How well do you know the names of the fresh herbs? Many herbs look quite similar, so it’s easy to be confused. This visual guide to herb identification makes identifying fresh herbs a snap.
Herb identification – Do you know your herbs?
Most people know the names of a few fresh herbs that are most commonly used in recipes. Basil and rosemary have quite a distinctive look so it’s easy to remember what they are.
However, many other herbs have a very similar leaf structure, especially if the plant is not too developed. This can make it hard to identify the plant you have in front of you.
I can’t tell you how many times I have come back from a shopping trip with a bunch of cilantro, thinking that I had picked up flat leaf parsley. These two herbs may look similar but have a very different taste when used in recipes.so it pays to know what you are buying.
Another herb that has a look alike cousin is oregano. Look at the marjoram leaves in the picture above. Can you see how easily it would be to get confused between the two?
Let’s make it easier for you with some photos of herbs with their names. I’ve also added links to pages with growing tips if you decide you would like to grow them at home.
Herb gardening information
I am in the process of writing several articles that give information on how to grow and use the various herbs in the photo above above. Be sure to check back often to see more posts.
Just click on any of the links below to find out more about that fresh herb.
 Basil |
 Bay Laurel |
 Chervil |
 Chives |
 Cilantro |
 Dill |
 Oregano |
 Rosemary |
 Sage |
 Tarragon |
 Thyme |
 Wheatgrass |
If you have always used dried herbs and spices then you are probably lost when it comes to trying to identifying fresh herbs.
The handy herb identification chart at the top of the page will come come in handy. I have included the herbs that most cooks may come in contact with.
Guide to identifying herbs
Armed with this handy chart, you’ll soon be an expert at guessing the names of herbs by sight. The next step will be learning about the smell of different herbs. I find that even more interesting.
We’ve all seen those little bubble packs of fresh herbs at the grocery store, but did you know that you can easily grow herbs yourself? I’ve written a complete guide that will give you all the information you need in one place. Be sure to check out my guide to growing herbs.
I hope you enjoy using this convenient herb identification chart. I would suggest that you pin it to Pinterest so that you can easily find it later.
How to store herbs to use later
Fresh herbs will go bad quickly, so it is useful to know how to store and preserve them for later use. You can freeze herbs whole or freeze them in olive oil or water in single serving uses.
Making vinegar or herb butter is also a way to use up extra herbs at the end of the growing season. Check out this post for information on lots of different ways to preserve herbs.
How long will dried herbs last?
Dried herbs lose a lot of their aromatic properties as soon as the heat hits them. This also means that they lose a lot of their flavor.
However, dried herbs will last for quite a long time. 1 – 3 years is not uncommon, although much of the flavor will be gone by that time.
Find out more about storing dried herbs here.
Pin the herb identification chart.
If you would like a reminder of this chart for identifying herbs, just pin this image to one of your gardening board on Pinterest so that you can easily find it later.
For more identification, be sure to check out my list of perennial herbs and watch the video at the top of this page for photos and names of more herbs.
Herb Identification Chart Printable
This handy herb identification chart will take the guess work out of identifying herbs. Print it out and keep it in your gardening journal for easy access.
Materials
- Glossy photo paper or heavy card stock
Tools
- Deskjet Printer
Instructions
- Add heavy card stock or glossy photo paper to your printer.
- Be sure to set the printer to portrait and "fit to page."
- Print out the herb identification chart and keep with your gardening journal.
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Can you tell me what this is? It appears to resemble rosemary leaves in one way, is very fragrant and smells much like rosemary, but with an overpowering and very lovely smell that smells like someone just cooked a dish with lemons and olives! I have used it in cooking for a couple of years (with no ill effects), but inherited it in the house we bought and I’ve been unable to identify it. Thanks! It gets very small, compact yellow flowers (you can see a few are just about to bloom), in the spring at the top of the stems.
I’m not sure I know what that is. Is it sticky to gardening gloves? I have a weed that grows in my yard that sticks to my gloves that looks like that plant. Other than that, I am afraid I don’t know what it is. Carol
I believe it to be chamomile as it looks just like mine. In Victorian times this was cultivated to make lawns
Thanks for the tip Sandra. I just Googled chamomile images and it does appear to be the plant that Sue gave the picture for. Carol
A you tell me what is this plantit looks an smells like sage and have purple flowers
There are some sage varieties that have purple flowers
Can you tell name of this plant
Hi Arun. It looks a bit like Viburnum. Carol
Hi are you able to tell me what this is? It’s growing little yellow flowers but very fragrant! Thank you
Hi Hanna. That looks like a weed to me. Carol
Can you identify this? I thought it was a weed but it smells like an herb. It’s in my herb garden and I’m not sure if it’s from last year or??
