Purple Flowering Herbs: 19 Edible Options With Stunning Blooms

19 Herbs With Purple Flowers: A Guide for Gardeners and Cooks

If you’re captivated by rich hues of violet, plum, and lavender, adding herbs with purple flowers to your garden is a rewarding way to enjoy both visual beauty and aromatic delights. Many of these herbs are dual-purpose: their fragrant foliage and blooms invigorate landscapes, while their leaves and flowers offer culinary, medicinal, or ornamental value. This guide features 19 stunning herbs with purple flowers, along with tips for growing, harvesting, and using them.

• Long-lasting Color: Most of these herbs bloom from spring through fall, offering extended garden beauty.
• Drought Tolerance: Many thrive in dry areas, making them ideal for low-water gardens.
• Edible and Medicinal: While some are grown primarily for bloom, many provide flavorful additions to kitchen and herbal remedies.

Why Grow Herbs With Purple Flowers?

Herbs with purple flowers do more than just add a splash of color. Their striking blossoms attract pollinators, create visual interest, and, in many cases, are edible or medicinal. For gardeners, these plants deliver low-maintenance beauty and offer a steady supply of fresh herbs for cooking or natural remedies. Read on to discover which purple-flowered herbs might be perfect for your beds, borders, or containers.

List of 19 Herbs With Purple Flowers

Below is a selection of popular and lesser-known herbs that produce beautiful purple blossoms. Each entry includes key growing information and tips on ornamental or culinary uses.

Lavender (Lavandula spp.)

Lavender is synonymous with purple flowers, famous for its fragrant spikes and calming aroma. Its blooms attract bees and can be dried for culinary, medicinal, or craft uses. Ideal for borders and containers, it thrives in well-drained soil and low-water conditions. Prune after blooming to maintain shape and encourage new growth.

Thai Basil (Ocimum basilicum var. thyrsiflora)

Thai basil features bright green, elliptical leaves and striking dark purple flower heads. It brings a spicy, anise-clove flavor to Southeast Asian cuisine and is especially prized as a garnish for pho. The purple blossoms make it a beautiful addition to edible gardens and containers. Harvest leaves frequently to encourage bushy growth and delay flowering for more leaf production.

Chives (Allium schoenoprasum)

Chives produce globe-shaped purple flowers in late spring. Their mild onion-flavored leaves and edible blossoms are excellent in salads, soups, and herb butters. Chives are perennial and easy to grow in beds or containers. Divide clumps every few years to promote health and vigor.

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Sage (Salvia officinalis)

Common sage offers aromatic leaves and tall spikes of soft-to-deep purple flowers. Both leaves and blossoms are edible; use them to flavor poultry, stuffing, and potatoes. Sage tolerates drought and poor soils but requires good drainage to avoid root rot. Replace plants every few years as they become woody.

Purple Basil (Ocimum basilicum ‘Purpurascens’)

Purple basil is grown for both its deep violet foliage and its fragrant purple flower spikes. Its spicy, sweet flavor complements salads, pesto, and cocktails. Pinch off flowers to prolong the harvest of leaves, or let a few bloom for pollinator appeal.

Rosemary (Salvia rosmarinus)

Rosemary’s tiny purple-blue flowers dot its needle-like stems from late winter to early spring. This aromatic shrub provides year-round foliage for culinary use. Plant in well-drained soil and prune after flowering. Its blooms draw pollinators and make attractive cut flowers.

Thyme (Thymus vulgaris and Thymus serpyllum)

Both common thyme and creeping thyme produce clusters of tiny purple flowers in summer, creating a lush carpet of color. The leaves are edible, adding a woodsy flavor to meats and vegetables. Creeping thyme is more ornamental, while common thyme is favored in the kitchen.

Self-Heal (Prunella vulgaris)

Self-heal features clusters of compact purple flowers and is prized in folk medicine for its reputed healing properties. It thrives in moist, fertile soils and naturalizes easily in lawns, meadows, or wildflower gardens.

Anise Hyssop (Agastache foeniculum)

This North American native provides upright spikes of aromatic purple flowers that attract bees and butterflies. Both flowers and leaves have a sweet, licorice aroma and can be used in teas and desserts.

Purple Perilla (Shiso, Perilla frutescens var. crispa)

Purple perilla is an annual herb with ruffled, dark purple-green leaves and pale purple flower spikes. Its leaves are used in Asian dishes, especially sushi and pickles. Shiso readily self-seeds and grows in a variety of soils.

Bee Balm (Monarda didyma)

Bee balm or bergamot bears clusters of frilly purple to red flowers in midsummer, loved by bees and hummingbirds. The aromatic leaves can be used for herbal tea. Provide well-drained soil and space for air circulation to prevent mildew.

Borage (Borago officinalis)

Borage has star-shaped purple-blue flowers and bristly leaves. Both are edible: use flowers as a garnish and young leaves in salads. Borage grows quickly from seed and can be used as a companion plant to deter pests and improve soil.

