3 Plants for Your Aromatic Garden

From Garden to Aroma: Cultivating Essential Oil Plants for a Therapeutic Experience

I like to try new plants in my garden, but I also have long-time favorites that I come back to again and again.

As aromatherapists or essential oil enthusiasts, we not only get to indulge in the wonderful scents and therapeutic benefits of these oils, but we also have the unique opportunity to understand, appreciate, and connect with the source of these oils - the plants. By cultivating our own gardens, we are not only contributing to a greener planet but also developing a deeper appreciation for the miraculous process that gives us these potent oils. Here are three plant ideas to include in your garden.

Three of my favorite aromatic plants for the garden are rosemary, lavender, and basil. I don't feel like my garden is complete without them!

Rosemary

This evergreen herb is a staple in any aromatic garden. Not only does it provide a beautiful visual aesthetic with its needle-like leaves and pale blue flowers, but it also emits a delightful scent. The beauty of rosemary is in its resilience. It isn't a fussy plant and tends to thrive even if sometimes neglected. However, it's worth noting that rosemary doesn't fare well in frosty weather. If you live in a colder region, consider growing your rosemary in a pot indoors. What makes rosemary a favorite is its versatility. Its leaves and flowers are edible and can be used in a myriad of culinary dishes.

Lavender

This aromatic beauty is a must-have for any garden. Lavender is renowned for its relaxing and calming scent. The plant itself is quite hardy and can survive in arid climates, often flourishing in rock gardens and pots. Its purple blossoms attract bees, contributing to biodiversity in your garden. When harvesting lavender, cut a small bundle of stems, tie them, and hang them upside down in a cool, dark, well-ventilated area. This process ensures the preservation of color and the prevention of mold growth. Dried lavender is perfect for making potpourri sachets, which can add a beautiful scent to any room.

Basil

This herb is another aromatic plant that can bring a lot of joy to the garden and the kitchen. Basil thrives on pruning; the more you prune, the more leaves it will produce. Just remember not to prune it too drastically! Basil has many therapeutic benefits and is often used as a natural remedy. It's known to promote digestion and is also used for alleviating insect stings. If a bee - possibly attracted by your lavender plants - happens to sting you, a common folk remedy is to chew a fresh basil leaf and apply it to the sting site to alleviate pain.

Enjoy!