Water leafy herbs like basil, parsley and mint every 2 to 3 days in summer, and woody herbs like rosemary, thyme and sage about once a week. Herbs in small pots may need water daily in heat. Always check the soil first, because woody herbs rot fast in wet soil.
A starting point, not a rule. Check the soil before each watering and stretch the gap in cool, cloudy weather.
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Herbs are not one plant, so they do not share one watering schedule. A pot of basil and a pot of rosemary on the same windowsill want almost opposite things.
The easy way to think about it is soft versus woody. Soft, leafy herbs grow fast and drink a lot. Woody herbs come from dry, rocky hillsides and hate wet feet. Your job is to sort your herbs into these two groups and water each group to suit.
Herb watering schedule
| Type of herb | How often |
|---|---|
| Leafy herbs in pots: basil, parsley, cilantro, chives | Every 1 to 2 days in summer |
| Leafy herbs in the ground | Every 2 to 3 days |
| Mint and lemon balm | Every 2 to 3 days, keep moist |
| Woody herbs: rosemary, thyme, sage, oregano | About once a week |
| Indoor herbs in winter | Every 4 to 7 days |
Small pots on a sunny windowsill dry out fastest. Herbs in large containers or garden beds need water far less often.
How to tell when herbs need water
For leafy herbs, push a finger 1 inch into the soil. If it is dry, water. They like soil that stays lightly moist.
For woody herbs, wait until the soil is dry 2 inches down or more. Their tough leaves rarely wilt, so do not wait for drooping. Check the soil instead.
How to water herbs
- Water in the morning. Herbs drink before the heat, and leaves dry fast, which keeps mildew away.
- Water the soil, not the leaves. Wet basil leaves can spot, and wet rosemary can get powdery mildew.
- Water until it drains. Soak pots fully, then empty the saucer.
- Use pots with drainage. Terracotta suits woody herbs, which like soil that dries quickly.
Signs of overwatering and underwatering
Too much water
- Yellow leaves, starting at the bottom
- Woody stems turning soft and brown
- Fungus gnats in the pot
- Wilting while the soil is wet
Too little water
- Leafy herbs drooping or flopping
- Crispy, brown leaf edges
- Basil and cilantro bolting early
- Small, tough leaves with weak flavor
Growing herbs indoors
Indoor herbs grow slower in lower light, so they need less water than outdoor ones. Check them every couple of days, and water only when the soil tells you to.
Supermarket herb pots are often packed with many seedlings in a small pot. They dry out quickly. Splitting them into a few larger pots makes watering much easier.
For specific herbs, see our guides to basil and mint. Lavender is a woody herb too, and our lavender guide shows the dry routine it likes.
Herbs watering FAQ
Should I water herbs every day?
Leafy herbs in small pots often need daily water in summer. Woody herbs like rosemary and thyme should not be watered daily.
Do herbs like wet or dry soil?
It depends. Basil, parsley and mint like moist soil. Rosemary, thyme, sage and oregano like soil that dries out between waterings.
How often should I water indoor herbs?
Usually every 2 to 4 days for leafy herbs and about once a week for woody herbs, less in winter.
We turn horticulture research and real growing experience into plain-English watering schedules you can actually follow.