Hi Beka. That doesn’t look like any herb that I am familiar with. I’ve never seen a plant with that leaf coloring before. Carol
Thank you! Maybe it’s taking on the smell of the herbs next to it.
I pretty sure this one is thyme but my husband and I aren’t 100%
Hi Beca. Not thyme. Thyme has tiny leaves. The leaves and flowers look like oregano but it’s a pretty large plant. Mine are much smaller. Carol
Thank you Carol
I grow a few herbs and this appears to be oregano. Mine comes back every year and it gets this big.Sue
This looks like oregano to me, too. I have oregano that grows into bushes over five feet here in the tropics. Also, I have cut them back to the base and they come back every time.
My neighbor got this at a farmers market, but I’ve never seen it before.
That looks like dill to me. Some of the stems can be thick like that. Carol
I am thinking this is thyme but everything I have looked up shows purple in the stem. This doesn’t. It does have a strong herblike smell. I’m below novice level.
Sorry, I meant sage.
Hi Cheryl. It does look like sage to me. Some sage is plain green. The leaves are usually a bit fuzzy looking. Purple sage has purple stems but not all sage does. Carol
Do you know what this is?
Not sure but it’s possibly common sage. Carol
It’s a callaloo plant.
Thanks for the identification Mika. Carol
Hello,
Any idea what this is? It has a reddish stem with some red veins.
Thank you
Hi Joe. That one looks a bit like a hitchiker plant not a herb. (bird droppings can move seeds around.) The other thought was Malabar red spinach, but the leaves don’t look right. Carol
Can some tell me what this is?
It does not look like any herb that I am aware of. It looks something like hypercarium or portulaca but I am not sure. Carol
It looks like portulaca which is probably not considered an herb but it is in fact edible.
Does anyone know what herb this is?
Not sure … Came up in anHerb Garden, but doesn’t match what I planted …
This is a plant i found in my backyard that i have never seen before and have no idea what it is but it smells like it could be a herb please help me identify it.
Thank you
Kimberly
Can’t quite see the detail but it looks like some sort of fern to me.
Hello, we picked this up today at our Farmer’s Market but cannot remember what it was! Help!
It might be sage although that doesn’t normally vine like that plant does.
I found this growing beneath the thyme that draped over the planter. Any idea what it might be? I use this long planter every year to grow herbs on the porch, and wonder if it may have seeded from last year.
Thank you
It looks a bit like oregano to me.
Oregano. What a surprise, I didn’t know herbs could survive our winters.
I’m so glad I found your website, it is full of wonderful information and helpful hints. At 73 and retired, I’m learning how to make healthy tasty foods without salt for my family and will chop fresh thyme, basil, rosemary, and sage together and add to everything, soups, stews, sauces, rubs. They love it. With your site, I’m going to try to grow a few herbs indoors this winter.
Thank you so much Carol.
My pleasure Lynda. My oregano always comes back each year, but I”m in zone 7b which is reasonably mild, although we do get some snow in the winter. Carol
I bought seeds online and this one said it’s rosemary but does not look like a rosemary at all. Can you identify it?
Not sure Zak. It looks a bit like Sorrel. Carol
Can you tell me what plant this is?
They look a bit like basil seedlings.
i got it & i do not now to recognize what herb is it
Hi Ytzhak. It looks like some form of four leaf clover or fern, not a herb, but perhaps a reader might know. Carol
I have two plants that I believe are herbs, but cannot find out what they are. Can anyone there tell me if I send a photo of them.
Hi Judy. I sent you an email with instructions for photos.
Hello, might you know of a Internet site that includes pictures of the herbs and covers some of the lesser known genus such as Rumez and Plantago?
I don’t know of a site like this but searching on Google might give you the info you need.
We recentl purchases a home that has a few herbs in the neglected garden. I have a plant that resembles rosemary, but it smells like maple syrup? any ideas on what it is and its uses?
I have not heard of a herb which has the smell of maple syrup.