If you’re planning a culinary herb garden, one of the first decisions you’ll face is how to source your seeds. Should you pick individual seed packets for each herb you want to grow, or choose a herb seed bank that bundles multiple varieties together?
Both strategies work — but depending on your gardening goals, experience level, and how much planning you want to do, one option may be a much better fit for you.
In this guide, we’ll explain what herb seed banks are, how they differ from buying individual culinary herb seeds, and help you decide which approach makes the most sense for your kitchen garden.
What Are Individual Herb Seed Packets?
Individual herb seed packets are exactly what they sound like — individual packets containing seeds of one herb variety, such as:
- Basil
- Parsley
- Thyme
- Oregano
- Rosemary
- Sage
With this approach, you pick each variety one by one based on your preferences. It gives you full control over exactly what you plant, how many seeds you use, and where they go in your garden.
What Is a Herb Seed Bank?
A herb seed bank is a curated collection of several herb seed packets packaged together for convenience. Instead of searching for and buying herbs one at a time, you get a bundle designed to give your culinary garden a balanced mix of useful herbs.
Herb seed banks, such as the SeedsNow Culinary Herb Seed Bank, typically include many of the most popular kitchen herbs all in one package.
Buying Individual Seeds: Pros and Cons
✅ Pros
- Total control – you choose each variety you want
- Custom selection – perfect for specialty gardens or specific recipes
- Can select rare or unique herbs
- Good for small or highly specific gardens
❌ Cons
- More planning required – you must decide what works together
- More time spent researching each herb
- You may overlook important combinations
- Can be more expensive if buying many packets one by one
Individual packets are great when you already know exactly what you want and want full customization.
Herb Seed Banks: Pros and Cons
✅ Pros
- Curated mix of herbs — no guesswork
- Convenience – one purchase, multiple useful varieties
- Often more cost-effective
- Great for beginners
- Balanced selection for kitchen use
❌ Cons
- Less customization – you may get some herbs you don’t plan to use
- Larger quantity than needed for very small spaces
- Not ideal if you want only a specific rare herb
For many gardeners — especially beginners — the convenience and variety of a seed bank outweigh the loss of choice.
Key Differences at a Glance
Here’s a simple comparison to help clarify:
| Factor | Herb Seed Bank | Individual Seed Packets |
|---|---|---|
| Ease of selection | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐ |
| Variety in one purchase | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐ |
| Customization | ⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Beginner friendliness | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐ |
| Cost per variety | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐ |
When a Seed Bank Makes More Sense
A herb seed bank is usually a better choice when:
✔ You’re new to gardening
✔ You want a balanced starter collection
✔ You want to grow multiple herbs without research
✔ You’re focused on everyday cooking (not rare herbs)
✔ You want convenience and simplicity
Seed banks act like a starter kit for your culinary herb garden, taking out the guesswork so you can focus on growing and harvesting.
When Individual Seeds Might Be Better
Individual packets might be best if:
✔ You already know exactly what you want
✔ You only need one or two herbs
✔ You want rare or specialty varieties
✔ You’re crafting a themed herb garden (e.g., only basil varieties)
This approach gives you complete precision — but it takes more effort.
A Practical Middle Ground
Most gardeners find a hybrid approach works well:
- Start with a herb seed bank as your foundation
- Add a few individual packets for your favorites or unique herbs
This provides variety, structure, and customization.
Why Many Gardeners Love Herb Seed Banks
Herb seed banks are popular because they:
- Save time on planning
- Give a balanced variety in one purchase
- Are beginner-friendly
- Support gardens with multiple herbs
- Often cost less per seed variety than buying separately
One example of this is the SeedsNow Culinary Herb Seed Bank, which combines multiple useful kitchen herbs into an easy-to-use bundle.
Final Thoughts
There’s no one correct way to source herb seeds — both herb seed banks and individual seed packets have their place. The best choice depends on your goals:
- If you want maximum control and customization, individual packets could be right.
- If you want ease, variety, and a simple start, a herb seed bank often wins.
For many gardeners, the most effective solution is a mix: use a seed bank as your base and add individual seeds where you want extra customization.
Click below to check current pricing, seed varieties included, and availability on the official SeedsNow website.
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