinate. It is a perennial and grows well at 68 to 70 degrees. Seedlings will mature in seven to ten days.
• Chamomile - requires light and can grow in temperatures ranging anywhere from mid 50's to around 70 degrees. It takes around ten or twelve days for the seedlings to appear. Chamomile is a perennial.
• Chives - Chives will do best planted in darkness. The temperature should be around 68 to 70 degrees. The plants will emerge through the soil in ten to twelve days. Chives is a perennial.
• Cilantro - Seeds will do well in a light or dark environment. The temperature should be between 66 and 79 degrees. It usually takes about seven to ten days for germination to take place. Cilantro or Coriander is an annual.
• Dill - Dill will grow well in light, and temperatures around 65 to 72 degrees. It takes Dill about five to nine days to appear. Dill can be an annual or bi-annual.
• Lavender - will grow well in light, around around 65 to 75 degrees. It takes all Lavender varieties around 14 to 21 days to emerge. Lavender is a perennial.
• Lemon Balm - Lemon Balm will grow well in light or dark conditions. It does best around 68 to 70 degrees, and will appear in three to seven days. Lemon Balm is a perennial.
• Oregano - Oregano and Marjoram are similar in nature. The only difference is Marjoram will do well if plant in a light environment, and Oregano does better in darkness. Both will do well around 70 degrees, and takes about four to ten days for seedlings to emerge through the soil. Marjoram is an annual, and Oregano is a perennial.
• Parsley - Parsley does well if planted in the dark, around 70 degrees. It takes about ten to twelve days to appear through the soil. Parsley is considered an annual.
• Peppermint - Loves to be grown in light, around 68 to 75 degrees. It takes about twelve to fifteen days to appear and is a perennial.
• Sage - Sage does well if germinating in darkness. It will grow well in temperatures around 68 to 70 degrees. It takes anywhere from five to ten days to appear and is a perennial.
• Spearmint - Spearmint will sprout up if planted in light, with temperatures at 68 to 75 degrees. It takes around ten days to fourteen days to emerge and is a perennial.
• Thyme - All varieties of Thyme do well growing in darkness. Temperatures should be around 68 to 70 degrees. Thyme comes up fairly quickly, in around three to seven days. All varieties are perennial.

The suggestions above are a general rule of thumb. During the winter months I had heat in my greenhouse. I kept the temperature at 68 degrees and had excellent germination results. Most herbs like a warm environment to grow. In the landscape article section, there is more perennial and annual information on herbs besides germinating.

Also take a look and see a few basic herbs in the herb photo page in the gallery of plants section. There are so many ways to use herbs today. Browse through the spices and herb section and learn a little bit more about the culinary, medicinal, and pleasures of germinating and growing your own spices and herbs.