In WoW, professions provide different activities for players. If you get tired of farming and killing, you can turn to trade skills for a change in scenery. Sure, not all players like crafting and gathering, but it does break the monotony of combat.
Herbalism is one such profession, specifically a gathering one. You can't craft things without materials or ingredients, right? Those come from gathering vocations, though you can also buy them off the Auction House if you have the gold. Otherwise, you'll be out there in the wild, picking up flowers and herbs or mining for ore.
Herbalism deals with gathering plants for use in Alchemy and Inscription. Both of those professions are a good pair with this one. With that, you collect your materials for crafting potions or various enchantments. Alchemy might edge out Inscription in terms of investments and profits, though. Since its product is consumable, there's always demand as supplies run out.

How to Gain the Herbalism Profession
At level 5, you can choose your first profession. Head to the nearest Herbalism Trainer in a town to learn it. If you can't find them, you can ask a guard to mark the NPC's location for you.
For gathering professions, an early start is a critical step. This lets you start gathering herbs early to level up and build a stockpile of the stuff. By the time you get to the meat of your crafting, you don't have to collect as much as if you started later. You'll also be actively looking for nodes, so you'll have a bit of an instinct for the locations of these herb collection points.

Leveling Up Herbalism
To level up Herbalism, you need to note the node's color. It will indicate whether you can gain experience from collecting it or not.
If the node is:
- Red: You don't have the required level to collect it
- Orange: You'll gain experience 100% of the time
- Yellow: There's a high chance you get EXP by gathering it
- Green: There's a low chance you get XP when harvesting
- Grey: You don't get experience at all
You'll only need to collect orange to green-colored nodes to level up Herbalism. As you grow stronger in levels, you'll also open new areas with new herbs to harvest. If you want to level up the profession, you'll stay in a location to wring out the most experience possible.
There are level milestones at 75, 150, and 225. When you reach those numbers, go back to the trainer for the next training step as an Herbalist. Otherwise, you'll be wasting experience because your level won't increase before talking to a trainer.
Trainers
Alliance
- Firodren Mooncaller: Darnassas, Temple Gardens (48, 68)
- Reyna Stonebranch: Ironforge, Great Forge (55.6, 58)
- Tannysa: Stormwind, Mage Quarter (44.8, 77)
- Shylamiir: Stormwind, The Park (15.2, 49.8)
- Malorne Bladeleaf: Teldrassil, Dolanaar (57.6, 60.6)
- Herbalist Pomeroy: Elwynn Forest, near the gates of Stormwind (39.8, 48.4)
- Kali Healtouch: Loch Modan, Thelsamar (36.6, 48.4)
- Alma Jainrose: Redridge Mountains, Lakeshire (21.8, 45.8)
- Cylania Rootstalker: Ashenvale, Silverwind Refuge (50.6, 67)
- Telurinon Moonshadow: Wetlands, Menethil Harbor (8, 55.8)
- Brant Jasperbloom: Dustwallow Marsh, Theramore Isle (64, 47.6)
Horde
- Jandi: Ogrimmar, Drag in Ogrimmar, inside of the Jandi's Arboretum building on the upper level (55.6, 39.6)
- Komin Winterhood: Thunder Bluff, central bluff (49.8, 39.8)
- Martha Alliestar: Undercity, Apothecarium (54.8, 50.2)
- Mishiki: Durotar, Sen'Jin Village (55.4, 75)
- Faruza: Tirisfal Glades, Brill (59.8, 52)
- Aranae Venomblood: Hillsbrad Foothills, Tarren Mill (61.6, 19.6)
- Angrun: Stranglethorn Vale, Grom'gol Base Camp (32.2, 27.6)
- Ruw: Feralas, Camp Mojache in Feralas, near the flight master (76, 43.4)
Neutral
- Flora Silverwind: Stranglethorn Vale, Booty Bay (27.6, 77.6)
- Malvor: Moonglade, Nighthave (45.6, 46.8)
Leveling 1-70 (Alliance)
| (Skill Level) Herb | Locations |
| (1) Peacebloom (1) Silverleaf (15) Earthroot (50) Mageroyal |
