Herbs (Miscellaneous)
Cilantro, parsley, dill, mint, and other herbs beyond basil. Each has distinct temperature and light preferences. Herbs are among the highest value-per-space crops — grocery prices are absurd for something that grows in 30 days.
Quick Reference
| Herb | Day Temp | Night Temp | VPD | DLI | pH | EC | Days to Harvest | Bolt Risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cilantro | 60-72°F | 50-60°F | 0.8-1.0 | 12-16 | 6.0-6.5 | 1.0-1.4 | 30-45 | HIGH above 75°F |
| Parsley | 65-75°F | 55-65°F | 0.8-1.2 | 12-18 | 5.5-6.5 | 1.0-1.6 | 45-60 | Low |
| Dill | 60-72°F | 50-60°F | 0.8-1.0 | 14-18 | 5.5-6.5 | 1.0-1.4 | 40-55 | HIGH above 75°F |
| Mint | 65-75°F | 55-65°F | 0.8-1.2 | 12-16 | 6.0-7.0 | 1.2-1.6 | 30-45 | Low |
| Chives | 65-75°F | 55-65°F | 0.8-1.2 | 14-18 | 6.0-6.5 | 1.2-1.6 | 60-90 | Low |
| Oregano | 70-80°F | 60-65°F | 0.8-1.2 | 14-18 | 6.0-7.0 | 1.2-1.8 | 45-60 | Low |
| Thyme | 65-75°F | 55-65°F | 0.8-1.2 | 14-18 | 5.5-7.0 | 0.8-1.2 | 60-90 | Low |
The Cilantro Problem
Cilantro bolts (goes to flower/seed) at temperatures above 75°F. The East Zone hits 91°F on hot days. This means:
- March-April: ✅ Good window. East zone is cool enough.
- May-September: ❌ Too hot. Cilantro will bolt within days of hitting 80°F.
- October-February: ✅ Good window if supplemental light is adequate.
Mitigation: Use slow-bolt varieties (Calypso, Santo). Plant in rapid succession — cilantro from seed to harvest in 30 days. Or accept the bolt and harvest the coriander seed.
Dill has the same bolting problem.
Zone Recommendations
| Herb | Best Zone | Rationale |
|---|---|---|
| Cilantro | East hydro, spring/fall only | Needs coolest zone + correct season |
| Parsley | East or West | Tolerant, flexible |
| Dill | East, spring/fall only | Bolt-sensitive like cilantro |
| Mint | West shelving (ISOLATED) | ⚠️ Mint is invasive. Never in hydro. Contained pot on shelving. |
| Chives | East or West | Perennial, tough, any zone |
| Oregano | West or South | Heat-tolerant, likes light |
| Thyme | West or South | Drought-tolerant, likes dry conditions |
⚠️ Mint Warning
Never plant mint in the hydroponic system. Mint is aggressively rhizomatous — it sends runners through any shared growing medium and will colonize the entire hydro rail system. Keep mint in an isolated container on shelving.
Hydroponic Growing Notes
- Spacing: Most herbs can go in consecutive positions
- Harvest method: Cut-and-come-again for most
- Nutrient level: Light feeders. EC 1.0-1.6 for most herbs.
- Mixed planting: Herbs with similar needs (parsley + chives) can share adjacent hydro positions
Economics
| Herb | Grocery Price | Greenhouse Yield | Value/Position/Month |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cilantro | $2-3/bunch | 2-4 bunches/month | $4-12 |
| Parsley | $2-3/bunch | 2-4 bunches/month | $4-12 |
| Mint | $2-3/bunch | 3-6 bunches/month | $6-18 |
| Chives | $2-3/bunch | 2-3 bunches/month | $4-9 |
| Dill | $2-3/bunch | 2-3 bunches/month | $4-9 |
Herbs are the highest-value crop per position.
→ See Basil for the primary herb profile → See All Crop Profiles