Herbs with Purple Flowers

Last Updated on December 2, 2022 by Ellen Christian

A garden of purple herbs is not only beautiful but functional.  Here are a few herbs with purple flowers that you can add to your landscaping.

With spring only a few short months away, I have been giving some thought to what type of herbs I should put in my herb garden.

 

Herbs with Purple Flowers

I am going to try a few new herbs this year and I think that purple herbs will really make my herb garden pop more than the traditional greens. I love having a herb garden, but for the most part, herbs aren’t very colorful.  And, I think that these purple herbs will help add a bit of color.

Does thyme have little purple flowers?

Some varieties have little purple flowers. But, others have white or pink blossoms. It will depend on the type that you get. If you’re looking for purple flowering plants, these small purple flowers are not that big and may not be as noticeable.

Dark Purple Opal Basil (Ocimum basilicum purpureum)

Purple basil has a slightly more intense flavor than traditional basil so you don’t need to use it as much.  You can add a tiny bit to boiling water and boil just until the water changes color.  

Then remove the basil leaves and boil your cauliflower in them. Freak out the kids with purple cauliflower. I’ve grown this in the past and it’s definitely one of the easiest purple herbs to grow if you’re a novice.

Purple Chives (Allium schoenoprasum)

Another herb that I already grow is Allium schoenoprasum or Purple Chives.  Ideally, you want to snip them for use before the flower forms at the top.  I generally let a few of these purple herbs go to flower and keep another bunch for use throughout the season by removing the flowering head.

You can also remove the flower portion and put it in vinegar.  Not only is it pretty but it flavors the vinegar with a delicate chive taste. Just be sure to keep it out of the light or the flower will fade.

Purple Sage (Salvia carnosa)

Of all the purple herbs that I enjoy, purple sage is one of my favorites. Not only can you use it in cooking, it also has medicinal properties.  

It can be used as a decoction or infusion and used to treat coughs and colds. We have a huge bush of purple sage in the corner of our herb garden. I love running my fingers over the leaves in the summer because they smell so good.

This really should be part of any medicinal herb garden plan.

English Lavender (Lavandula)

So, what herb has little purple flowers? Lavender! Of all the purple herbs I love, this one is my favorite. I adore English lavender but sadly it will not grow for me. I’ve tried twice and it never comes back the next year.

I’m in zone 4 so it isn’t surprising but I still hope that some year I’ll have a return crop.  English lavender smells heavenly and can be used in bath salts and potpourri.

You can also cook with it.  I’ve made potato chowder with lavender buds and also a lavender bread that was delicious.

Bee Balm (Monarda didyma)

I love bee balm and have grown the red variety here in the past. You can also find pink and purple varieties so it would be a wonderful addition to your garden of purple herbs.

Bee balm attracts bees which are good for pollination and also repels mosquitoes. Bee balm is very high in vitamin C and makes a wonderful tea. This is one of my favorite ornamental herbs.

Wouldn’t you love to have a garden of purple herbs?

Purple flower herbs

• Lavender
• Anise hyssop
• Rosemary
• Catnip
• Oregano
• Sage
• Chives
• Spearmint
• Purple basil
• Rosemary
• Purple sage
• Bee balm

Check out the purple and pink flower inspiration in the video above. You may also enjoy learning more about the best fall bulbs for spring blooms and 9 fall flowers to attract honey bees. Or, check out these herbs with health benefits.

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