Best Herb for Money in OSRS: Maximize Your Profits in 2025
Old School RuneScape (OSRS) offers numerous ways to make money, but few methods are as reliable and accessible as herb farming. Whether you’re a new player or a seasoned veteran, growing herbs can provide consistent profits with relatively low effort. But with so many herbs to choose from, which one is the best herb for money in OSRS? In this comprehensive guide, we’ll dive into the top herbs for profit, how to farm them efficiently, and what factors influence their value. By the end, you’ll know exactly which herb to plant to maximize your gold per hour in 2025.
Herb farming stands out in OSRS because it combines passive income with scalability. Once you plant your seeds, herbs take about 80 minutes to grow, leaving you free to pursue other activities. With up to 10 herb patches available across Gielinor (depending on your unlocks), a single run can net you hundreds of thousands of gold. The key lies in choosing the right herb—one that balances seed cost, yield, and market demand.
The Basics of Herb Farming
To start herb farming, you’ll need at least level 9 Farming, though higher levels unlock more profitable herbs. You’ll also need access to herb patches, seeds, and ultracompost to minimize disease and boost yields. Teleports to patches (like the Explorer’s Ring or Ardougne Cloak) and tools like magic secateurs further optimize your runs.
Why Profit Matters More Than XP
While Farming XP is a nice bonus, most players farm herbs for gold. Herbs like Ranarr weed and Snapdragon are in high demand due to their use in popular potions, making them prime candidates for profit-focused runs. Let’s explore the top contenders.
Top Herbs for Money in OSRS: A Detailed Breakdown
Not all herbs are created equal when it comes to profit. Below, we’ll analyze the best herbs based on current market trends, farming requirements, and profitability as of April 2025.
Ranarr Weed: The Gold Standard
Ranarr weed is widely regarded as the best herb for money in OSRS, especially for players with access to disease-free patches. At level 32 Farming, you can plant Ranarr seeds, which yield herbs used in Prayer Potions—a staple for PvM and bossing.
- Seed Cost: ~25,000-30,000 GP
- Herb Value: ~5,000-6,000 GP each
- Average Yield: 6-9 herbs per patch with ultracompost
- Profit per Patch: ~20,000-40,000 GP
Ranarrs shine in disease-free patches (e.g., Troll Stronghold or Hosidius) where survival rates are guaranteed, pushing profits higher. With 10 patches, a single run can yield 200,000-400,000 GP.
Toadflax: The Budget-Friendly Option
For lower-level farmers or those on a budget, Toadflax (level 38 Farming) offers solid returns with cheaper seeds. It’s used in Saradomin Brews, ensuring steady demand.
- Seed Cost: ~2,000-3,000 GP
- Herb Value: ~3,000-4,000 GP each
- Average Yield: 6-8 herbs per patch
- Profit per Patch: ~15,000-25,000 GP
Toadflax is less risky due to its low seed cost, making it ideal for players without diary boosts or disease-free patches.
Snapdragon: High Risk, High Reward
Snapdragon (level 62 Farming) caters to advanced farmers willing to invest more upfront. Its herbs are crucial for Super Restore potions, a high-demand item.
- Seed Cost: ~40,000-50,000 GP
- Herb Value: ~8,000-10,000 GP each
- Average Yield: 6-9 herbs per patch
- Profit per Patch: ~20,000-50,000 GP
Snapdragon’s high seed cost is offset by its herb value, but it’s most profitable with boosts like magic secateurs and the Kandarin Diary.
Torstol: The Endgame Herb
Torstol (level 85 Farming) is the pinnacle of herb farming, offering top-tier XP and decent profit. It’s used in Super Combat Potions and Zamorak Brews.
- Seed Cost: ~5,000-7,000 GP
- Herb Value: ~3,000-4,000 GP each
- Average Yield: 6-10 herbs per patch
- Profit per Patch: ~15,000-35,000 GP
Torstol’s lower herb price compared to Snapdragon or Ranarr makes it less profitable per run, but its accessibility at high levels keeps it relevant.
Comparing Profitability: Which Herb Wins?
