Why Grow Your Own Skincare Herbs and Flowers?

Well, there's something deeply satisfying about growing your own skincare botanicals. Whether you're making balms, oils, salves, toners, or bath soaks, having a ready supply of fresh and dried herbs that you've grown means you know your ingredients are the purest and most potent where it allows you to connect with the healing power of the plant.

Growing your own botanicals gives you complete control over how your ingredients are grown, harvested, and dried. You can be sure they are free from pesticides, picked at the peak of freshness, and handled with care. Plus, many skincare herbs are easy to grow—even if you’re short on space or new to gardening.

Hero Botanicals for Skincare

Here are our top picks for homegrown botanicals that offer proven skincare benefits, are easy to grow, and versatile in use:

Calendula (Calendula officinalis)

Soothing, healing, and anti-inflammatory

One of the most popular skincare herbs, calendula is perfect for sensitive or inflamed skin. It’s known for helping with minor wounds, dryness, eczema, and even acne.

How to grow: Easy from seed,either direct sow or start in seed raising. Calendula prefers full sun and well-drained soil. Deadhead often to keep the blooms coming. Calendula can also be grown in the winter in some areas (mild to moderate frosts). 

Use in skincare:

•  Infused oil for balms and salves
•  Soothing bath soaks
•  Calendula cream for dry skin or diaper rash

 

Lavender (Lavandula spp.)

Calming, antimicrobial, and fragrant

Lavender is a skincare staple, especially in products designed to relax, cleanse, and heal. Its scent alone brings a spa-like vibe to any recipe.

How to grow: Prefers full sun, well-drained soil, and minimal watering. Suitable for pots or garden beds.

Use in skincare: 

• Lavender hydrosol or toner
• Infused oil for calming body oils
• Added to bath salts and sleep balms
• Lavender soap made from a laventer decoction for a gentle sweet lavender aroma

Plantain (Plantago major / P. lanceolata)

Wound healing, drawing, and anti-itch

Often overlooked, this humble "weed" is incredibly useful. It’s a traditional remedy for bites, stings, and minor wounds.

How to grow: Common in lawns and wild areas, plantain thrives in poor soils and can be easily foraged or sown.

Use in skincare:

• Infused into salves for cuts and stings
• Combined with calendula in healing balms
• Used fresh as a poultice for bug bites

Kawakawa (Macropiper excelsum)

Traditional New Zealand plant for skin healing

Kawakawa is native to New Zealand and widely used in balms and oils for eczema, inflammation, and general skin repair. Yes, this is an international audience but I'm a Kiwi and Kawakawa is a staple in every skincare ingrediient list.

How to grow: Likes full shade and regular watering. Can be grown in pots in cooler climates to avoid frosts.

Use in skincare:

• Infused kawakawa oil for salves and soap
• Balms for eczema and sensitive skin
• Oil blended with beeswax or shea butter for rich moisturisers

Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla / Chamaemelum nobile)

Gentle, calming, and anti-inflammatory

 Chamomile is excellent for calming both the skin and the senses. It’s gentle enough for children and those with sensitive skin.

 How to grow: Prefers sun, moderate watering, and can thrive in containers.

Use in skincare: 

• Chamomile steam for facial cleansing
• Infused oil for baby balm or massage oil
• Soothing eye compresses

Mint (Mentha spp.)

Cooling, refreshing, and clarifying

 Mint helps to balance oily skin and adds a cooling sensation in scrubs and masks. Use with care—it's potent!

 How to grow: Very easy. Best in pots to prevent spreading.

Use in skincare: 

• Facial steam for clogged pores
• Cooling foot soaks or scrubs
• Mint-infused witch hazel toner

Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale)

Detoxifying and brightening 

Often seen as a weed, dandelion is a hidden skincare hero. The petals, leaves, and roots all offer benefits.

 How to grow: Grows nearly everywhere, but for clean harvests, grow in pesticide-free soil.

Use in skincare: 

• Dandelion root-infused oil for detox balms
• Flower-infused vinegar toner
• Leaf extract in face masks

Others Worth Mentioning

Yarrow – for wound healing and balancing oils

Lemon balm – calming and soothing, especially for lips

Borage – high in GLA, great in oils for dry and mature skin

Comfrey – supports cell regeneration (use with care and avoid broken skin)

Rose

Hydrating, toning, and luxurious

Roses are a little harder to grow and care for but they are one of my favorites for use in skincare and the petals are one of our best sellers to other creators, Rose petals and rosewater are both classic skincare ingredients. They hydrate, tone, and uplift the skin and spirit. 

How to grow: Roses need sunlight, rich soil, and annual pruning.

Use in skincare:

• Rosewater toner
• Rose petal-infused oil
• Gentle facial masks or scrubs

How to Use Your Botanicals 

Once you’ve harvested and dried your herbs and flowers (see our 3 easy ways to dry your herbs and flower heads), there are many ways to use them:

Infused Oils

Perfect as the base for balms, salves, and botanical body oils. Use a gentle and inexpensive oil like almond oil for infusions and combine with a range of other oils, such as baobab oil and jojoba oil in the finished product. 

Balms and Salves

Combine infused oils with beeswax and essential oils for DIY healing or moisturising balms.

Herbal Steam or Facial

Great for deep pore cleansing and relaxation. Use petals and herbs in a bowl of hot water and steam your face for 10–15 minutes.

Bath Soaks

Add dried petals, salts, and essential oils to muslin bags or jars for relaxing bath blends.

Hydrosols and Toners

Create gentle, alcohol-free skin sprays by distilling herbs or infusing them in witch hazel.

A Few Tips for Beginners

Harvest at the right time – usually in the morning, after dew has dried but before the sun is too hot.

Dry herbs carefully – You can hang, seperate onto trays or use a dehydrator, make sure the drying space is well ventilated.

Store properly – keep dried herbs in airtight containers away from heat and light. Regularly check for bugs.

Patch test new recipes – always try new skincare products on a small area first.

What Now

Grow what you love, harvest with care, and let the plants work their magic.

Creating a botanical skincare garden can bring so much joy.  Even a few pots of calendula, lavender, or Chamomile can transform your skincare routine. Once you’ve started making your own oils and balms, you’ll never look at a jar of cream the same way again.