15 Magical Herbs to Grow in Your Witch’s Garden

A witch’s garden is more than a collection of pretty plants. It’s your living, breathing spell. Every herb you grow holds its own spirit and energy, rooted in centuries of folklore, healing traditions, and magical practices. In this guide you’ll learn how to grow herbs for your witch’s garden so you can use them in spell jars, teas, ritual baths, or incense blends year round.

Herbs like lavender, rosemary, mint, basil, and lemon balm are all beginner-friendly choices for a witch’s garden . Having them at your disposal means you can brew magickal tea with mint, craft protection sachets with rosemary, use basil to cultivate abundance, or add them to your altar during different holiday on the Wheel of the Year.

Your witch’s garden can be a sprawling outdoor space or a few pots on a sunny windowsill. As with all magical things, the magic lies in your intention.

In this guide, you’ll discover the best magical herbs to grow, how to care for them based on their needs, and find tips for setting intentions throughout the planting and gathering process.

How to Start Your Witch’s Garden

You don’t need acres of land or years of gardening experience to grow a magical garden. You can create a lovely garden whether you live in a house or apartment. Even if this is your first time growing herbs.

And remember, your garden isn’t just about keeping plants alive. It’s about deepening your relationship with the earth and weaving magic into your everyday life. Here are some things to consider when beginning yours.

Decide if Your Garden Will Be Indoors or Outdoors

Outdoor gardens are ideal if you have space and live in a conducive climate, but a sunny windowsill, balcony, or even a small shelf can be just as magical. If you are gardening indoors, consider vertical gardening techniques like bookcases with stacked pots or hanging planters to maximize small areas.

If you grow your herbs outdoors, keep in mind that some are best suited to pots with good drainage (for instance, mint) while others, like rosemary, can be grown next to other herbs in a raised garden bed. If you grow companion herbs together, you’ll find you’ll be able to grow more within a small space.

Group Plants that Share Sunlight, Water, and Soil Needs Together

Most magical herbs love full sun, which means at least six hours per day of sunlight. (I didn’t realize this the first few times I started my garden.) Group plants together that have similar sun and water needs, and water early in the morning or evening to prevent evaporating.

Currently in my garden I have sage, rosemary, basil, and mint. (Along with tomatoes, zucchini, and peppers.) I also have some thyme indoors on a windowsill in my kitchen where I can easily access it when roasting veggies.

Full Sun and Well-Drained Soil: Plant these together in raised beds or containers. They prefer full sun, low-to-moderate watering, and prefer sandy or rocky soil. You can also plant a bay leaf tree in the same area as it also prefers these conditions. Fennel can be grown in the same area, but will prevent the growth of other plants, so it should be in its own container.

• Lavender
• Rosemary
• Thyme
• Yarrow
• Clary Sage
• Sage

Grow these nearby as they need similar soil and sun but more frequent watering.

• Calendula
• Chamomile
• Catnip

Full Sun and Moist Soil: Group these herbs in richer, moisture-retentive garden soil or deeper containers. Make sure to plant mint and lemon balm in their own separate pots as they will spread all over your garden if you don’t. German chamomile prefers moist soil, while Roman prefers drier.

• Basil
• Mint
• Lemon Balm

Partial Sun or Tolerates Some Shade: Mugwort prefers afternoon shade, while catnip can tolerate partial sun. Mint and basil can also tolerate some shade if you don’t have a space that offers full sun.

Set Intentions While Planting or Watering

Before you plant a seed or water your herbs, take a moment to whisper an intention into the soil. Visualize what you’re nurturing—whether it’s protection, love, abundance, or healing. Speak kindly to your plants as you tend them. Offer words of thanks and encouragement. You could also consider working with the lunar cycles (planting seeds under the waxing moon, for instance).

Harvest on the Full Moon or Planetary Days

Harvest herbs during the Full Moon when their energy is believed to be at its peak. You could also align harvests with planetary correspondences—for example, pick basil on a Thursday (ruled by Jupiter) for abundance spells.

Beginner Herbs For Your Witch’s Garden

1. Lavender

Lavender has long been revered as a powerful herb for purification, protection, and peace. In ancient Rome, it was burned as incense during religious ceremonies and used to scent baths and homes, emphasizing its role in spiritual cleansing and sanctifying sacred space.

During the medieval period, lavender was sewn into clothing or placed around the home to ward off evil spirits and protect against the plague. (That didn’t actually work. It’s magical, but not that magical.) Later on, people placed lavender underneath their pillows to invite prophetic dreams and shield themselves from nightmares.

