It's a common misconception that herbs only grow well in warm, sunny climates. Fortunately, many herbs thrive even in the coldest of the USDA garden zones: Zone 3.
The Grower's Exchange offers annual and perennial herbs for Zone 3 gardens. Our plants are grown without harmful chemicals, we ship them well-rooted and ready to plant. Our healthy, cold-hardy plants will thrive in your indoor container garden or Zone 3 garden if cared for correctly.
Zone 3 Herbs You Can Plant in Your Indoor, Outdoor or Container Garden
Zone 3 has a brief growing window. On average, the last frost date in Zone 3 occurs in May, while the first frost date typically falls in the first half of September. Knowing these dates can help you create an effective planting schedule for your Zone 3 plants.
The key to gardening success in chilly climates is selecting appropriate Zone 3 plants. Some herbs, like tarragon, are more tender and can be grown as annuals or in pots that can be moved indoors during the winter. Other, more hardy species work well as perennial herbs in Zone 3.
The following are some herbs we offer that grow well in Zone 3.
Sorrel "Blonde de Lyon" is a versatile herb with bright green, citrus-flavored leaves that add a hint of tanginess to your salads and other culinary dishes. In fact, this herb is commonly used in French cuisine.
This herbaceous perennial is an excellent addition to Zone 3 outdoor gardens. It thrives in well-draining soil and needs partial shade to protect it from the sun. It can also be grown in containers.
You can easily cultivate this herb, whether you have ample garden space or a compact balcony. Even in Zone 3's challenging climate, with proper soil, watering and care, you'll have a steady supply of Sorrel "Blonde de Lyon" to enhance your dishes.
Sweetgrass is a rare aromatic herb suitable for Zone 3 gardens. This perennial grass is known for its pleasant, sweet smell and boasts long, slender blades and graceful seed heads. When crushed, sweetgrass leaves release a scent similar to vanilla.
Sweetgrass is native to North America and northern Eurasia. It has cultural significance among many Indigenous peoples, and it is used in purification rituals.
Choose a sunny location with well-drained soil for sweetgrass to flourish. Regular watering and pruning can help it thrive. Sweetgrass blooms from May to July, producing tiny flowers in brown, green and purple shades.
Chives are a hardy herb that's perfect for Zone 3 gardens. These perennial plants thrive in cooler climates and can be grown outdoors and in containers.
Chives are characterized by grass-like leaves reaching up to a foot tall. They produce vibrant purple-pink globe-shaped flowers or pom-poms in late spring, making them both a culinary herb and an ornamental one.
To cultivate chives successfully, plant them in well-draining soil, provide ample sunlight and ensure they receive consistent moisture.
Nettle is a perennial herb well-suited for Zone 3 gardening in outdoor beds and containers. It has serrated, lance-shaped leaves which are covered in stiff hairs that sting when touched. In the blooming season, the nettle plant produces tiny white, green or purple flowers in clusters.
Nettles have a rich history of culinary and medicinal applications, despite their reputation as a common weed. Cooking nettles can effectively remove the sting. However, exercise caution and use gloves when handling them, as their leaves may irritate the skin.
Select a well-drained location with partial to full sunlight to cultivate nettles successfully. While nettles can be somewhat invasive, their adaptability makes them ideal for Zone 3 gardens. Additionally, you can plant them in containers to keep them from spreading.
Tansy is a hardy perennial suitable for Zone 3 outdoor and container gardening. Recognizable by its fern-like foliage and clusters of bright yellow button-like flowers, tansy adds a vibrant touch to any garden. This herb is also known for its natural pest-repelling properties.
When growing tansy, choose a well-drained location with full sunlight to partial shade. Pruning and deadheading can help maintain its shape and encourage continuous blooming. Tansy is a low-maintenance herb that thrives in Zone 3 conditions.
Shop Online for Zone 3 Plants
If you're searching for perennial herbs for Zone 3 gardening, look no further than The Growers Exchange. We deliver healthy, high-quality and ready-to-plant herbs to your doorstep.
We use minimally invasive biological controls to keep the plants we offer free from disease and pests. The Grower’s Exchange operates on a "virtually local” business model, so we prioritize providing friendly service and treat our customers as neighbors.
All of the herbs we offer are not patented. This means you are free to grow and share them with your friends. Additionally, we provide free resources on our website to help gardeners with their herb-planting projects. View our selection, and order online today!
Please Note: We sell plants online, NOT seeds. Our plants are well rooted and ready to plant - our standard pot is 3.5 inches. After you buy, we will ship our plants when they are ROOT READY. They will have good top growth unless they are coming into or out of dormancy. We grow all of our plants to the point that they are ready to go into the ground or a container.
