Full Sun

• Full sun herbs are best planted in bright, sunny areas where they will receive at least six to eight hours of sunlight each day. In hot climates, however, the plants may struggle with too much afternoon sun, so it helps to protect them from burning with shade cloth or by planting in an area that is shaded during the hottest part of the day. You can tell if too much heat is a problem if your plants wilt by the middle of the day, have scorched, brown patches on the leaves or have very pale-looking leaves. Sweet Basil, "Ocimum basilicum," is a sun-loving herb that is popular both for its flavorful properties and attractive appearance.
  
  

Shade

• Conversely, certain herbs grow best if they receive a limited amount of sun. While shade-loving herbs need some sun, it is not nearly as much as the sun-loving varieties. In fact, too much sun can kill these plants. For such plants, sunlight that is filtered through the leaves of trees or other large plants is ideal. Wild ginger, "Asarum canadense," is a perennial that can grow in full shade, living under trees and growing into a thick, weed-suppressing ground cover.
  
  

Wet Soil

• Some herbs do best if they are in soil that is damp all of the time. The dirt should feel slightly moist to the touch. At the same time, the soil should be well drained and not soggy, so that the herbs don't succumb to root rot, fungus or other conditions related to waterlogged roots. Peppermint "Mentha piperita" is one of the best-known water-loving perennials. This plant not only needs damp soil, it also requires a great deal of shade and will not do well in full sun.
  
  

Dry Soil

• Most herbs prefer to grow in well-drained soil, but many still need quite a bit of moisture in order to do well. Some herbs, however, including those from the area around the Mediterranean, do best if the soil they are in is allowed to get a bit dry in between waterings. This allows the natural oils in the plants to build up, greatly enhancing the flavor of these herbs. Thyme "Thymus vulgaris" and oregano "Origanum vulgare" are two commonly used herbs that prefer the soil to be fairly dry in order to grow well.