20 Medicinal Plants You Can Grow in Your Home Garden (Yes, Even in Zone 5)

Let’s be honest—nature’s medicine cabinet is way cooler than the one under your bathroom sink. While store-bought remedies have their place, growing your own healing plants puts the power (and peace) right at your fingertips. And no, you don’t need to be a full-time herbalist or live in the tropics to get started.

If you live in Canadian Growing Zone 5, you're in luck. You can grow a whole apothecary’s worth of medicinal plants right in your backyard or even on a sunny balcony. From calming teas to soothing salves, these plants aren’t just pretty—they’re practical, time-tested, and sometimes downright magical.

Here are 20 medicinal plants you can grow in your own garden, with tips on what they’re good for and how to keep them thriving.

1. Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla)

Why Grow It: Classic calming tea for sleep and anxiety. Also helps with digestion.

Growing Tips: Prefers full sun and well-drained soil. Harvest the flowers for tea once fully open.

2. Echinacea (Echinacea purpurea)

Why Grow It: Immune booster and cold-fighter. Plus, pollinators love it.

Growing Tips: Drought-tolerant and thrives in full sun. Deadhead for continuous blooms.

 

3. Calendula (Calendula officinalis)

Why Grow It: Skin healing superstar—great for rashes, cuts, and scrapes.

Growing Tips: Easy annual that reseeds itself. Grow in full sun with moderate watering.

 

4. Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)

Why Grow It: Stress relief, insomnia help, and anti-inflammatory properties.

Growing Tips: Loves full sun and sandy, well-drained soil. Prune after blooming to keep bushy. 

5. Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis)

Why Grow It: Calms the nervous system, helps with cold sores and anxiety.

Growing Tips: Mint family member, so it spreads—contain it in pots or raised beds.

 

6. Peppermint (Mentha × piperita)

Why Grow It: Soothes digestion, relieves headaches, and opens sinuses.

Growing Tips: Another minty creeper—grow in containers unless you want a peppermint jungle.

 

7. Yarrow (Achillea millefolium)

Why Grow It: Stops bleeding, reduces fevers, and supports wound healing.

Growing Tips: Drought-tolerant, grows in poor soil, and spreads by rhizomes—give it space or keep it trimmed.

8. Holy Basil (Ocimum sanctum or Tulsi)

Why Grow It: Adaptogenic herb known for reducing stress and boosting immunity.

Growing Tips: Treat it like other basil—full sun, regular watering, and don’t let it flower too early.

 

9. Thyme (Thymus vulgaris)

Why Grow It: Antibacterial, antifungal, and great for coughs.

Growing Tips: Low-growing perennial in Zone 5 if mulched. Loves full sun and well-drained soil.

 

10. Sage (Salvia officinalis)

Why Grow It: Soothes sore throats and helps with digestion and memory.

Growing Tips: Needs full sun and good air circulation. Can be overwintered with protection in Zone 5.

11. St. John’s Wort (Hypericum perforatum)

Why Grow It: Natural mood lifter, traditionally used for mild depression.

Growing Tips: Hardy perennial that enjoys full sun and can spread easily. Use caution with medications.

 

12. Comfrey (Symphytum officinale)

Why Grow It: Heals wounds, bruises, and sprains (for external use only!).

Growing Tips: Deep-rooted and fast-growing. Give it a dedicated spot—it’s hard to move once established.

 

13. Valerian (Valeriana officinalis)

Why Grow It: Sleep aid and calming herb.

Growing Tips: Prefers rich soil and part sun. Harvest the roots in fall of the second year.

14. Marshmallow (Althaea officinalis)

Why Grow It: Soothes sore throats, coughs, and digestive issues.

Growing Tips: Likes moist, well-drained soil and full sun. Tall and elegant, like hibiscus’ herbal cousin.

 

15. Hyssop (Hyssopus officinalis)

Why Grow It: Respiratory aid and immune booster. Also, a bee magnet.

Growing Tips: Full sun and well-drained soil. Prune for bushiness and blooms.

 

16. Feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium)

Why Grow It: Used for migraines and inflammation.

Growing Tips: Perennial in Zone 5 with mulch. Prefers sun to part shade. Deadhead to avoid excessive self-seeding.

17. Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale)

Why Grow It: Liver tonic, diuretic, and general body cleanser. Yes, the “weed” is a powerhouse.

Growing Tips: You probably don’t have to try hard to grow this one—just let it be! Harvest roots and leaves before it flowers for best potency.

 

18. Plantain (Plantago major)

Why Grow It: Soothes bug bites, cuts, and scrapes. A natural drawing agent for splinters and stings.

Growing Tips: It often shows up uninvited. Just embrace it—harvest leaves when young and tender.

 

19. Catnip (Nepeta cataria)

Why Grow It: Calming herb for humans (and party drug for cats). Helps with sleep and anxiety.

Growing Tips: Easy to grow from seed. Full sun and decent soil. Cut back after first bloom to extend harvest.

 

20. Bee Balm (Monarda didyma)

Why Grow It: Antiseptic, antifungal, and great in a tea for cold and flu.

Growing Tips: Full sun to part shade. Spreads like mint—give it room or rein it in.

How to Use These Medicinal Plants

You’ve got the goods—now what? Here are a few simple ways to put these plants to work:

• Teas and infusions: Great for herbs like chamomile, lemon balm, peppermint, and holy basil.
• Salves and balms: Use calendula, comfrey, and plantain to soothe skin woes.
• Tinctures: Alcohol-based extracts of plants like echinacea, valerian, and yarrow.
• Poultices and compresses: Perfect for fresh leaves of plantain or comfrey, applied directly to the skin.
• Steam inhalations: Thyme and hyssop are your go-to for clearing sinuses.

 

Garden Design Tips for Medicinal Plant Lovers

• Start small: Choose 5–6 versatile herbs you’ll actually use.
• Go raised or container-based: Especially for aggressive spreaders like mint and lemon balm.
• Mix it up: Blend medicinal plants with your ornamentals—lavender and echinacea fit right in with flower beds.
• Label your plants: Trust us—you won’t remember which green thing is valerian three months from now.

 

Final Thought: Grow Your Own Pharmacy

You don’t have to ditch modern medicine, but adding some tried-and-true herbal allies to your garden gives you a handy, natural first-aid kit. Plus, let’s be real—walking out to your backyard to pick your own tea is infinitely more satisfying than rummaging through your medicine drawer.

So there you have it, whether you’re building a wellness garden, a backyard apothecary, or just want some plants that do more than look pretty, these 20 medicinal plants are hardy, helpful, and happy to grow in Zone 5.

 

Want more zone-specific gardening tips?

Come visit us at Georgina Garden Centre, where we don’t just sell plants—we help you grow the good stuff (with no fluff). Follow us on Instagram and Facebook, check out our Garden Girl videos on YouTube, or drop in for expert advice and maybe a terrible dad joke on our road sign.

Your garden’s not just a space—it’s your sanctuary. Let’s make it healing, too.

Happy gardening!