Magical Uses of Lavender

Today, lavender remains a staple in spells for emotional healing, restful sleep, love, and energetic protection. Add it to ritual baths for cleansing, burn it during meditation to ease anxiety, or keep a sachet under your pillow to banish nightmares. Its gentle, soothing nature makes it a powerful ally when working with tension, grief, or emotional imbalance.

How to Grow Lavender

Lavender thrives in full sun and well-draining soil, making it ideal for raised beds, herb spirals, or containers. Once established, it’s drought-tolerant and prefers deep watering when the top inch of soil dries out—just be sure not to overwater.

2. Basil

Basil is an herb associated with abundance, prosperity, and love. It’s a staple in kitchen witchcraft, often used in money-drawing spells and herbal sachets. In Hoodoo it’s used in protective floor washes. In Italian folk magic (Stregheria), basil is used in love spells and to attract money, often placed near doors or sprinkled in wallets and purses.

Magical Uses of Basil

Sprinkle basil in your wallet to attract wealth, brew a tea to heighten mental focus and clear negative energy, or add it to charm bags for love and attraction. It can also be used in spells to calm anger and bring ease to relationship tensions.

How to Grow Basil

Basil thrives in warm weather, full sun, and rich, moist soil. Pinch off flower heads to encourage growth and water when the top layer of soil feels dry. It grows well in pots or in raised beds.

3. Rosemary

In ancient Greece and Rome, students wore garlands of rosemary to improve memory. Later, in European folk magic, it was burned as incense for cleansing, protection, and remembrance. According to Scott Cunningham in his book Cunningham’s Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs, it can be used for protection, love, mental power, exorcism, purification, healing, sleep, and youth.

Magical Uses of Rosemary

Use rosemary in spells for love, protection, mental clarity, or ancestor veneration. Add it to cleansing bundles, ritual baths, or burn it on a charcoal disc to banish negativity. Place it under your pillow to help ward off nightmares. It also corresponds with Samhain and Yule.

How to Grow Rosemary

Rosemary thrives in full sun, well-drained soil, and dry conditions. Though it takes a fair amount of water to get established, once it’s there, it needs minimal water and should never sit in wet soil. Grow it in containers, raised beds, or alongside sage and thyme in a Mediterranean-inspired garden.

4. Mugwort

Mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris) has been used in medicine and magic for centuries. In the Anglo-Saxon herbal charm “Nine Herbs Charm” (Lacnunga, 10th c.), mugwort is named as the “oldest of herbs,” used to drive out poison and evil. It was also traditionally burned or worn for psychic protection, hung above doorways for dream magic, and used by seers. In Wicca and modern witchcraft, it’s closely tied to Litha and Samhain.

Magical Uses of Mugwort

Burn mugwort as incense before divination, place it under your pillow for lucid dreaming, or include it in sachets for psychic shielding and intuitive expansion.

How to Grow Mugwort

Mugwort thrives in full sun to partial shade and tolerates a wide range of soils. It’s drought-tolerant and low-maintenance. Like mint, it’s highly recommended that you grow it in a pot instead of your raised bed as it will take over.

5. Thyme

Thyme has long been associated with courage, purification, and protection. In ancient Greece, it was burned in temples and used in baths to purify warriors before battle. The Romans considered it a Venus herb as well as a remedy for melancholy and used it to “invigorate the spirit.” In medieval Europe, women would embroider thyme onto knights’ garments to grant them courage. In folk magic, it was burned to prevent nightmares and raise psychic vibrations.

Magical Uses of Thyme

Use thyme in boundary-setting rituals, healing and purification spells, or to drive out negative energy and invite clarity. If you are in need of courage, you can wear or smell it to bolster your energy.

How to Grow Thyme

This herb needs full sun and well-drained, slightly rocky soil. Water sparingly and avoid humid conditions.

6. Sage

Common sage (Salvia officinalis) has a long history of use in both medicine and magic, spanning cultures and centuries. In ancient Rome, sage was considered a sacred plant. According to Pliny the Elder, it was harvested with ceremony because of its powerful healing and spiritual properties.

It was used to treat wounds, sore throats, and memory loss, and became a staple in monastic medicine throughout medieval Europe. Cunningham associates it with immortality, longevity, wisdom, protection, and wish fulfillment.

Magical Uses of Sage

Magically, sage has been revered for its ability to cleanse, protect, and elevate. In many traditions, it is burned to banish evil spirits, purify homes, and bless sacred spaces. It’s frequently used in modern witchcraft for cleansing rituals, removing stagnant or harmful energy, and preparing the body or space for magical work.

