Grow Herbs Indoors (2024)

FAQs

Can I grow herbs indoors year round? ›

If you've been enjoying them all summer, there is no reason to stop. Or if you forgot to plant them, you don't need to wait until next spring. Basil, oregano, mint, chives, sage, rosemary, and thyme are the easiest herbs to grow indoors, whether you have them in the garden already or wish to plant them now.

Most herbs need six hours of direct sunlight. Either place herbs in a sunny location, for example, near a window with a southern exposure, or place herbs 6 to 12 inches from two 40 watt, cool white fluorescent bulbs for 14 to 16 hours.

Fresh herbs bring a welcome hint of summer, and many favorites thrive on a windowsill in winter as well as in the summer garden. Most herbs require four to six hours of sun or 14 hours of supplemental light daily, and a south or southwest exposure is best. All herbs except basil perform best next to a cool windowpane.

Water should be allowed to flow freely from the bottom of pots, and herbs should never be left sitting in standing water for long. If plants come sleeved in plastic, remove it before watering, and if saucers are used beneath plants to collect drips, empty them quickly.

Bringing perennial herbs indoors for winter (such as, rosemary, bay, thyme, oregano or sage) can also bring pests indoors. Examine plants carefully and spray with insecticidal soap or horticultural oil before bringing indoors. Aphids love tender young growth.

A majority of herbs are perennials throughout most of the United States. That means they come back year after year and usually get bigger or spread in territory each year. Some of our most-used cooking herbs are perennials, including sage, oregano and thyme.

In general, you should water your herbs two to three times a week. Herbs that require more watering: Basil, cilantro, mint and parsley. After initially planting or buying your herbs, provide enough water to keep the soil moist for a few days.

Dill. Dill is one of the quickest growing herbs. Sprout to harvest, you're looking at about 40 days. And while dill isn't as popular as other herb varieties, it's surprisingly versatile.

Outside in the garden, herbs grow best in full sun. To grow herbs indoors, place them by the sunniest window you can. A south- or southwest-facing window that lets in direct sunlight is best. Supplement natural light with an LED grow light as needed to give your herbs a total of 12-14 hours of light.

Coffee grounds are an excellent soil amendment medium for some potted greenery. They have a decent nitrogen content of 1-2 percent, which they release slowly into the potting soil. But, you can't use coffee grounds on potted plants, like rosemary, lavender and geraniums, as it makes the potting mix too acidic for them.

What herbs should not be potted together? ›

Fennel and cilantro are an example of competitive herbs. Don't plant fennel and cilantro in the same container. Rue, sage, and basil also don't get along well. They can restrict each other's growth when grown close together, so plant these in different pots.

If your planters don't have drainage holes, make a few in the bottom. Most gardeners like to grow indoor herbs in 4 or 6-inch pots that can easily fit on a windowsill. Clay pots can dry out quickly indoors, especially when a furnace or air conditioner is running, so you may want to use ceramic or plastic pots instead.

Sure, you could purchase potted basil plants from your local garden center or grocery store in spring and summer. But with just a few dollars of seeds and a little bit of your time, you can learn how to grow basil indoors year-round.

With a little preparation, nearly all of your herbs can come indoors for the winter. Growing herbs in containers will give you a fresh supply for cooking all year long, and you'll be able to take them back outside and replant when spring arrives.

If you plan to grow and maintain your kitchen herb garden indoors, you can start at any time of the year. But if you're thinking about creating a little herb corner in your garden or outdoor planter, then the best time to start planting herbs is spring, once the danger of frost has passed.