Growing Herbs Indoors: The Ultimate Beginner's Guide

Growing herbs inside take the sting out of having limited outdoor space for gardening or running short on fresh herbs in winter. Just think of cutting fresh basil to add to your pasta in January, or chopping up fresh chives to toss into your soup on the day it comes to a snowstorm. You don't need to have your yard to enjoy the fresh-from-the-garden flavor all year long!

I founded my first indoor herb garden in a small apartment with a sunny windowsill. Before long, my mint flourished better than any of my outdoor plants had ever done. Maintaining an indoor garden is much easier because you have greater control over light, water, and pests.

If you want to grow herbs at home, rosemary and thyme are appropriate choices. These herbs tolerate pots much better than vegetable beds and require less work. Choose the compact varieties that suit your situation. If you have a single south-facing window, you can have a moving harvest of commonly used kitchen herbs with no weeding or risk of frost!

At the end of the day, success truly depends on how closely you can replicate the environment in which the plants you're growing thrive naturally. For example, Mediterranean herbs prefer poor, gritty soil and lots of light; whereas shade-tolerant parsley is perfectly happy under grow lights or LEDs. My advice: Start with somewhat foolproof plants like oregano and build your garden from there. You can be amazed at what you can do even with a small garden.

Growing herbs indoors begins with varieties that are forgiving for beginners. Basil and Mint are on the top of the list for being easy to grow. Basil requires 6+ hours of light, and mint can handle darker corners of the house. Either herb will bounce back quickly if you miss watering.

Light defines success. Mediterranean herbs, for instance, rosemary requires south-facing windows or some strong grow lights. Likewise, parsley and chives will grow with less light, but they won't grow as quickly. I learned this the hard way after my first rosemary plant wilted in my north-facing kitchen.

Pet owners should steer clear of toxic types of herbs. Lemongrass and bay laurel are harmful to cats; thyme and oregano are safe. Always consult your local ASPCA list before you plant herbs and keep in mind a common mistake I made with my cat's behavior. I should have moved my toxic herbs up to high shelves!

Soil has its foundation in nature. For instance, rosemary enjoys a gritty cactus mix that will mimic its native habitat of rocky Mediterranean hills. For example, basil prefers a rich compost blend that mimics its tropically native habitat. If you match your soil to your plant's natural habitat, you can avoid issues such as root rot or stunted growth.

Start with chives; they're tolerant of low light and infrequent attention and will provide a little green. If you want something a bit more productive, try lemon balm. It's very forgiving to neglect but will probably spread quickly! Lastly, for some color, try the purple sage. Only deal with lavender if you can monitor the humidity because lavender can be tricky. Your windowsill will thank you for your patience and commitment by delivering unrelenting flavor.

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Basil

• Requires 68-77°F (20-25°C) for optimal growth
• Pinch flower buds to prolong leaf production
• Use well-draining soil with pH 6.0-7.0
• Susceptible to fusarium wilt in humid conditions
• Harvest top leaves first to encourage bushiness
• Daily light rotation prevents lopsided growth

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Mint

• Spread through underground runners in containers
• Tolerates temperatures down to 50°F (10°C)
• Prune weekly to maintain compact shape
• Use 10-inch/25 cm wide containers minimum
• Yellow leaves indicate overwatering issues
• Chamomile companions improve flavor intensity

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Rosemary

• Needs 40-50% humidity for needle health
• Mature plants require 3-gallon/11 L pots
• Water only when soil is completely dry
• Rotate plant 180° weekly for even growth
• Woody stems indicate age over 2 years
• Essential oil peaks at 6 hours sunlight

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Chives

• Thrive at 60-70°F (15-21°C)
• Cut leaves 2 inches/5 cm above soil
• Divide clumps every 3 years
• Use garlic chives for Asian recipes
• Tolerates fluorescent office lighting
• Fertilize monthly with fish emulsion

