Herb Identification – How to Identify Herbs – Free Herb Gardening Printable

This visual guide to herb identification makes identifying herbs a snap.

How well do you know the names of the fresh herbs? Many herbs look quite similar, so it’s easy to be confused. Do you often ask yourself – “What herb is this?”

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 they have a very different taste when used in recipes, so it pays to know what you are buying.

Read on for a refresher course in identifying herbs. Armed with this list of herbs with pictures, you’ll be a herb master in no time!

Note:

Please note that this post identifies common herbs and gives information about them.

I do not offer a service to identify random plants that you think may be a herb.Comments have been turned off for this post for this reason.

Herb identification – What is this herb?

Most people know the names of a few fresh herbs that are most commonly used in recipes. Basil, thyme and rosemary have quite a distinctive look so it’s easy to remember what they are.

Others look quite similar so to have a list of herbs with pictures will be a big help in identifying them.

Pin this herb identification chart for later

I hope you enjoy using this convenient herb identification chart. Why not pin it to Pinterest so that you can easily find it later:

The handy herb identification chart will come in handy when you are shopping and in deciding what herbs to grow. I have included the herbs that most cooks may come in contact with. You can print it out on your browser, or use the project card below which has a print function.

Many herbs have a very similar leaf structure, especially if the plant is not too developed.

Another herb that has a look-alike cousin is oregano. Look at the leaves of the two herbs in the image below. Can you see how easily it would be to get confused between the two?

Other look-alikes are lavender and rosemary. When shopping, I often pick up lavender thinking it is a pot of rosemary.

Let’s make it easier for you by compiling a list of herbs plants with pictures and 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 additional 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.

List of herbs with pictures

Just click on any of the links under the images below to find out more about that fresh herb. Some do not have links yet, just the name of the herb. Stay tuned for new pages soon for growing tips for those herbs!

Herb Identification A – D

To make it easier for you, I have divided the list into several groups by alphabetical order, so that you can find the herb quickly.

Heading off our list of fresh herbs are some that are often used in the kitchen. Basil is often used in Italian cooking and bay leaf is a staple of soups and stews.

How well do you know this group of herbs? Do you cook with them?

Basil	Bay Laurel
Caraway	Chervil
Chives	Cilantro

Herb Identification D – M

From dill to mint, these fresh herbs will add a boost of flavor to recipes from fish to desserts. Fennel and lemon grass are two herbs that I have recently discovered.

Why not try a new herb today?

Dill	Fennel
Garlic	Ginger
Lavender	Lemon Grass
Marjoram	Mint

Herb Identification O – S

Italian cooking is featured in this group in a big way, and sage is a favorite herb for Thanksgiving recipes.

Oregano and parsley head up this list, but what about purple basil and stevia. Have you tried them yet?

Oregano	Parsley
Purple basil	Rosemary
Sage	Stevia Leaf

Herb Identification T-Z

Finishing up my list of herbs to grow are some of my favorites. I love the anise like flavor of tarragon, and thyme is a herb that I use many times a week.

Turmeric and wheatgrass are two herbs that are less common but both have medical benefits.

Tarragon	Thyme
Turmeric	Wheatgrass

If you have always used dried herbs and spices then you are probably lost when it comes to trying to identifying fresh herbs.

Guide to identifying herbs

Armed with this handy chart, you’ll soon be an expert at guessing herb identification by leaf. 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.

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 and fresh herbs wilt quickly once cut. 1 – 3 years is not uncommon for dried herbs, 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 list of herbs with pictures, 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.

One botanical garden which has an impressive herb garden is the Memphis Botanic Garden. It features many varieties of fragrant, medicinal, and cooking herbs, as well as herbs for tea and dyes.  If you enjoy learning about herbs, this area of the garden is well worth a visit.

The products shown below are affiliate links. I earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you if you purchase through an affiliate link.

Admin note: this post for identifying herbs first appeared on the blog in October of 2017. I have updated the post to add some additional herb photos, more herbs to identify, and a video for you to enjoy.

Yield: 1 printable chart

Herb Identifier Chart Printable

Print

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.

Active Time 5 minutes

Total Time 5 minutes

Difficulty easy

Estimated Cost $1

Materials

• Glossy photo paper or heavy card stock

Tools

• Deskjet Printer

Instructions

1. Add heavy card stock or glossy photo paper to your printer.
2. Be sure to set the printer to portrait and "fit to page."
3. Print out the herb identification chart and keep with your gardening journal.

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