The Ultimate Guide to OSRS Herb Farm Runs: Maximize Profit and XP
Old School RuneScape (OSRS) herb farm runs are a fantastic way to earn gold and gain Farming experience with minimal effort. Whether you’re a seasoned player or a beginner looking to boost your account, herb runs offer a low-time-investment method that can yield impressive profits—up to 300k-400k GP per run at higher levels. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about OSRS herb farm runs, from preparation to execution, including the best patches, seeds, and strategies to optimize your runs. Let’s dive into the world of herb farming and turn your green thumb into a gold mine!
Herb farm runs, often simply called “herb runs,” involve visiting multiple herb patches across Gielinor to plant, grow, and harvest herbs. These runs are a cornerstone of passive Farming training in OSRS because herbs take just 80 minutes to grow, allowing you to complete multiple runs daily with little active playtime. A typical run takes 5-10 minutes, making it an efficient activity for busy players.
Why Herb Runs Are Worth Your Time
Herb runs stand out for their dual benefits: profit and experience. Here’s why they’re a must-do:
- High Profit Potential: Herbs like Ranarr and Snapdragon can net you significant GP per run.
- Farming XP: Each run provides a decent chunk of Farming experience, helping you level up passively.
- Low Time Commitment: Spend just a few minutes every 80 minutes or once daily for big rewards.
- Ironman Friendly: Herbs are crucial for Herblore, making runs essential for self-sufficient accounts.
How Herb Runs Work
Herbs grow in 80-minute cycles (four 20-minute stages), and your yield depends on factors like your Farming level, compost type, and boosts like Magic Secateurs. You’ll plant seeds, wait for them to grow (even offline), then return to harvest. The goal is to hit as many patches as possible in one go, maximizing efficiency.
Preparing for Your OSRS Herb Farm Run
Success in herb runs starts with preparation. Having the right gear, teleports, and unlocks ensures smooth and profitable runs. Let’s break it down.
Essential Items for Herb Runs
You’ll need a few key items to make your runs efficient. Here’s your checklist:
- Herb Seeds: Choose seeds based on your Farming level and profit goals (more on this later).
- Ultracompost: Boosts yield and reduces disease risk—store it in a Bottomless Compost Bucket for convenience.
- Magic Secateurs: Increases yield by 10% (requires Fairytale I – Growing Pains).
- Seed Dibber, Spade, Rake: Basic tools for planting and harvesting (store with Tool Leprechauns).
- Teleports: Fast travel to patches (e.g., Ectophial, Skills Necklace, Xeric’s Talisman).
- Graceful Outfit (Optional): Reduces run energy depletion.
Recommended Unlocks and Quests
Certain quests and achievements unlock patches or improve efficiency:
- Priest in Peril: Access to Morytania patch.
- Ghosts Ahoy: Ectophial for quick Morytania teleport.
- My Arm’s Big Adventure: Troll Stronghold disease-free patch.
- Making Friends with My Arm: Weiss patch and Stony Basalt teleport.
- Children of the Sun: Varlamore patch access.
- Easy Kourend & Kebos Diary: Hosidius disease-free patch.
Best Herb Patches for Your Run
OSRS has 10 herb patches (9 standard + 1 with Elite Morytania Diary), but availability depends on your progress. Here’s a rundown of the best patches and how to reach them.
Patch Locations and Teleport Methods
| Patch Location | Teleport Method | Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Falador | Explorer’s Ring 2+ or Amulet of Glory (Draynor) | Medium Lumbridge Diary (optional) |
| Catherby | Camelot Teleport or Lunar Spellbook | None |
| Ardougne | Ardougne Cloak 2+ or Skills Necklace (Fishing Guild) | Medium Ardougne Diary (optional) |
| Morytania (Port Phasmatys) | Ectophial | Priest in Peril, Ghosts Ahoy |
| Troll Stronghold | Stony Basalt or Trollheim Teleport | My Arm’s Big Adventure |
| Weiss | Icy Basalt | Making Friends with My Arm |
| Hosidius | Xeric’s Talisman (Glade) or Tithe Farm Teleport | Easy Kourend Diary (disease-free) |
| Farming Guild | Skills Necklace | Level 65 Farming |
| Varlamore (Civitas illa Fortis) | Quetzal Whistle or Fairy Ring (AJP) | Children of the Sun, 16,000 Glory (disease-free) |
| Harmony Island | Harmony Island Teleport Tablet | Elite Morytania Diary |
Disease-Free Patches: Why They Matter
Four patches—Troll Stronghold, Weiss, Hosidius, and Varlamore (with 16,000 Glory)—are disease-free with the right unlocks. These patches guarantee higher yields since you won’t lose plants to disease, making them priority targets for high-value seeds.
Choosing the Best Herbs to Plant
The herbs you plant determine your profit and XP gains. Prices fluctuate, so check the Grand Exchange or use the OSRS Wiki’s Herb Farming Calculator before buying seeds.
Top Herbs for Profit
- Ranarr Weed (Level 32): High demand for Prayer Potions; often the most profitable.
- Snapdragon (Level 62): Used in Super Restores; great mid-to-high-level option.
- Toadflax (Level 38): Solid profit for Saradomin Brews; good for mid-levels.
- Torstol (Level 85): High XP and profit, but expensive seeds.
Herb Yield Boosters
Maximize your harvest with these boosts:
- Ultracompost: Minimum 6 herbs per patch vs. 3 without compost.
- Magic Secateurs: 10% yield increase when equipped.
- Farming Cape: 5% chance to save harvest lives (Level 99).
- Kandarin Hard Diary: 10% yield boost at Catherby.
- Attas Seeds: 5% yield boost when planted in Farming Guild anima patch.
Step-by-Step Guide to Running Your Herb Farm
Ready to start? Here’s a step-by-step process for an efficient herb run using all accessible patches.
Sample Herb Run Route
- Falador: Teleport with Explorer’s Ring, plant/harvest, note herbs with Leprechaun.
- Catherby: Camelot Teleport, run east, repeat process.
- Ardougne: Ardougne Cloak to monastery, run north to patch.
- Morytania: Ectophial, run west to patch.
- Farming Guild: Skills Necklace, head to west wing.
- Troll Stronghold: Stony Basalt, climb to patch.
- Weiss: Icy Basalt, harvest nearby patch.
- Hosidius: Xeric’s Talisman to Glade, run to patch.
- Varlamore: Quetzal Whistle, head to patch (if unlocked).
- Harmony Island: Teleport tablet, run south (Elite Diary only).
Tips for Efficiency
- Pre-Stock Teleports: Keep your inventory ready to minimize banking time.
- Use RuneLite: The “Time Tracking” plugin notifies you when herbs are ready.
- Log Out at a Patch: Start your next run instantly by logging out at Troll Stronghold or another patch.
- Combine with Other Runs: Pair herb runs with allotment or flower runs for extra XP.
Profit and XP Expectations
With 9 patches, Ultracompost, and Magic Secateurs, expect 6-10 herbs per patch. At 99 Farming with Ranarr seeds (around 7k each) and herbs (8k each), you could earn 300k-400k profit per run, plus 1,000-1,500 Farming XP. Results vary by level and market prices.
Mastering OSRS herb farm runs can transform your gameplay, offering a steady income stream and a path to 99 Farming. Start small with accessible patches, then expand as you unlock more. Happy farming, and may your harvests be bountiful!