If you cook with a lot of fresh herbs at home, having your own herb garden goes a long way. Not only will you have an array of herbs ready to be picked fresh right in your own home but you’re also sure that what you grow is not treated with harmful pesticides.
One question people ask me is how to grow herbs indoors. A lot of people have small or no yard and want to grow herbs indoors to use in cooking. Which means it’s also important to know which herbs you can grow indoors.
Wondering where to start? Then this is for you! Today, we’ll be talking about houseplant herbs you can grow all year. Let’s get started!
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Growing Herbs At Home Year-Round
There are a few things you need to keep in mind if you’re growing culinary herbs at home. For starters, they should be placed in an area that gets at least six hours of sunlight daily. All herbs also need to be planted in well-draining soil to keep their roots from drowning which will eventually kill your plants.
Generally, herbs will have no trouble surviving in the summer but once the weather starts getting colder, you might need to rethink your strategy.
If you grow your herbs outdoors, you might have put them inside to shield them from outdoor winter conditions. Alternatively, you can also cover your herbs with plastic sheeting supported by a PVC framework to protect them from the frost.
You’re also better off sticking to cold-hardy herbs like parsley, marjoram, thyme, sorrel, and garlic chives. These herbs can survive the harsher winter weather. Once it gets warm again, you can rotate the herbs you plant in your garden.
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Herbs to Grow All Year at Home
Now let’s get down to it and discuss what herbs are good to grow inside. Depending on your pots and soil these are the easiest herbs you can grow as houseplants year round indoors.
Basil
Basil adds freshness and sweetness to tomato-based dishes. You can start them in pots containing well draining soil. Place these pots in a south facing window for sunlight and warmth. Be sure to water them when the potting soil feels dry.
Mint
Mint is a tasty herb that goes well in many salads, savory dishes, and beverages. You can also plant a wide assortment of it in your garden ranging from peppermint, spearmint, chocolate, orange, apple, banana, and more.
The best part about growing mint is they can survive even with very little sunlight. Simply plant them in pots filled with potting mix and water them regularly. Once they start growing, simply snip a few sprigs every two weeks to keep them from getting overcrowded.
Rosemary
If you love roasting chicken or making tomato and cream-based soups, rosemary is your best friend. It tolerates hot, sunny, dry locations in the summer months, but prefers cooler temperatures (40 to 65 degrees F) in the winter, as long as the light is strong.
You can start rosemary seedlings in well draining potting mix. Never let the soil dry out.
Parsley
This one is a staple in many dishes as a garnish and as a flavor booster for salads and soups, parsley truly belongs in every home cook’s herb garden.
Grow in a deep pot with rich, organic potting soil and provide strong light. Harvest individual leaves by pinching stems off near the base. Also, it is advisable to feed the plants with half-strength liquid fertilizer every two weeks.
Thyme
Thyme seedlings can be started indoors in well draining potting mix. Place containers in areas that receive full sun.
However, they can also grow in an east or west facing window. Water when the surface of the soil on these small plants is dry and before any signs of wilting show up.
Chervil
Touted for its sweet anise-parsley flavor, chervil is perfect for Béarnaise sauce and pairs well with fish, potatoes, steamed carrots, and eggs.
Start chervil seeds in moist potting soil in deep pots to give their tap roots room to grow. After sprouting, keep plants cool (60 to 70 degrees F) and give them moderate sun. Replant every few weeks to keep plenty of fresh young leaves on hand.
Herbs are often the easiest to grow indoors or out. They grow quickly and start well from seedlings. You can start them and be using them in a matter of days.
It’s a great family project and adds a great homeyness to the family kitchen.
Do you have an indoor or outdoor herb garden? What are your favorite herbs to grow? How do you use them in dishes?