Catmint (Nepeta spp.)

Catmint produces long-lasting spikes of lavender-purple flowers from spring through summer. It is prized for its low-maintenance growth, aromatic leaves, and ability to attract pollinators. Catmint is often used as a border or groundcover.

Mint (Mentha spp.)

Mint varieties, especially wild or spearmint, feature clusters of small purple flowers on upright spikes. Their leaves are versatile in teas, desserts, and savory dishes. Best grown in containers to prevent spreading.

Oregano (Origanum vulgare)

This classic Mediterranean herb produces purple-pink clusters in summer. Both leaves and flowers are aromatic and used in Italian and Greek cuisine. Oregano prefers well-draining soil and benefits from regular harvesting to encourage new growth.

Marjoram (Origanum majorana)

Marjoram has small, clustered purple to white flowers and a sweet flavor reminiscent of oregano. The leaves and flowers can be used fresh or dried. Best grown as an annual in cooler climates.

Wild Bergamot (Monarda fistulosa)

Closely related to bee balm, wild bergamot displays lavender-purple flowers and aromatic foliage. It’s a favorite for pollinators and makes an attractive addition to native planting schemes.

African Blue Basil (Ocimum kilimandscharicum × basilicum ‘Dark Opal’)

This hybrid basil is prized for its stunning purple-tinted leaves and showy purple flower spikes. Its leaves have a bold, camphor scent and are used in teas and as culinary accents.

Perennial Sweet Pea (Lathyrus latifolius)

Although not a traditional culinary herb, the perennial sweet pea has upright stems with purple flowers and attractive foliage. Grown mainly for ornamental value, it is a vigorous climber that adds height and color to trellises.

Vetch (Vicia sativa and Vicia villosa)

Vetch species produce purple pea-like flowers and are often used as cover crops to fix nitrogen. In some regions, their leaves and flowers are edible, but they are grown mostly for soil improvement and erosion control.

How to Use Herbs With Purple Flowers

Many purple-flowered herbs are versatile in the kitchen and home:

• Edible Flowers: Use chive or borage flowers as a garnish on soups, salads, or desserts.
• Herbal Teas: Brew lavender, anise hyssop, or wild bergamot for aromatic herbal teas.
• Culinary Accents: Add basil and sage blossoms to salads or pasta for a unique flavor and color.
• Crafts & Potpourri: Dry lavender or rosemary for sachets, wreaths, or floral arrangements.
• Medicinal Remedies: Explore the use of self-heal, anise hyssop, and mint in natural home remedies.

Tips for Growing and Maintaining Purple-Flowered Herbs

• Soil Prep: Most thrive in well-drained, moderately fertile soil; amend clay with compost and sand.
• Watering: Water deeply but less frequently to encourage roots and avoid rot; drought-tolerant types need less water.
• Sunlight: Choose the sunniest spots for most herbs; partial shade is acceptable for a few species like mint or perilla.
• Pruning: Regular harvesting of leaves encourages bushier growth and longer blooming.
• Winter Hardiness: Mulch perennials in cold climates; replant or overwinter tender types indoors.

Table: Quick Guide to 19 Purple-Flowered Herbs

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Which herbs with purple flowers are edible?

Many are edible, including lavender, chives, basil (Thai and purple), sage, borage, oregano, mint, and anise hyssop. Use flowers and leaves in salads, teas, or as garnishes.

Will harvesting herbs prevent them from flowering?

Frequent harvesting of leaves can delay or reduce flowering in annual herbs like basil. For perennial herbs, routine harvesting encourages new growth and may result in more blooms later in the season.

Which purple-flowered herbs attract pollinators?

Lavender, bee balm, borage, catmint, anise hyssop, and oregano are particularly attractive to bees and butterflies, supporting a healthy garden ecosystem.

Can I grow these purple-flowered herbs in containers?

Most of these herbs grow well in containers. Use quality potting soil, provide adequate sunlight, and ensure good drainage for best results.

Are there purple-flowered herbs for shade?

While most prefer sun, some like mint, purple perilla, and self-heal tolerate partial shade and can brighten up less sunny garden spots.

Conclusion

Herbs with purple flowers offer a harmonious blend of beauty, fragrance, and utility in both garden and kitchen. Their blooms can brighten beds, support pollinators, and add flavorful accents to your cooking. Whether you’re a fan of culinary experimentation, natural remedies, or simply want to enjoy their vibrant displays, including a variety of purple-flowered herbs in your garden is a simple way to elevate both your landscape and your everyday living.

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Anjali Sayee

 

Anjali is an Associate Editor at StyleCraze with 7 years of experience specializing in hairstyles, hair care, and skin care. She has authored over 300 articles and offers expert advice on hair styling techniques, effective skin care routines, and tips for maintaining healthy hair and skin.

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