Best Herbs to Farm in OSRS: Maximize Profit and XP in 2025
Farming herbs in Old School RuneScape (OSRS) is one of the most reliable ways to earn gold and level up your Farming skill. Whether you’re a main account looking to stack coins or an Ironman needing herbs for Herblore, herb farming offers a passive yet rewarding grind. With the right herbs, tools, and patches, you can turn a modest investment into substantial profits. In this guide, we’ll explore the best herbs to farm in OSRS as of April 2025, balancing profitability, experience rates, and accessibility. Let’s dig in!
Herb farming stands out in OSRS for its low time commitment and high returns. Unlike active money-making methods, herbs grow in about 80 minutes, letting you plant seeds, log off, and return to harvest later. The harvested herbs fuel the Herblore skill, creating potions that are always in demand on the Grand Exchange (GE). Plus, with the right boosts, you can increase yields and XP, making it a win-win for skillers and profit-seekers alike.
Profit Potential
Herbs like Ranarr weed and Snapdragon consistently fetch high prices due to their use in Prayer and Super Restore potions. Even lower-tier herbs can turn a profit when farmed efficiently across multiple patches.
XP Gains
Farming herbs offers decent XP per run, especially with high-level seeds like Torstol. Pairing herb runs with other crops like allotments can push your Farming level faster toward 99.
Top Herbs to Farm in OSRS
Choosing the best herbs depends on your Farming level, budget, and goals. Below are the top picks for 2025, based on current GE prices, seed costs, and patch efficiency. Note that prices fluctuate, so always check the GE before investing heavily.
Ranarr Weed: The Gold Standard
- Farming Level: 32
- Seed Cost: ~5,000–7,000 GP
- Herb Price: ~8,000–10,000 GP (grimy)
- XP per Harvest: 30.5
Ranarr weed is the king of herb farming for profit. Used in Prayer potions, it’s a staple for PvM and bossing, keeping demand sky-high. With disease-free patches (like Trollheim or Weiss) and boosts like Ultracompost and Magic Secateurs, you can average 8–10 herbs per patch, netting significant returns.
Snapdragon: High Value, High Level
- Farming Level: 62
- Seed Cost: ~6,000–8,000 GP
- Herb Price: ~9,000–11,000 GP (grimy)
- XP per Harvest: 98.5
Snapdragon shines for players with higher Farming levels. It’s a key ingredient in Super Restore potions, making it a lucrative choice. While seeds are pricier, the herb’s value and XP make it worth the investment, especially with diary boosts like Kandarin Hard (+10% yield).
Toadflax: Mid-Tier Money Maker
- Farming Level: 38
- Seed Cost: ~1,000–2,000 GP
- Herb Price: ~3,000–4,000 GP (grimy)
- XP per Harvest: 80
Toadflax is a budget-friendly option that still delivers solid profits. Used in Saradomin brews, it’s less volatile than Ranarr but offers a great return for its low seed cost. It’s perfect for mid-level farmers building their bank.
Torstol: The XP King
- Farming Level: 85
- Seed Cost: ~8,000–10,000 GP
- Herb Price: ~7,000–9,000 GP (grimy)
- XP per Harvest: 199.5
Torstol is the go-to for maxing Farming XP. While its profit margins are slimmer than Ranarr or Snapdragon, the massive XP per harvest makes it ideal for endgame players chasing 99 or 200M XP. It’s also used in Zamorak brews, ensuring steady demand.
Avantoe: The Balanced Choice
- Farming Level: 50
- Seed Cost: ~2,000–3,000 GP
- Herb Price: ~4,000–5,000 GP (grimy)
- XP per Harvest: 70
Avantoe strikes a balance between cost, profit, and XP. Used in Super Energy potions, it’s a consistent seller and a great pick for players transitioning from mid to high-level farming.
Maximizing Herb Run Efficiency
To get the most out of your herb runs, you need to optimize your setup. Here’s how to boost yields and streamline your routine across OSRS’s 9 herb patches.
Essential Tools and Boosts
These items are must-haves for serious herb farmers:
- Ultracompost: Guarantees a minimum of 6 herbs per patch and reduces disease chance to 1/10.
- Magic Secateurs: Boosts yield by 10% (from Fairy Tale I quest).
- Farming Cape: Adds another 10% yield boost at 99 Farming.
- Bottomless Compost Bucket: Saves time and inventory space.
- Seed Dibber, Spade, Rake: Basic farming tools (store at Tool Leprechauns).
Best Herb Patches
OSRS has 9 herb patches, but some are better than others due to disease immunity or accessibility:
| Patch Location | Requirement | Disease-Free? | Teleport |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trollheim | My Arm’s Big Adventure | Yes | Stony Basalt (POH) |
| Weiss | Making Friends with My Arm + Fire of Nourishment | Yes | Icy Basalt (POH) |
| Hosidius | Easy Kourend Diary | Yes | Xeric’s Talisman |
| Catherby | None | No (Hard Kandarin Diary for +10% yield) | Camelot Teleport |
| Falador | None | No | Explorer’s Ring |
Prioritize disease-free patches to maximize profit, especially for high-value herbs like Ranarr.
Sample Herb Run Route
Here’s a quick route for all 9 patches:
- Catherby: Camelot Teleport → Northeast
- Falador: Explorer’s Ring → South
- Ardougne: Ardougne Cloak 2 → North
- Morytania: Ectophial → West
- Hosidius: Xeric’s Talisman → Southwest
- Trollheim: Stony Basalt → Patch
- Weiss: Icy Basalt → Patch
- Farming Guild: Skills Necklace → West Wing
- Harmony: Mos Le’Harmless Teleport → Patch (optional)
Adjust based on your unlocks and teleport availability.
Profit and XP Breakdown
Here’s a comparison of the top herbs to help you decide. Assumes 8 patches, Ultracompost, Magic Secateurs, and an average of 8 herbs per patch.
| Herb | Seed Cost (8) | Revenue (64 Herbs) | Profit | XP per Run |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ranarr | 48,000 GP | 576,000 GP | 528,000 GP | 1,952 XP |
| Snapdragon | 56,000 GP | 640,000 GP | 584,000 GP | 6,304 XP |
| Toadflax | 12,000 GP | 224,000 GP | 212,000 GP | 5,120 XP |
| Torstol | 72,000 GP | 512,000 GP | 440,000 GP | 12,768 XP |
| Avantoe | 20,000 GP | 288,000 GP | 268,000 GP | 4,480 XP |
Note: Prices are approximate and based on April 2025 trends. Check GE for real-time data.
Tips for Success in Herb Farming
To wrap up, here are some pro tips to elevate your herb farming game in OSRS:
Timing Your Runs
Herbs grow in 80 minutes (4x 20-minute cycles). Plan runs every 1.5–2 hours for maximum efficiency. Use a timer app or in-game clock to stay on track.
Boosting Early Access
Use a Garden Pie (+3 Farming boost) to plant higher-level herbs early. For example, farm Ranarr at 29 instead of 32.
Ironman Considerations
For Ironmen, prioritize Toadflax and Avantoe for Prayer potions and Supercompost materials. Add Snape Grass allotments to your runs for extra utility.
Diary Boosts
Complete the Hard Kandarin Diary (+10% yield at Catherby) and Easy Kourend Diary (disease-free Hosidius patch) to supercharge your runs.
Herb farming in OSRS is a timeless method to build wealth and skills in 2025. Whether you’re chasing GP with Ranarr or XP with Torstol, the right setup and strategy can make every run a success. Grab your seeds, hit those patches, and watch your bank grow!