Dun Morogh
Elwynn Forest
Teldrassil
|
Leveling 1-70 (Horde)
| (Skill Level) Herb | Locations |
| (1) Peacebloom (1) Silverleaf (15) Earthroot (50) Mageroyal |
Durotar
Mulgore
Tirisfal Glades
|
Leveling 70-115
| (Skill Level) Herb | Locations |
| (50) Mageroyal (70) Briarthorn (85) Stranglekelp (100) Bruiseweed |
Ashenvale Darkshore Hillsbrad Foothills Loch Modan Redridge Mountains Silverpine Forest Stonetalon Mountains The Barrens Westfall Wetlands |
Leveling 115-170
| (Skill Level) Herb | Locations |
| (70) Briarthorn (85) Stranglekelp (100) Bruiseweed (115) Wild Steelbloom (120) Grave Moss (125) Kingsblood (150) Liferoot (160) Fadeleaf |
Alterac Mountains Arathi Highlands Ashenvale Badlands Desolace Duskwood Dustwallow Marsh Hillsbrad Foothills Stonetalon Mountains Stragnlethorn Vale Swamp of Sorrows Thousand Needles Wetlands |
Leveling 170-205
| (Skill Level) Herb | Locations |
| (125) Kingsblood (150) Liferoot (160) Fadeleaf (170) Goldthorn (185) Khadgar's Whisker (195) Wintersbite |
Alterac Mountains Arathi Highlands Badlands Dustmallow Marsh Feralas Stranglethorn Vale Swamp of Sorrows The Hinterlands |
Leveling 205-230
| (Skill Level) Herb | Locations |
| (160) Fadeleaf (170) Goldthorn (185) Khadgar's Whisker (195) Wintersbite (205) Firebloom (210) Purple Lotus |
Alterac Mountains Arathi Highlands Azshara Badlands Blasted Lands Dustmallow Marsh Feralas Searing Gorge Stranglethorn Vale Swamp of Sorrows The Hinterlands |
Leveling 230-270
| (Skill Level) Herb | Locations |
| (185) Khadgar's Whisker (195) Wintersbite (205) Firebloom (210) Purple Lotus (220) Arthas' Tears (230) Sungrass (235) Blindweed (245) Ghost Mushroom (250) Gromsblood (260) Golden Samsam |
Azshara Blasted Lands Burning Steppes Eastern Plaguelands Felwood Feralas Silithus Swamp of Sorrows Tanaris The Hinterlands Un'Goro Crater Western Plaguelands |
Leveling 270-300
| (Skill Level) Herb | Locations |
| (230) Sungrass (235) Blindweed (245) Ghost Mushroom (250) Gromsblood (260) Golden Samsam (270) Dreamfoil (280) Mountain Silversage (285) Plaguebloom (290) Icecap |
Azshara Blasted Lands Burning Steppes Eastern Plaguelands Felwood Silithus The Hinterlands Un'Goro Crater Western Plaguelands Winterspring |

For a fast track to leveling, here is a possible path you can follow:
- 1-50: Peacebloom and Silverleaf
- Best Zones to farm Peacebloom: The Barrens, Tirisfal Glades, Mulgore, Durotar, Teldrassil, Dun Morogh
- Best Zones to farm Silverleaf: Arathi Highlands, Swamp of Sorrows
- 51-75: Earthroot and Mageroyal
- Best Zones to farm Earthroot: The Barrens, Tirisfal Glades, Durotar, Dun Morogh
- Best Zones to farm Mageroyal: The Barrens, Ashenvale, Darkshore, Westfall
- 76-100: Briarthorn
- Best Zones to farm Briarthorn: Duskwood, The Barrens, Ashenvale, Darkshore, Westfall
- 101-115: Bruiseweed
- Best Zones to farm Bruiseweed: Stonetalon Mountains, Hillsbrad Foothills
- 116-125: Wild Steelbloom
- Best Zones to farm Wild Steelbloom: Arathi Highlands, Stonetalon Mountains
- 126-160: Kingsblood
- Best Zones to farm Kingsblood: Stranglethorn Vale, Hillsbrad Foothills
- 161-185: Fadeleaf
- Best Zones to farm Fadeleaf: Arathi Highlands, Swamp of Sorrows
- 186-205: Khadgar's Whisker
- Best Zones to farm Khadgar's Whisker: Stranglethorn Vale, Arathi Highlands
- 206-230: Firebloom
- Best Zones to farm Firebloom: Tanaris, Blasted Lands
- 231-250: Sungrass
- Best Zones to farm Sungrass: Azshara, Hinterlands
- 251-270: Gromsblood
- Best Zones to farm Gromsblood: Felwood
- 271-285: Dreamfoil
- Best Zones to farm Dreamfoil: Un'goro Crater, Azshara
- 286-300: Plaguebloom
- Best Zones to farm Plaguebloom: Eastern Plaguelands, Western Plaguelands
You can deviate and collect other herbs. This isn't a rigid guide you have to follow to the letter. Harvesting whatever nodes you come across as you travel is also a valid method, even if it's slower. It's not a race so level up at your leisure.

