11 Gorgeous Purple-Flowering Herbs That Are Easy to Grow

Looking to brighten up your garden with low-maintenance plants that offer both beauty and function? Herbs with purple flowers are a great way to add color, attract pollinators, and enjoy fresh flavors right from your backyard. These easy-to-grow herbs are perfect for gardeners of all levels and bring a soothing, elegant touch to any outdoor space.

This post may contain affiliate links, which helps keep this content free. Please read our disclosure for more info.

Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)

Lavender is one of the most iconic herbs with purple flowers, and it brings both elegance and practicality to your garden. Its fragrant blooms attract pollinators like bees and butterflies, making it a vital part of any eco-friendly space. Lavender thrives in full sun and well-drained soil, and once established, it is highly drought-tolerant.

This herb is also known for its calming properties and can be harvested for use in essential oils, sachets, or herbal teas. Its silvery-green foliage pairs beautifully with its violet blooms, creating a dreamy visual contrast in any garden bed or border. Even in small spaces, lavender thrives in containers, making it a flexible choice for gardeners of all experience levels.

Chives (Allium schoenoprasum)

Chives are not only a kitchen staple but also a beautiful ornamental herb with charming purple globe-like flowers. These blooms appear in late spring to early summer and attract bees and other beneficial insects to your garden. Chives are incredibly easy to grow and can flourish in pots or directly in garden beds.

The plant requires minimal care, just full sun and regular watering, and it grows back year after year. The edible flowers and leaves add a mild onion flavor to dishes and make a colorful garnish for soups and salads. With both culinary and visual appeal, chives are a practical and pretty herb for any dreamy garden.

Thai Basil (Ocimum basilicum var. thyrsiflora)

Thai basil is a striking herb with glossy green leaves and vivid purple stems and flowers. It offers a spicy, anise-like flavor and is a staple in Southeast Asian cuisine. This herb is perfect for gardeners looking to combine beauty and utility in their planting choices.

Not only do its purple blooms add flair to your herb bed, but they also attract pollinators. Thai basil grows best in full sun and well-drained soil, and it is relatively low-maintenance. You can harvest its flavorful leaves throughout the growing season while still enjoying its vibrant flowers.

Anise Hyssop (Agastache foeniculum)

Anise hyssop is a tall, fragrant herb with purple flower spikes that bloom from mid to late summer. These tubular blossoms are highly attractive to hummingbirds, bees, and butterflies. The plant has a sweet licorice scent, and both the leaves and flowers are edible, often used in teas or as a garnish.

This herb prefers full sun and well-drained soil but is forgiving and drought-tolerant once established. Its upright growth makes it a great backdrop plant in herb gardens or borders. With its dreamy color and scent, anise hyssop adds both visual and sensory appeal.

Purple Sage (Salvia officinalis ‘Purpurascens’)

Purple sage features grayish-green leaves with a deep purple tint, especially on new growth, and it blooms with small lavender flowers in early summer. This hardy perennial herb is not only ornamental but also widely used in cooking, particularly in savory dishes.

It thrives in well-drained soil and full sun, making it ideal for low-maintenance gardens. Its purple hues offer contrast among greener herbs, while its flowers attract pollinators. Purple sage is a perfect choice if you want a culinary herb with decorative flair.

Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis ‘Quedlinburger Niederliegende’)

Though typically known for its green leaves and lemon scent, some lemon balm varieties, like ‘Quedlinburger Niederliegende’, produce soft purple to lavender flowers. These blooms add a gentle touch of color and attract bees during mid-summer.

Lemon balm is a fast grower and thrives in partial to full sun. It spreads easily, making it an excellent ground cover in herb gardens. This herb is often used in teas and aromatherapy, and adds a refreshing scent to your garden with the bonus of delicate purple blooms.

Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis)

Rosemary is a woody, evergreen herb known for its fragrant, needle-like leaves and pale blue to purple flowers. These small blooms appear in spring and occasionally again in late summer, providing seasonal color and nectar for bees.

It prefers sunny locations with well-drained soil and is drought-tolerant once mature. Rosemary can be pruned into attractive shapes or allowed to grow freely as a small shrub. Its culinary value, fragrant foliage, and subtle purple flowers make it a standout herb for any dreamy garden.

Borage (Borago officinalis)

Borage is a lesser-known but stunning herb that produces brilliant star-shaped purple-blue flowers. The plant has hairy leaves with a mild cucumber flavor and grows quickly in full sun with moderate watering.

The blooms are edible and often used as a garnish or frozen into ice cubes for decorative drinks. Borage is also a companion plant, improving soil health and repelling pests. Its vibrant flowers and ease of growth make it a perfect herb for those who want color and utility.

Tulsi (Ocimum tenuiflorum)

Also known as holy basil, tulsi is a sacred herb in many cultures and features spikes of small purple flowers. It has a strong, spicy aroma and is used in herbal medicine for its adaptogenic properties.

Tulsi grows well in warm climates with plenty of sunlight and can be cultivated in containers or garden beds. The flowers not only enhance the plant’s beauty but also serve as a source of nectar for pollinators. This herb brings both spiritual and botanical richness to your space.

Catmint (Nepeta mussinii)

Catmint produces masses of purple-blue flowers that bloom throughout the summer and sometimes into fall. This low-maintenance herb grows well in dry, sunny spots and is a favorite among bees and butterflies.

Its soft gray-green foliage contrasts beautifully with the blooms, creating a dreamy, cottage-garden feel. While it is not typically used in cooking, it has calming effects and is sometimes used in herbal teas. Catmint is ideal for gardeners who want long-lasting flowers and easy care.

Bergamot (Monarda fistulosa)

Also known as bee balm, bergamot features unique, shaggy purple flowers that bloom in midsummer. The plant emits a pleasant citrus-mint scent and attracts hummingbirds, bees, and butterflies.

Bergamot prefers sunny areas and moist soil, and it makes a lovely addition to borders or wildflower gardens. Both its leaves and flowers can be used for tea. With its distinctive flower shape and rich color, bergamot brings wild charm and fragrance to your garden.

This article originally appeared on Avocadu.