Burn dried sage bundles to purify ritual space, tuck leaves into charm bags for protection, or include it in tea or tinctures (when safe and appropriate) to invite clarity and calm. If you have a wish in mind, Cunningham wrote that you can write your wish on a sage leaf and place it beneath your pillow and if you dream of your desire within the next three nights, it will come true. If not, bury it in the ground.

Note: White sage (another type of sage) is sacred to indigenous peoples and is not recommended for magical use or smudging unless you are a part of that culture.

How to Grow Sage

Sage prefers full sun, well-drained, sandy or rocky soil, and light watering—too much moisture will rot its roots. Once established, it thrives in dry conditions. Grow it in raised beds or containers, and pair it with rosemary, lavender, or thyme for a resilient and magical garden trio. Reportedly, according to Cunningham, it is bad luck to plant sage in your own garden, so if ask a friend for the favor.

7. Clary Sage

There are a lot of different types of sage. Another that you might consider for your witch’s garden is Clary sage. This herb has been used since the Middle Ages as a dream-enhancing herb. In fact, its Latin name, Salvia sclarea, references its historic use in “clearing the eyes.”

Magical Uses of Clary Sage

In magical practice, clary sage is associated with clarity of vision, spiritual insight, and dream magic. Keep a sachet under your pillow for vivid dreams. It can be used in moon rituals for third eye opening, intuitive development, emotional release work, or feminine empowerment.

How to Grow Clary Sage

Clary sage grows best in full sun and well-drained soil. It’s a biennial. It forms leaves the first year and flowers the second. Also, its tall purple and pink blooms attract pollinators.

8. Chamomile

Chamomile has been used since antiquity in medicine and magic. The Egyptians associated it with the sun god Ra and used it for embalming and healing. In early European magic, it was considered a lucky herb, used in prosperity charms and calming teas. Though, if you’re pregnant, make sure not to ingest it.

Magical Uses of Chamomile

Sprinkle dried chamomile in your home to maintain peace, or add it to spells for good fortune, prosperity, and gentle emotional healing. The Roman version can be used to attract love when added to a bath. It’s often used in Yule and Imbolc rituals and is a good one to add to your altar. It’s also popular in recipes for Imbolc.

How to Grow Chamomile

Chamomile prefers full sun, light soil, and regular watering. German chamomile grows taller and blooms more freely, while Roman chamomile is shorter and better for borders.

9. Calendula

Calendula, also known as pot marigold, was used in medieval Catholic and folk rituals to honor the Virgin Mary, but it also has deep roots in other traditions. It’s often associated with Lugh, the Celtic god of light and craftsmanship. Also, fun fact, it’s not related to calamine, even though my brain really wants to connect those two.

Magical Uses of Calendula

As a magical herb, calendula can be used in dreamwork, divination, and healing spells. Its golden petals are said to reveal hidden truths and encourage prophetic dreams when placed under a pillow. Consider cutting some from your garden and placing it on your altar during Beltane, Litha, or Lughnasadh to represent the energy of the sun. (It can also be used to add color to summer salads!)

How to Grow Calendula

It grows best in full sun, with well-drained soil and moderate watering. Remove blossoms to extend its blooming season.

10. Mint

Mint is rich with magical and mythological significance. In Greek mythology, Persephone turned the nymph Minthe into Mint after she found out she was Hades’ mistress. (So, definitely do not place it an altar for her, but you can use in on altars for him.) In Roman tradition, Pliny the Elder noted mint’s uplifting scent and its use to refresh homes and temples. In Hoodoo, mint is often used in money spells and floor washes.

Magical Uses of Mint

Use mint in spells for wealth, protection, and mental clarity. Cunningham wrote that it can be used in travel spells or to provoke desire. Place it in a green sachet to attract prosperity or brew a tea to cut through mental fog. It’s also a part of many Ostara recipes.

How to Grow Mint

Mint prefers partial to full sun and moist, fertile soil. It spreads rapidly, so grow it in a container to prevent garden takeovers. Unless you want everything to taste like mint. Or you’ve got like ten altars dedicated to Hades.

11. Lemon Balm

Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) gets its name from the Greek word for honeybee, and was planted around temples of Artemis to attract bees, which were sacred to her. Lemon balm was also used in monastic gardens and Renaissance herbal medicine for its calming properties.