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Oregano

• Greek variety has strongest flavor
• Prefer terracotta pots for drainage
• Harvest before flowering for potency
• Tolerates 55°F/13°C nighttime temps
• Prone to spider mites in dry air
• Drought-tolerant once established

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Thyme

• Lemon thyme variety repels pests
• Water only when soil cracks
• Use sandy soil mix for drainage
• Trim woody stems in spring
• Susceptible to root rot
• Flowers attract beneficial insects

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Parsley

• Flat-leaf has stronger flavor
• Germination takes 14-28 days
• Keep soil pH 5.5-6.5
• Requires 12-inch/30 cm depth
• Yellow leaves need nitrogen boost
• Biennial life cycle

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Lemon Balm

• Prune to 4 inches/10 cm height
• Leaves turn black below 45°F/7°C
• Use self-watering containers
• Attracts whiteflies in summer
• Dry leaves for herbal tea
• Tolerates north-facing windows

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Sage

• Purple sage needs brightest light
• Avoid water on fuzzy leaves
• Repot every 2-3 years
• Use for smudge sticks
• Susceptible to powdery mildew
• Flavor intensifies with age

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Cilantro

• Bolts above 75°F/24°C
• Use succession planting
• Soak seeds overnight
• Harvest outer leaves first
• Requires 6-inch/15 cm depth
• Crush leaves for pesto

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Dill

• Needs 12-inch/30 cm pots
• Support stems with stakes
• Use for pickling recipes
• Attracts swallowtail butterflies
• Seeds ripen in 90 days
• Tolerates cooler temperatures

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Chervil

• Prefers 60-65°F/15-18°C
• Use in French fines herbes
• Direct sow in containers
• Harvest at 6-inch/15 cm height
• Dislikes transplanting
• Companion with radishes

Growing herbs indoors requires thoughtful light placement. South-facing windows provide an ideal source of 6+ hours of direct sun that many herbs thrive on, such as rosemary and thyme. I once burnt basil placing it in a west-facing window, as it had more sun than it wanted. East-facing locations are good for morning sun-type plants such as parsley.

Evaluate light intensity using foot-candle equivalents. Most herbs need 2,000-5,000 lux (200-500 foot candles). My cheap $20 light meter indicated my "sunny" kitchen has only 800 lux. LED grow lights fixed the issue, with a 12-inch height above the plants for 14 hours a day.

Winters in the Northern Hemisphere could reduce daylight by half. You can either move herbs closer to windows or simply turn the grow light on a little bit longer. For gardeners in the Southern Hemisphere, the intense summer sun can cause bean leaves to burn and sheer curtains can help. If using pots, be sure to rotate them every week or so to give all sides equal time in the sun.

Adjust humidity to reflect the conditions of the herbs' native environments. Basil prefers 50-60% humidity, which is generally found in a kitchen near the stove. Rosemary prefers 40% humidity and should not be misted. I set up trays of pebbles with some of the herbs that like moisture. If you live in a dry climate, an inexpensive small humidifier is great for herbs because it prevents crispy leaf edges and will not promote mold growth.

The process of growing herbs indoors begins by selecting a suitable recipe for the soil. Coconut coir materials drain moisture faster than peat moss, so coconut coir might be best for growing Mediterranean-style herbs like rosemary, which dislike their roots being wet. Peat sources will keep the moisture longer and may work better for the thirstiest of herbs, like basil or parsley, in dry or dark homes.

Water according to the depth of the root system. Chives which are very shallow rooted, prefer light, frequent drinks. Oregano, which has a deep root structure, prefers deep watering every 10 days. I killed my first thyme by watering every week; I would water - and water - and my fuzzy-leafed thyme was wilting and yellowing from being in too much water. Now I look at the roots before reaching for the watering can.

When Mediterranean herbs are overwatered, the leaves become limp and a grayish color appears. Also, leafy mint typically turns black at the stems. For organic potting mixes, test the soil pH at least once a month. Basil enjoys a pH of between 6.0-7.5. A $15 meter saved my sage when I mixed compost that went quite wrong and made it quite acidic.