Herb Locations and Skill Requirements
Below is a list of all herb nodes in WoW Classic, their terrain/zone, and skill requirements.
|
Skill Requirement Name |
Herbs | Spawn Locations | Zones |
|
1 25 50 100
Peacebloom |
Peacebloom
|
Found in open terrain | Darkshore, Dun Morogh, Durotar, Elwynn Forest, Loch Modan, Mulgore, Redridge Mountains, Silverpine Forest, Teldrassil, The Barrens, Tirisfal Glades, Westfall |
|
1 25 50 100
Silverleaf |
Silverleaf | Found near trees | Darkshore, Dun Morogh, Durotar, Elwynn Forest, Loch Modan, Mulgore, Redridge Mountains, Silverpine Forest, Teldrassil, The Barrens, Tirisfal Glades, Westfall |
| 15 40 65 115 Earthroot |
Earthroot | Found on hills or near cliffs | Darkshore, Dun Morogh, Durotar, Elwynn Forest, Loch Modan, Mulgore, Redridge Mountains, Silverpine Forest, Teldrassil, The Barrens, Tirisfal Glades, Wailing Caverns, Westfall |
|
50 75 100 150
Mageroyal |
Mageroyal Swiftthistle |
Found in open terrain | Ashenvale, Darkshore, Durotar, Duskwood, Hillsbrad Foothills, Loch Modan, Redridge Mountains, Silverpine Forest, Stonetalon Mountains, Teldrassil, The Barrens, Westfall, Wetlands |
|
70 95 120 170
Briarthorn |
Briarthorn Swiftthistle |
Found near trees | Ashenvale, Darkshore, Duskwood, Hillsbrad Foothills, Loch Modan, Razorfen Kraul, Redridge Mountains, Silverpine Forest, The Barrens, Westfall, Wetlands |
|
85 110 135 185
Stranglekelp |
Stranglekelp | Near or underwater | Alterac Mountains, Arathi Highlands, Ashenvale, Azshara, Blackfathom Deeps, Darkshore, Desolace, Dustwallow Marsh, Feralas, Hillsbrad Foothills, Maraudon, Silverpine Forest, Stranglethorn Vale, Swamp of Sorrows, Tanaris, The Barrens, The Hinterlands, Westfall, Wetlands |
|
100 125 150 200
Bruiseweed |
Bruiseweed | Near buildings or hills | Alterac Mountains, Arathi Highlands, Ashenvale, Blackfathom Deeps, Darkshore, Desolace, Hillsbrad Foothills, Loch Modan, Redridge Mountains, Silverpine Forest, Stonetalon Mountains, The Barrens, Thousand Needles, Wailing Caverns, Westfall, Wetlands |
|
115 140 165 215
Wild Steelbloom |
Wild Steelbloom | Found on hills or near cliffs | Alterac Mountains, Arathi Highlands, Ashenvale, Badlands, Desolace, Duskwood, Hillsbrad Foothills, Stonetalon Mountains, Stranglethorn Vale, The Barrens, Thousand Needles, Wetlands |
|
120 145 170 220
Grave Moss |
Grave Moss | Near crypts and graveyards | Alterac Mountains, Arathi Highlands, Desolace, Duskwood, Razorfen Downs, Scarlet Monastery (Graveyard), The Barrens, Wetlands |
|
125 150 175 225
Kingsblood |
Kingsblood | Found in open terrain | Alterac Mountains, Arathi Highlands, Ashenvale, Badlands, Desolace, Duskwood, Dustwallow Marsh, Hillsbrad Foothills, Scarlet Monastery (Graveyard), Stonetalon Mountains, Stranglethorn Vale, Swamp of Sorrows, The Barrens, Thousand Needles, Wailing Caverns, Wetlands |
|
150 175 200 250
Liferoot |
Liferoot | Near water sources | Alterac Mountains, Arathi Highlands, Ashenvale, Desolace, Dustwallow Marsh, Feralas, Hillsbrad Foothills, Scarlet Monastery (Cathedral, Library), Silverpine Forest, Stranglethorn Vale, The Hinterlands, Wailing Caverns, Wetlands |
