• Chives, an herb that grows well in Southeast Texas.Steven Errico/Photodisc/Getty Images
  
  Southeast Texas lies in the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Hardiness Zone 9. The average rainfall exceeds 50 inches per year and winter temperatures occasionally dip below freezing. Because it is located near the Gulf Coast, the summers are muggy, making mildew and fungal diseases problems for some herbs, such as lavender, that require well-drained soil and dry air. However, there are many herbs that are well-suited to being grown in Southeast Texas.
  
  

Mint

• Mint (Mentha spicata) thrives in damp rich soil and partial shade. The numerous shade trees and damp climate of Southeast Texas create the perfect environment for mint. The leaves of mint are used in baking, as well as flavoring teas and beverages. It is known for its ability to spread aggressively throughout a garden. Planting mint in a container keeps it under control.
  
  

Cilantro

• Cilantro (Coriandrum sativum) is a cool-weather annual herb that can grow up to 24 inches tall at maturity. Cilantro seed germinates when the soil is cool in December and January. The foliage and seed is used as a spice in Southwestern-style dishes. Cilantro's flowers attract beneficial insects to the garden in the spring.
  
  

Sweet Basil

• Sweet basil (Ocimum basilicum) is a warm-season annual that can grow up to 24 inches high. The seed does not germinate until the soil warms in the spring. Sweet basil grows rapidly in Southeast Texas' gardens. The leaves and flowers are eaten fresh in salads or sprinkled over Italian dishes.
  
  

Lemon Grass

• Lemon grass (Cymbopogon ciatrus) is a perennial herb that grows up to 48 inches tall in Southeast Texas. The bulbous ends of the root sections are chopped and used in Asian and Indian cuisine. The leaves are used to make tea. It dies back slightly in cooler weather, but thrives in the long growing season and moist soil of Southeast Texas. It can be divided in winter.
  
  

Chives

• Garlic chives and onion chives (Allium schoenoprasum) multiply readily in Southeast Texas gardens. The dark green aromatic foliage is gathered and chopped to add flavor to meat, vegetable dishes, salads and soups. Chives are low maintenance once established, and can grow in average garden soil.
  
  

Rosemary

• Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) is a shrubby evergreen herb suitable for planting in Southeast Texas. The fragrant leaves are used in cooking meat, stews and seafood. In Southeast Texas, grow an upright variety such as "Arp" to prevent the fungal problems that affect the ground-hugging or prostrate varieties of the herb.
  
  

Dill

• The foliage, stems and seeds of dill (Anethum graveolens) are eaten fresh or used as a flavoring for pickles, stews, meats and vegetable dishes. Dill is a cool-season annual, so it should be planted in early spring or late winter in Southeast Texas. It reseeds freely in the garden, but does not sprout again until the soil cools the following winter.