In This ArticleView AllIn This ArticlePick the Right PlantsSelect a Container with DrainageChoose the Sunniest SpotWater—But Not Too MuchHarvest a Little at a TimeTransplant When Ready
In This ArticleView All
View All
In This Article
Pick the Right Plants
Select a Container with Drainage
Choose the Sunniest Spot
Water—But Not Too Much
Harvest a Little at a Time
Transplant When Ready
Close
Growing herbs indoors allows you to enjoy homegrown produce, whether you’re short on garden space or just want to add a dash of green to your interior. For newbies, growing herbs indoors can also be a low-stakes entry into more substantial edible gardening—all you need is a sunny window.
It also makes cooking at home easy. Whenever you need some herbs, just clip a few sprigs to use in a recipe or as a pretty garnish. If you clip more of the herb than you can use, wrap it in a damp paper towel and put it in a zip-top bag or a specialcontainermade for saving herbs.
Most herbs can be grown indoors, but those that tend to really thrive inside include no-fuss picks like basil, chives, mint, oregano, parsley, rosemary and thyme.
You can start herbs from seed orcuttings, which is a branch of an existing plant cut at the node and soaked in water until new roots sprout. However, you may find it much easier and faster to start your indoor garden with seedlings from a garden shop.
While there are dozens of herb pots you can buy, you can plant herbs in just about any container as long as it has some type of drainage. The pots also need a base to protect the surface underneath them like a saucer or round plastic protector, which you can find at garden centers.
You can use any size container you like provided the plant fits, but realize that the smaller the vessel, the sooner you’ll have to repot. If you are using nontraditional planters such as Mason jars, just make sure to place a layer of pebbles in the bottom to catch excess moisture so your potting soil doesn’t get saturated.
Most herbs prefer a lot of sunlight. That means you’ll want to give your indoor herb garden at least six hours of sun per day to thrive.
To maximize their exposure, place plants as close as possible to your brightest window—the bright light of a south-facing window is best. Avoid setting them in the center of a room or near a window with northern exposure—neither will offer enough light.
Growth may be slow in the winter when there isn’t much natural light. During those months, consider investing in a grow light or LED light while you wait for spring to arrive.
Harvest a few sprigs with kitchen shears or pinch leaves off with your fingers to use in recipes that require very little of the herb, such as scrambled eggs or anomelet wrapor used forgarnishing drinks. Typically, you won’t have enough of an herb to make ahomemade pesto,for instance. The big bonus: Regular cutbacks encourage new growth. Avoid removing more than a quarter of the plant at a time, which will cause distress and could even kill the plant.
The #1 Underrated Herb, According to a Food Writer
Indoor herb plants are not forever. The good news/bad news is that if you do it right, your herbs will eventually outgrow their containers and need more space. If you see roots coming out of the drainage holes, growth seems to have stalled or the plant starts to flop over, it’s time to transplant.
In most climates, perennial herbs such as lavender and mint can be started inside and moved into the ground after the threat of frost has passed. Annual herbs can be moved outdoors through the end of the growing season. When cold weather approaches, you can either bring the pots back indoors or leave them outside, but be sure to take cuttings before the first frost so you can start the whole indoor herb garden process over again.
Both annuals and perennials can be moved into larger pots within your home at any time; just keep them close to a light source.
Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!Tell us why!OtherSubmit
Was this page helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Tell us why!OtherSubmit
Tell us why!