|
160 185 210 260
Fadeleaf |
Fadeleaf | Found near trees | Alterac Mountains, Arathi Highlands, Badlands, Dustwallow Marsh, Razorfen Kraul, Scarlet Monastery (Armory, Library), Stranglethorn Vale, Swamp of Sorrows, The Hinterlands |
|
170 195 220 270
Goldthorn |
Goldthorn | Found on hills or near cliffs | Alterac Mountains, Arathi Highlands, Azshara, Badlands, Blasted Lands, Dustwallow Marsh, Feralas, Razorfen Downs, Scarlet Monastery (Cathedral), Stranglethorn Vale, Swamp of Sorrows, The Hinterlands |
|
185 210 235 285
Khadgar's Whisker |
Khadgar's Whisker | Found near trees | Alterac Mountains, Arathi Highlands, Azshara, Badlands, Dustwallow Marsh, Feralas, Hillsbrad Foothills, Stranglethorn Vale, Swamp of Sorrows, The Hinterlands |
|
195 220 245 295
Wintersbite |
Wintersbite
|
Found in open terrain | Alterac Mountains |
|
205 230 255 305
Firebloom |
Firebloom | Found in open terrain | Badlands, Blasted Lands, Searing Gorge, Tanaris |
|
210 235 260 310
Purple Lotus |
Purple Lotus Wildvine Bloodvine* |
Found in or near ruins | Ashenvale, Azshara, Badlands, Feralas, Stranglethorn Vale, Tanaris, The Hinterlands, Zul'Gurub |
|
220 245 270 320
Arthas' Tears |
Arthas' Tears | Found in open terrain | Eastern Plaguelands, Felwood, Razorfen Downs, Western Plaguelands |
|
230 255 280 330
Sungrass |
Sungrass Bloodvine* |
Found in open terrain | Azshara, Blasted Lands, Burning Steppes, Eastern Plaguelands, Felwood, Feralas, Silithus, The Hinterlands, Un'Goro Crater, Western Plaguelands, Zul'Gurub |
|
235 260 285 335
Blindweed |
Blindweed | Found near water sources | Maraudon, Swamp of Sorrows, Un'Goro Crater |
|
245 270 295 345
Ghost Mushroom |
Ghost Mushroom | Found inside of caves | Dire Maul (East), Maraudon, The Hinterlands |
|
250 275 300 350
Gromsblood |
Gromsblood | Found in open terrain | Ashenvale, Blasted Lands, Desolace, Dire Maul (East), Felwood |
| 260 285 310 360 Golden Sansam |
Golden Sansam Bloodvine* |
Found in open terrain | Azshara, Burning Steppes, Eastern Plaguelands, Felwood, Feralas, Silithus, The Hinterlands, Un'Goro Crater, Zul'Gurub |
| 270 290 315 370 Dreamfoil |
Dreamfoil Bloodvine* |
Found in open terrain | Azshara, Burning Steppes, Dire Maul (East), Eastern Plaguelands, Felwood, Silithus, Un'Goro Crater, Western Plaguelands, Zul'Gurub |
| 280 305 330 380 Mountain Silversage |
Mountain Silversage Bloodvine* |
Found in high locations and on cliffs | Azshara, Burning Steppes, Eastern Plaguelands, Felwood, Silithus, Un'Goro Crater, Western Plaguelands, Winterspring, Zul'Gurub |
| 285 310 335 385 Plaguebloom |
Plaguebloom | Found in open terrain | Eastern Plaguelands, Felwood, Western Plaguelands |
| 290 315 340 390 Icecap |
Icecap | Found on hills or near cliffs | Winterspring |
|
300 325 350 400
Black Lotus |
Black Lotus | Found in open terrain | Burning Steppes, Eastern Plaguelands, Silithus, Winterspring |

Notable Herbs for Recipes
Herbs can be used in many consumables. Listed below are some of the most important ones for flasks, powerful elixirs, and useful potions.