Improve drainage for drought-resistant herbs by incorporating perlite into store-bought potting soil. Use a layer of coconut coir under mint roots for moisture retention. Make sure to allow the top inch to dry out before watering again. Your herbs will reward you with rich oils and vibrant growth!

Pests love houseplants, especially herbs, but most harmful insecticides or sprays will ruin your edible plants. A gardener's best option is organic neem oil diluted in water (1 tsp per quart) to interfere with aphids' lifecycles, without adding toxicity. I spray my basil once a week, always surveying the underside of leaves, where bugs prefer to hide. I also use sticky traps to catch any adults who may have escaped my spray and are still hanging around before they lay their eggs.

Learn to match defenses with perceived plant weaknesses. Basil* attracts spider mites when I don't raise humidity using pebble trays during dry indoor weather. Mint* produces dense foliage ideal for harboring mealybugs. Isolate infected plants and dab the pests with a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol. "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure."

Growing certain plants together can naturally repel pests. For example, to repel nematodes, you can grow marigolds with herbs. Planting chives with parsley disguises its scent from carrot flies. I plant garlic cloves alongside my rosemary pots because the smell of sulfur confuses the whiteflies that are looking for a meal.

When time allows, break pest lifecycles. Fungus gnat larvae will die from soil completely drying out between waterings. For scale insects, cut them away in the early morning when they are even more sluggish than usual. Rotate the herb container every month when you give your herb a haircut to disrupt breeding activities that may be occurring in stagnant air.

Growing herbs indoors has specific feeding methods. Organic fertilizers, such as fish emulsion, are their nutrient release rates rather slowly to simulate natural soil processes. Synthetic options, on the other hand, provide an immediate boost while risking salts accumulating in your soil. My basil thrived with the organic option, while the rapid-growth synthetic option left the edges of my thyme bedraggled.

Adjust feeding depending on the season. Herbs in active growth (spring and summer) need nitrogen during active growth. Diluted compost tea is a good approach every three weeks. During winter dormancy, herbs will need little to no fertilizer. One year, I over-fertilized rosemary in December, and the needles yellowed until water flushed the soil.

Micronutrients can either bring about or ruin flavor. Basil needs magnesium to produce oil, just add a teaspoon of Epsom salt per gallon of water every month. Parsley needs iron to obtain the deepest green color. So test your soil every year. I figured out my cilantro plants were growing slowly because they were deficient in zinc. I resolved the zinc deficiency by adding crushed-up eggshells.

To prevent root burn, halve both fertilizer doses. And, to avoid root burn, be sure to thoroughly water before applying liquid fertilizers. If you're using granular mixes, always make sure to bury the mixture at least 2 inches below the surface. Scorched sage has taught me to always pre-moisten dry soil before I feed. Weak yellowing leaves indicate overfeeding, so act fast to leach the excess salt.

To get started in growing herbs indoors, it is as easy as it gets. Plant some mint or chives; they thrive on neglect and are forgiving for novice errors. My first windowsill garden had a pot of mint that survived while my outdoor plants wilted in the extreme heat. These herbs show that herb gardening is entirely possible even with a lack of knowledge and experience.

Light, water, and soil work in unison. Bright light requires more watering, but gritty soil avoids sogginess. After I saw my basil yellowed in the dense potting mix, I learned how to strike this balance. Adjust one and the others follow. Once you master this trio, every herb will be possible.

When you're feeling brave, try rosemary. The plant requires good air flow and lean soil is a test of your abilities as a gardener. Before I moved it near a fan, I almost lost mine due to humidity. These types of challenges help you grow as a gardener; you learn through small victories that become habits for life.

You have the option to locate an all-year-round harvest right in your kitchen. Just think of adding fresh thyme to holiday meals or drying fresh summer basil in full summer sun for winter stews. You can start with just one or two plants, and as you grow, the herbs will continue to grow in your garden. In no time, you will start trading packets from the grocery store for herb snippers always by your side. Every season will become the season for herbs!