The essence of theme gardening is to design a garden area around a specific idea. For a biblical plant garden, the idea is to use only plants that are found in the Bible. Many plants can be included in such a garden. These examples are all hardy plants that can be useful in the household as well.
Medicinal Aloe (Aloe Vera)
Bible Quote: “Nicodemus, who had at first come to Jesus by night, also came, bringing a mixture of myrrh & aloes…”-John 19:39
This evergreen drought-tolerant perennial is a clump forming succulent with a rosette of fleshy leaves with grayish teeth. Flowers are tubular and yellow on three-foot stalks. It grows well in full sun to partial shade in sandy well-drained soil. It is hardy in USDA hardiness zones of 8 through 11. Breaking off a fleshy stem helps burns heal faster, as aloe is a popular additive in many skin-care products.
Coriander (Coriandrum sativum)
Bible Quote: “Now the manna was like coriander seed…” -Numbers 11:7
This plant gives two kitchen herbs in one plant. The leaves are cilantro, a nice parley-like herb. The seeds are coriander, a nice spice for stews and sausages. It grows two to three feet high and one to two feet wide with lacey leaves and white or pink flowers. Seeds are in yellow-brown pods. It grows in full sun to partial shade in nearly any soil. It is hardy in USDA hardiness zones of 9 through 11.
Dill (Anethum graveolens)
Bible Quote: “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint, dill, and cumin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faith…” -Matthew 23:23
This easy-to-grow plant has lacy blue-green leaves, growing three to five feet high. Flowers are yellow and on hollow stems. Dill seed is in a flat pod. It prefers to grow in full sun or partial shade in a well-drained soil. It is hardy in USDA hardiness zones of 3 through 7 for summer growth, zone 8 for spring and fall growth, and zones 9 through 11 for winter growth. Dill weed and dill seed are both used as kitchen spices and seasonings, particularly in salads and salmon.
Garlic (Allium sativum)
Bible Quote: “We remember the fish we used to eat in Egypt… the cucumbers, the melons, the leeks, the onions, & the garlic…” – Numbers 11:5
This perennial grows to one to two feet high, with flat leaves and an underground bulb. This bulb separates into garlic cloves, the same type as you buy in the market. It grows best in full sun but works in partial shade as well. It is grown as an annual, even though it is a perennial. The cloves can be baked or roasted, or chopped as seasoning for many dishes.
Related Content:
Edible Native Wildflowers and Plants
Medicinal Plants That Grow in USDA Zone 9
How to Extend Your Garden Season Throughout Winter
Source: Floridata, the Bible