-
Black Lotus is used in the following recipes:
-
Flask of Chromatic Resistance
-
Flask of Distilled Wisdom
-
Flask of Petrification
-
Flask of Supreme Power
-
Flask of the Titans
-
Purification Potion
-
Gurubashi Mojo Madness
-
-
Icecap is used in the following recipes:
-
Flask of Chromatic Resistance
-
Flask of Distilled Wisdom
-
Major Mana Potion
-
Living Action Potion
-
Purification Potion
-
Gyrofreeze Ice Reflector
-
-
Plaguebloom is used in the following recipes:
-
Elixir of Brute Force
-
Elixir of the Mongoose
-
Elixir of the Sages
-
Major Troll's Blood Potion
-
Mageblood Potion
-
Purification Potion
-
-
Mountain Silversage is used in the following recipes:
-
Flask of Chromatic Resistance
-
Flask of Petrification
-
Flask of Supreme Power
-
Elixir of the Mongoose
-
Greater Arcane Elixir
-
Living Action Potion
-
Major Healing Potion
-
-
Dreamfoil is used in the following recipes:
-
Flask of Distilled Wisdom
-
Flask of Supreme Power
-
Elixir of the Sages
-
Greater Arcane Elixir
-
Greater Arcane Protection Potion
-
Greater Fire Protection Potion
-
Greater Frost Protection Potion
-
Greater Nature Protection Potion
-
Greater Shadow Protection Potion
-
Mageblood Potion
-
Major Mana Potion
-
Major Rejuvenation Potion
-
Greater Dreamless Sleep Potion
-
-
Golden Sansam is used in the following recipes:
-
Major Healing Potion
-
Major Rejuvenation Potion
-
Greater Dreamless Sleep Potion
-
-
Gromsblood is used in the following recipes:
-
Flask of the Titans
-
Elixir of Brute Force
-
Elixir of Giants
-
Mighty Rage Potion
-
Major Troll's Blood Potion
-
-
Ghost Mushroom is used in the following recipes:
-
Elixir of Shadow Power
-
Limited Invulnerability Potion
-
Invisibility Potion
-
-
Blindweed is used in the following recipes:
-
Gift of Arthas
-
Limited Invulnerability Potion
-
-
Sungrass is used in the following recipes:
-
Elixir of Greater Agility
-
Elixir of Giants
-
Elixir of Superior Defense
-
Invisibility Potion
-
-
Arthas' Tears is used in the following recipe:
-
Gift of Arthas
-
-
Purple Lotus is used in the following recipes:
-
Brilliant Wizard Oil
-
Elixir of Greater Firepower
-
Oil of Immolation
-
-
Wintersbite is used in the following recipes:
-
Elixir of Frost Power
-
Frost Oil
-
-
Khadgar's Whisker is used in the following recipes:
-
Elixir of Frost Power
-
Frost Oil
-
-
Fadeleaf is used in the following recipes:
-
Blinding Powder
-

Classes and Races for Herbalism
Some classes and races have an advantage over others in making the most of the profession. A Tauren Druid is the best combination you can use for it. The race has a bonus to Herbalism, giving a 15-point headstart to the vocation. As for the Druid part, the class's shapeshifting abilities let players collect nodes without dismounting a ride.
Since Alchemy is part and parcel of the profession, classes with an affinity with it will also benefit from Herbalism. Mages and Warlocks are an example. They need the various potions Alchemy provides, so taking Herbalism lets them supply their concoctions. They can save a lot of gold this way and sometimes even earn a profit.
Lastly, Rogues need some herbs for some of their abilities, making Herbalism a convenient choice to produce resources for it.

Additional Information
The WoW Retail wiki notes that bonus points in the profession may mess up the coloration of nodes. That sometimes means earning XP on a greyed-out collection area is possible. Similarly, it might mean that some orange-colored nodes are not available to you yet. While it may have been fixed in Classic, it's still worth noting and trying out. Using a Tauren or specific Herbalism points-improving equipment is the main culprit of this bug.
You can plan the potions or inscriptions you want to make and/or sell and focus on gathering the herbs for those. That is when you come across them in your journey. Stay a while in that area and pick as much as possible so you don't have to do the bulk of it later.
Alchemy and Inscription are the only professions that could pair well with Herbalism. You can also have two gathering professions if you want to supply the crafters of the server. It could be a profitable system if you don't prefer making products yourself. As mentioned above, potions are always in demand because they are used in raids and other activities. That also means there's a constant demand for herbs and tinctures.
You won't need any supplies or equipment to start gathering herbs, though there is one exception. If you're harvesting Bloodvine, you'll need a Blood Scythe. Otherwise, you can collect any of the available herbs as you are.
If you can, get an Herb Bag with a dedicated inventory for your profession. Your herbs won't be scattered across several bags. Herbalists can buy one from the trainers, but bigger ones must come from a Tailoring friend or through the Auction House.

Go Out and Gather Herbs
Whether you're an aspiring Alchemist or just want to profit from gathering herbs, Herbalism is an excellent profession to take up. You have everything you need to know about it, so there's no reason not to put it into practice. Unless it's not your type of activity, in which case you should check out our other WoW profession guides.
Have fun playing WoW Classic!