To determine the best herb for money, let’s compare their profitability per run assuming 10 patches, ultracompost, and magic secateurs. Prices are approximate and based on April 2025 Grand Exchange trends.
| Herb | Farming Level | Seed Cost (10) | Avg. Herbs (10 patches) | Total Revenue | Profit per Run |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ranarr Weed | 32 | 300,000 GP | 70 | 420,000 GP | 120,000 GP |
| Toadflax | 38 | 25,000 GP | 70 | 245,000 GP | 220,000 GP |
| Snapdragon | 62 | 450,000 GP | 70 | 630,000 GP | 180,000 GP |
| Torstol | 85 | 60,000 GP | 80 | 280,000 GP | 220,000 GP |
The Verdict: Ranarr Weed vs. Toadflax
Ranarr weed takes the crown as the best herb for money in OSRS when you have disease-free patches and diary boosts, offering up to 400,000 GP per run with minimal risk. However, Toadflax is a strong contender for lower-investment players, delivering consistent profits with cheaper seeds. Snapdragon and Torstol are situational—great for high-level farmers but less reliable due to market fluctuations.
How to Optimize Your Herb Runs for Maximum Profit
Choosing the best herb is only half the battle. To truly maximize your profits, you need an efficient farming setup and routine. Here’s how:
Unlock All Herb Patches
There are 10 herb patches in OSRS, but some require quests or diaries:
- Catherby: No requirements
- Falador: No requirements
- Ardougne: No requirements
- Morytania: Priest in Peril quest
- Troll Stronghold: My Arm’s Big Adventure quest (disease-free)
- Weiss: Making Friends with My Arm quest (disease-free)
- Hosidius: Easy Kourend Diary (disease-free)
- Farming Guild: 65 Farming
- Harmony Island: Elite Morytania Diary
- Fortis: 16,000 Glory
Prioritize unlocking Troll Stronghold, Weiss, and Hosidius for guaranteed yields.
Use Essential Boosts
Boosts can significantly increase your herb yield and profit:
- Ultracompost: Reduces disease chance to ~3% and guarantees 6+ herbs
- Magic Secateurs: 10% yield boost (Fairy Tale I quest)
- Kandarin Diary: Up to 15% extra yield
- Iasor Seed: 80% disease reduction (Farming Guild)
Efficient Run Order
A streamlined route saves time. Try this order using teleports:
- Falador (Explorer’s Ring)
- Catherby (Camelot Teleport)
- Ardougne (Ardougne Cloak)
- Morytania (Ectophial)
- Troll Stronghold (Stony Basalt)
- Weiss (Icy Basalt)
- Hosidius (Xeric’s Talisman)
- Farming Guild (Skills Necklace)
- Harmony Island (Harmony Teleport)
- Fortis (Fortis Teleport)
Total time: ~6-8 minutes per run.
Factors Affecting Herb Profitability in 2025
Herb prices aren’t static—they fluctuate based on game updates, player demand, and supply. Here’s what to watch:
Market Demand and Potion Usage
Herbs tied to essential potions (e.g., Prayer Potions, Super Restores) maintain higher prices. Ranarr weed’s dominance stems from its role in PvM, while Toadflax benefits from Saradomin Brew usage in PvP.
Seed Supply and Farming Trends
Seed prices rise when fewer players farm herbs or when PvM drops (like Zulrah’s Snapdragon seeds) dry up. Monitor the Grand Exchange regularly to adjust your strategy.
Game Updates
Patches like Varlamore or new bosses can shift herb demand. For example, the 2024 Herblore minigame increased herb processing rates, stabilizing some prices. Stay updated via OSRS news.
Final Thoughts: Start Farming Today
Herb farming remains one of the best money-making methods in OSRS, blending low time investment with high rewards. Ranarr weed is the top pick for most players due to its profitability and reliability, especially with disease-free patches. For budget-conscious or lower-level players, Toadflax offers a fantastic alternative. Whichever herb you choose, optimize your runs with the right tools and patches to rake in millions of GP over time.
Ready to start? Grab your seeds, ultracompost, and teleports, and turn your Farming skill into a goldmine. Happy farming, and may your patches never die!