« Ackadia's Guide to World of Warcraft Herbalism »

Main Herbalism Menu

• Introduction
  
  
• Herb Bags
  
  
• Plant buffs and composite herbs
  
  
• Power Levelling Herbalism - aimed more at high levels players respeccing, but good for all.
  
  
• Herbalist trainers
  
  
• Herb listing, sorted by level
  
  
• Herb listing, sorted alphabetically
  
  
• Gallery: a closer look at the herbs
  
  
• Recommended links
  
  
• Laymans horticultural guide to WoW herbs for the:
  
  
• … Apprentice (1 to 75)
  
  
• … Journeyman (75 to 150)
  
  
• … Expert (150 to 225)
  
  
• … Artisan (225 to 300)
  
  
• … Master (300 to 375)
  
  
• … Grandmaster (375 to 450)
  
  

Herbalism Introduction

What is Herbalism, who should choose it, and why?

Herbalism is one of the games primary gathering professions, the other two being skinning and mining. All are profitable in their own way, though it can be argued that this is the most lucrative. For instance, even low level herbs can fetch 5g, 10g, 20g a stack while a single Black or Fel Lotus can easily sell for 30g 40g or commonly even 50g. That's 1,000g a stack, and yes, I have sold many stacks for that much. I expect it will actually be a LOT more lucrative with the introduction of Inscriptions in Wrath of the Lich King. It will be interesting to see what Frost Lotus fetch in Auction House, when it's available - I'm hedging a bet at 80g to 120g each for several months, possibly much more, depending on the drop rate.

The complimentary professions are, of course, Alchemy and, soon, Inscriptions. That said, gathering professions are actually a poor idea on a main character. If you want to maximise your defense and damage in instances and raids, stopping to pick flowers isn't the best way to go about it, eh. For example, in Wrath, with the next changes and additions ahead, it seems the most lethal combination is likely to be a Shaman - with leatherworking and engineering. I'm biased but I'd say a Fire Mage or Affliction Warlock with tailoring and engineering will be able to do insane amounts of damage.

At high levels your gatherer will need to be fairly well geared as it invariably pulls aggro, but not necessarily in the league of 1,200 to 2,000 spell bonus damage from a epically geared level 70 or 80 raid caster. That said, it does speed up the gathering process like that! Generally, once you reach a certain level in the game, usually after a few thousands hours of play, you realise you really need one or two characters who's sole purpose is to flying around as fast as possible farming herbs, ore and/or skins for personal consumption and for selling in AH to buy better gear.

The market for herbs is quite wide. Most will obviously go into alchemical potions and Inscriptions will suck up countless more hectares of plant-life, sending prices rocketing. On top of these, Rogues tend to need a steady supply of Swiftthistle for Thistle Tea, while enchanters need to keep a stock of Nightmare Vine and Netherbloom for enchanted oils. Though in far smaller amounts, most other professions need some herbs for various creations.

Did I mention Wrath will create a need for more herbs…

On Herb Buffs, Debuffs and Symbiotic Bushes

Notes on herb buffs and mixed plant bushes

[Bloodthistle] is found in Evensong Woods, usually around buildings and magical hotspots, and gives Blood Elves a buff, increasing damage and healing done by magical spells and effects by a small amount (10) for 10 minutes. However, when it wears off you get a debuff of -5 spirit for 20 minutes. It has no other use.


[Bloodvine] can only be found in herb bushes in the Zul'Gurub instance, and even then you must have a [Blood Scythe] in your inventory. Said [Blood Scythe] is sometimes found in the Jinxed Hoodoo Piles there. It is used in a number of pre-TBC items, mostly from Zandalar recipes.


[Dreaming Glory] gives a regeneration buff (30 HP5) for 15 min after picking.


[Fel Blossom] is occasionally found within patches of [Felweed] and gives Alchemists a damage absorption buff when used.
Requires level 60 and Herbalism (275) and on use: Absorbs 750 to 1,250 damage. This lasts 15 seconds and has a 2 minute cooldown. It has no other use.


[Fel Lotus] is occasionally found in most Outland herbs, including Felweed. Drop rate is generally given at 3%. It can also be found when 'skinning' the various Bog Lords in Zangermarsh.


[Flame Cap] gives a fire damage buff when used, giving a chance to strike a ranged or melee target for 40 fire damage. Also increases fire spell damage by up to 80. It lasts 1 min, but does share a cooldown with pots.
It has no other use as yet, but when Wrath of the Lich King ships (13.11.08) it will be used for some Inscriptions.


[Nightmare Vine] will occasionally yield a [Nightmare Seed] when harvested. This gives a buff similar to a warrior's 'Last Stand' when used.
Requires Level 60. When used it increases your health by 2000 for 30 sec. When the effect ends the extra health will be lost.


[Netherbloom] gives a Netherbloom Pollen stamina buff (50 stamina) for 15 min after picking. Stacks nicely with the Dreaming Glory buff.


[Swiftthistle] is occasionally found in [Briarthorn] and [Mageroyal] patches, it does not grow on its own.


[Wildvine] again does not grow alone, but can found in [Purple Lotus] patches. It also drops from some Trolls, notably those in Hinterlands.

Herbalism bonuses

The Herbalist's Gloves (an Alliance pattern, requires level 22) can give to a +5. Rather annoyingly these are leather and thus mages, priests and warlocks can't uses them, but there you go.

[Enchant Gloves - Advanced Herbalism] will give you a +5 bonus to herbalism. This stacks with the above gloves for +10 to the ability

Tauren's gain a 15-point bonus to their herbalism skill from the "Cultivation" Racial trait. Tauren druids, with the above gloves, can tot up a massive bonus of +25 to herb picking. Nice when skilling up.


In Wrath, Herbalists will get the Lifeblood ability which, at 450 skill will healing you for 2,000 over 5 sec.

Herbalism Bags

Herb Bags

At low levels you can buy 12 slot herb bags from some of the herbalism supply vendors but really you are better off with a 16 slot Netherweave Bag from auction house or a tailor friend. After this you can have various other tailored bags:

20 slot Cenarion Herb Herb (about 40g in AH)

24 slot Satchel of Cenarius (about 85g in AH)

28 slot Mycah's Botanical Bag (for a heftier 350g or so in AH)