Imagine this: a peaceful garden, a warm breeze, and the quiet satisfaction of cultivating herbs—without ever needing to water a single plant. That’s Herbaceous in a nutshell and the kind of gardening I’m good at! Herbaceous is serene, it’s charming, and it’s all about potting the best collection of herbs before your friends do. But don’t let the calm vibes fool you—this game has just enough pressure to keep you on your toes. You’ll need quick reflexes to pot your plants before someone else swoops in and grabs the best herbs.
It was early 2021, and I was wandering around Just Games Rochester for the first time when Herbaceous caught my eye. Something about that simple, clean box design just pulled me in. The game is designed by Eduardo Baraf and Steve Finn, and it is published by Pencil First Game. Herbaceous seemed like the perfect mix of beauty and ease. My wife and I played it, and we were so hooked that we went back to the store and bought every other Pencil First game they had (but that’s a story for another review).
Fast forward to now, and I’ve somehow bought this game three times. Yes, three. The first copy? Gone—my mother-in-law took it. The second? My mom, who doesn’t speak English but tolerates my board game obsession, "borrowed" it after a visit and never gave it back. But now I’ve got my third copy, and I don’t care who’s Mom is visiting, this one’s off-limits.
Oh, and did I mention there’s a pocket-sized edition? Absolute game-changer. It’s the same fast, crunchy experience packed into a smaller box. I took it with me on vacation, and let me tell you, it plays perfectly on bar tables, floors—anywhere, really. The cards are smaller, and the portable box fits in my Osprey bag, Sling Bag, and in my oversize sweats pocket. The catch? The small box keeps all the stunning art and the quality components that make the full-size version a favorite.
Objective
In this charming game, the goal is simple—score the most points by potting herbs. But like all good gardeners know, timing and strategy are everything. Will you hold off and wait for the perfect moment, or snatch up what you can before your opponents out-pot you?
Components
63 Herb Cards (7 varieties x9)
9 Special Herb Cards (3 types x3)
4 Quick Reference Cards (because even the best gardeners need a cheat sheet)
4 Garden Markers (so no one forgets where their turf ends and begins)
16 Container Cards (4 types per player color)
1 Herb Biscuit Card (because who doesn’t want a tasty bonus?)
Game Setup
Setting up Herbaceous is as effortless as plucking fresh basil. Here’s how it’s done:
Everyone grabs their four Container Cards.
Shuffle all the Herb and Special Herb Cards together like a well-mixed compost heap.
Remove cards based on the player count to keep things balanced.
Get that Herb Biscuit ready—because trust me, you’ll want it, but good luck grabbing it!
Gameplay
Turns move clockwise, and the first player is determined by who was last in contact with herbs. (Cooking counts, but so does sniffing rosemary at the grocery store. It’s up to you how strict you want to be!)
Step 1: Pot Herbs (Optional)
Got a perfect lineup of herbs ready? Great! Use one of your Container Cards to pot them. But remember, each container has its own demands—whether you're filling the Large Pot with identical herbs or the Wooden Planter with a variety. The special herbs only go in the Glass Jar, so save your prized mint for that!
Step 2: Plant (Mandatory)
You’ll draw two cards and face the real challenge—where to plant them. One goes in your Private Garden (safe from prying eyes), and one in the Community Garden (ripe for the picking by everyone). Will you hold back a valuable herb or put it out there hoping no one grabs it first?
Scoring
After all the herbs have been potted, it’s time to score. Each Container Card nets you points based on its requirements, and any unpotted herbs sadly go to waste. But let’s not forget the mighty Herb Biscuit—an extra 5 points for whoever pots the most diverse selection! The biscuit is tricky, especially when playing with 2 or 3 players because you never know what cards were removed and that can change everything on your planning stages
Pros
Plays in about 20-30 minutes and doesn’t feel like a brain burner—unless you want it to be
Beth Sobel’s illustrations bring the herbs to life, making the game as much a visual treat as it is a strategic one
The rules are simple enough to explain in minutes, but there’s still plenty of room to strategize—ideal for both casual gamers and more seasoned players
Pocket-Sized Edition: The smaller version is a portable marvel. You can toss it in a bag and play anywhere without sacrificing any of the gameplay or visual appeal
Whether you’re playing solo, with a partner, or with three or four players, Herbaceous shines at every count
Language independent!
Cons
If you’re someone who gets frustrated by randomness, the card draw can feel a bit too swingy at times
The shared garden can get pretty cutthroat if you’re playing with competitive types
Key Features
Simple, Elegant Gameplay: Pot herbs, plant herbs, and balance between your Private Garden and the Community Garden. The decision-making is quick, but it’s never too easy
Beautiful Artwork: The herb illustrations are drop-dead gorgeous. Beth Sobel knocked it out of the park, making each herb card feel like a tiny masterpiece
Variety of Containers: Each container you use to pot your herbs has different requirements, which forces you to adapt your strategy each time you play
Herb Biscuit Bonus: A 5-point bonus card that adds a fun little race element to the game. It’s the herb? on top!
Portable and Compact: The regular game is small, but the Pocket Edition fits anywhere, travels well, and still delivers the same satisfying gameplay in a much smaller footprint
Final Thoughts
Herbaceous offers a delightful balance of calm and competition. With a playtime of about 20 minutes, it’s easy to sneak in a game or two on a weeknight, and the beautiful cards will keep you coming back for more. Whether you’re into casual gardening or cutthroat herb-hoarding, Herbaceous brings just the right amount of depth to make it a standout in any collection.
So next time you're in the mood for something light, think of Herbaceous. It’s as refreshing as a mint sprig in lemonade and just as satisfying.
Comments