Beginner’s Guide to 5 Easy Herbs for Urban Gardening

Growing herbs successfully depends largely on climate. It’s essential to know which herbs thrive in your region, as what grows easily in tropical climates may struggle in four-season countries (EASY GARDENING: SEED SOWING FOR BEGINNERS). Through experience, we’ve learned that some herbs suited for cooler climates simply don’t do well in our environment. 

The herbs we’re sharing here are ideal for Southeast Asia, where temperatures are warm, and rainfall varies throughout the year. While we grow them directly in the ground due to available space, these herbs can also be cultivated in pots.

Why do we grow herbs at Nava’s Zen? As part of our core values- sustainability, self-sufficiency, and natural living - we encourage others to grow their own herbs, share the harvest, and embrace chemical-free gardening. Plus, nothing beats the satisfaction of using freshly harvested herbs in your cooking.

Pandan Leaves (Screwpine Leaves)
Often called the “vanilla of the East,” pandan leaves grow in thick clusters with minimal effort. They don’t require fertilizers - just sufficient water and sunlight. While they can grow in shaded areas, their growth is slower. Apart from their culinary use in desserts and rice dishes, pandan leaves are a natural insect repellent and are valued for their fragrant, calming aroma in traditional aromatherapy (PANDAN/SCREWPINE LEAVES BENEFITS & USES).

Spring Onion/(Scallion (Daun Bawang)

We’ve covered spring onion (scallion) cultivation in depth, along with the benefits and growing tips of lemongrass, in our article: EASY TIPS FOR GROWING SPRING ONIONS. But if you haven’t started growing it yet, you should! It’s one of the easiest herbs to regrow from kitchen scraps. Even a small sprinkle of freshly chopped spring onion can enhance the aroma and flavor of your dishes, proving that fresh is always best.

Lemongrass (Serai)
Lemongrass is another easy-to-grow herb with multiple benefits, but to summarize, we grow two varieties: Serai Wangi (Cymbopogon nardus) and ordinary lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus). While they look similar, their uses differ - ordinary lemongrass is edible and commonly used in cooking, while Serai Wangi is prized for its essential oils and mosquito-repelling properties.

 

Serai Wangi has a stronger, musky scent with thinner, taller stalks, whereas ordinary lemongrass has a citrus aroma with thicker, pale-green stalks.

Ginger (Halia)
Many believe ginger is difficult to grow, but in reality, it’s incredibly simple. Just bury store-bought ginger in the soil - no need for pre-rooting. However, it must be planted at least 5-6 inches deep to prevent rotting. In Malaysia, the Bentong ginger is highly sought after, and we grow both,  this and regular ginger from supermarket-bought rhizomes. 

The joy of harvesting your own fresh ginger is incomparable. Have you tried making ginger rice? (GINGER RICE RECIPE: RICE COOKER STYLE).

Turmeric (Kunyit)
Easily grown like growing ginger, se started growing turmeric in pots and later transitioned to planting them directly in the ground, as it’s a staple in our cooking. Did you know fresh turmeric is processed into turmeric powder? There are two common types: Kasturi Manjal (Curcuma aromatica) and regular turmeric (Curcuma longa). 

Kasturi Manjal is mainly used for skincare due to its fragrant, non-staining properties, while Curcuma longa is valued for its rich curcumin content, making it ideal for cooking and medicinal use. Kasturi Manjal has a bitter taste and is rarely used in food.
 

We also grow black turmeric, but if you plan to use it for health benefits, proper processing is required beforehand. Unlike regular turmeric, it is not commonly used in cooking.

Are you already growing these herbs? We’d love to hear your gardening experiences and how you use these herbs in your cooking. To the rest of you - why not start your own herb garden today?

(Ms. Nava is a dynamic individual in her 60s, leading yoga sessions at Nava's Zen while also embracing her passion for gardening through Zen Blooming. With credentials in gardening and extensive experience, she cultivates a serene environment that reflects her commitment to Zen, inspiring others to find balance and tranquility in their lives).