Best Herbs to Grow in Alberta
Alberta spans USDA Zones 2–5, typically Zone 3. We've broken out 82 herb varieties by zone — pick your zone below or find the right varieties for your specific part of the state.
Varieties
82
for Alberta
USDA
Zones 2–5
85–155 days season
Beginner
75
easy to grow
Heirloom
69
heritage varieties
Alberta in USDA Zones 2–5
Alberta spans Zones 2–5. Variety lists below are organized by zone — start with your zone for the most accurate recommendations.
Growing Herbs in Alberta
Zone 3 presents unique opportunities and challenges for herb gardeners. While the short growing season and late spring frosts can be limiting, the intense summer sun and cool nights actually concentrate essential oils in many herbs, giving you incredibly flavorful harvests. The key is choosing varieties that can either handle light frosts or produce quickly enough to give you multiple harvests before September's first freeze.
When selecting herbs for Zone 3, prioritize cold-hardy perennials like English Lavender, Common Thyme, and Garden Sage that can overwinter with protection, along with fast-maturing annuals like Cilantro and Dill that can be succession planted throughout the season. Basil varieties, while frost-sensitive, grow vigorously in Zone 3's warm summers if you time plantings correctly and provide protection during cool snaps.
The herb varieties listed here have been specifically chosen for their ability to thrive in Zone 3's climate. From hardy perennials that return year after year to quick-growing annuals perfect for succession planting, these selections will give you a continuous supply of fresh herbs from late spring through early fall.
Zone 3 Herbs for Alberta★ Most of AB
63 varieties · Last frost May 15 · 120-day season
Zone 2 Herbs for Alberta
20 varieties · Last frost June 1 · 85-day season
Zone 4 Herbs for Alberta
73 varieties · Last frost May 10 · 135-day season
Zone 5 Herbs for Alberta
82 varieties · Last frost April 30 · 155-day season
Zone 3 Growing Tips for Alberta
Start tender herbs like basil, French Tarragon, and Chocolate Mint indoors 6-8 weeks before your last frost date (typically early to mid-March for a mid-May transplant). Hardy herbs like Cilantro, Dill, and Parsley can be direct seeded 2-3 weeks before the last frost, as they actually prefer cooler soil temperatures for germination. Wait until nighttime temperatures consistently stay above 50°F before transplanting warm-season herbs outdoors—usually late May to early June in Zone 3.
Season extension is crucial for maximizing your herb harvest. Use row covers, cold frames, or even simple plastic milk jugs as mini greenhouses to protect plants from unexpected late spring or early fall frosts. Many Zone 3 gardeners get an extra 2-4 weeks of growing time this way. For continuous harvests, succession plant fast-growing herbs like Cilantro and Dill every 2-3 weeks from late April through mid-August.
The biggest challenge in Zone 3 is the temperature swings—80°F days followed by 40°F nights aren't uncommon in late May and early September. Basil is particularly sensitive to these fluctuations, so consider growing it in containers that can be moved to protection, or invest in quality row covers for your herb garden.