Magical Uses of Lemon Balm

Use it in spells for emotional balance, love, and joy. Brew it into tea for mental clarity, or add it to a charm bag for peace and gentle communication. Add it to altars for Artemis.

How to Grow Lemon Balm

Grow in full sun to part shade, with moist, rich soil. Like mint, it spreads quickly and does well in containers.

12. Catnip

Catnip isn’t just a feline favorite. It’s been used in European folk magic for love, attraction and dream enhancement.

Magical Uses of Catnip

You can use it in love spells, especially those involving charm or seduction, while others use it for divination and protection. It’s said growing some near your front door can bring you good luck. Cunningham wrote that large catnip leaves were also pressed and used as bookmarks in magical texts.

How to Grow Catnip

Catnip thrives in full sun and well-drained soil. It’s drought-tolerant and should be pruned regularly to keep it bushy. Protect it from cats if you don’t want them rolling in it.

13. Bay Leaf (Laurel)

In Greek mythology, Daphne’s father was turned the nymph into a laurel tree to escape Apollo. Afterwards, Apollo adopted the bay leaf, and it became a symbol of prophecy, protection, and triumph. Laurel leaves were used by the Oracle of Delphi, worn as crowns by victors and in modern day during graduation ceremonies in Rome, and burned in ritual fires to cleanse and empower.

Magical Uses of Bay Leaf

Write your wishes or banishing intentions on bay leaves and burn them to release the spell. Bay is excellent for protection, warding off evil, clairvoyance, and altar offerings during Sabbats like Lammas and Yule. Use them as an offering when working with Apollo.

How to Grow Bay Leaf

Bay prefers full sun and well-drained soil. It grows slowly and can be maintained in a container.

14. Yarrow

Yarrow (Achillea millefolium) is named after the Greek hero Achilles, who reportedly used it to treat wounds on the battlefield. This is where it gets its reputation for healing and courage. In European magical traditions, it was hung in doorways to ward off illness and used in love divination. It also was used in Celtic and Norse charms for protection and spiritual insight.

Magical Uses of Yarrow

Use yarrow in spells for psychic protection, love, and courage. Add it to healing salves, bind it into charm bags, or burn it to protect ritual space especially during Samhain or Mabon. It is also said to ensure your love lasts at least seven years when used in marriage ceremonies or when hung over the bed.

How to Grow Yarrow

Yarrow thrives in full sun and dry, well-drained soil. It’s hardy, drought-tolerant, and great for pollinators. It grows well with lavender and sage.

15. Fennel

Fennel was revered in the ancient Mediterranean for its connection to clarity, courage, and purification. The Greeks used it in purification rituals, and Roman soldiers reportedly consumed it to gain strength and vision in battle. In some traditions, fennel was hung above stables and doorways to protect against evil spirits and was even stuffed in keyholes on Midsummer’s Eve to keep away tricksters.

Magical Uses of Fennel

Use fennel in spells for purification, energetic protection, and confidence. Add the seeds to charm bags for courage or brew the tea when preparing for divination or public speaking. Fennel also makes a wonderful addition to prosperity magic when blended with basil or cinnamon. It is also connected to Dionysus so it can be used in offerings for him.

How to Grow Fennel

Fennel thrives in full sun and rich, well-drained soil. It needs space to grow, so plant it in a garden bed or large container with support.

FAQ

What herbs do witches use?

Witches use a wide variety of herbs for magical, medicinal, and spiritual purposes. Some of the most commonly used include lavender (for peace and protection), rosemary (for memory and cleansing), basil (for abundance and love), and mugwort (for dreamwork and divination). Other favorites include sage, thyme, chamomile, calendula, mint, and lemon balm.

Why are plants like hyssop, rue, or wormwood missing from this list?

While herbs like hyssop, rue, wormwood, and tansy are rich in magical history and absolutely valid within witchcraft traditions, they can be toxic in large quantities or cause serious side effects when ingested.

For this guide, I’ve prioritized herbs that are beginner-friendly, widely accessible, and safe to grow and use, particularly in home gardens where children might be nearby. If you have pets, make sure to keep them away from your herb garden as most herbs are toxic to dogs and cats. If you’re allergic to any of the plants on the list, please don’t plant them. And, if you’re pregnant, please consult with your doctor before ingesting any of them.

Sources and Further Reading

De Materia Medica by Dioscorides
Natural History by Pliny the Elder
The Lacnunga
Culpeper’s Complete Herbal by Nicholas Culpeper
Cunningham’s Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs by Scott Cunningham