If you cook with a lot of fresh, perennial herbs at home, having your own herb garden goes a long way. Not only will you have an array of growing 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 all the time is how to grow herbs indoors. A lot of people have small or no yard and want to grow herbs indoors to use in health and culinary uses, which means it’s also essential to know the best way to grow and which herbs are easy 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!
You Might Also Like: 7 Herbs That Grow Well Together In Pots And Containers
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 especially if you are learning how to grow herbs indoors from seeds.
For starters, you need to know how to care for herbs indoors. They should be placed in an area that gets at least six hours of sunlight daily.
All indoor herbs also need to be planted in well-draining rich soil to keep their roots from drowning, which will eventually kill your plants.
Generally, popular herbs will have no trouble surviving in the summer when planting herbs indoors, but once the weather starts getting colder, you might need to rethink your strategy for growing herbs indoors.
Side note: Let’s talk a little about outdoor herb gardening: If you grow common herbs outdoors, you might have to put them inside to shield them from the outdoor winter conditions in the cold winter months. So learning how to grow herbs indoors in winter is very beneficial.
Alternatively, you can also cover your outdoor herbs in colder weather with plastic sheeting supported by a PVC framework often called a “cold frame” to protect them from the frost.
Once it gets into the warmer weather again, you can rotate the herbs you plant in your garden. You’re also better off sticking to cold-hardy herbs like:
In warmer climates especially, these hardy perennials and herbs can survive the harsher time of year when the winter weather is upon us.
You Might Also Like: How To Grow An Herb Garden! Growing Fresh Herbs Is Simple And Healthy!
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 for herbs indoors and remembering they’ll need moist soil to get off on the right foot, these are the easiest herbs you can grow as houseplants year-round indoors.
Basil
Basil is a great plant when you start to grow your own herbs indoors. Basil adds freshness and sweetness to tomato-based dishes. It is so aromatic you’ll want to use it in everything.
You can start a basil plant in pots containing well-draining soil. Place these pots in a south-facing window for sunlight and warmth.
You can also buy grow lights if you don’t have a sunny spot. Be sure to water your fresh basil when the potting soil feels dry.
Basil likes warm weather, if it’s in a cold window it will suffer. Basil also like being watered from underneath taking care not to splash the leaves and possibly causing a disease.
Mint
Mint is a tasty small plant and excellent herb that goes well in many salads, savory dishes, and beverages. You can also plant a wide assortment of mint plants in your garden including:
- peppermint
- spearmint
- chocolate
- orange
- apple
- banana
- and more
The best part about growing mint is itcan 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.
Keep in mind if you grow it in pots with other plants or outside, mint is invasive and will take over. So, it’s best to give it its own space.
Rosemary
Rosemary is your best friend. This is a great herb if you love roasting chicken or making tomato and cream-based soups because of its aromatic leaves.
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 a well-draining potting mix. Never let the soil dry out.
I live in Texas and Rosemary grows like a shrub here. When I first started gardening, I put one in a bed, by the 3rd year it had taken over 1/3 of the entire 4’x8′ bed. Bear that in mind if you put it outside.
You Might Also Like: Rosemary: Everything You Need To Know
Parsley
This one is a staple and essential ingredient 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.
Do you know why it’s used as a garnish? It’s actually a breath freshener and digestive aid. You’re supposed to eat it at the end of your meal.
Grow in a deep small pot with rich, organic potting soil and provide strong light. A sunny location such as a sunny windowsill is a good place to ensure it gets enough sunlight.
Harvest individual fresh leaves by pinching stems off near the base. Also, it is advisable to feed the young plants with a half-strength liquid fertilizer every two weeks.
Thyme
To ensure good drainage, thyme seedlings can be started indoors in a well-draining potting mix. Place containers in areas that receive full sun.
However, this perennial plant can also grow in an east or west-facing window. Water when the soil’s surface on these small herb plants is dry before any wilting signs appear.
Chervil
Famous for its sweet anise-parsley flavor, chervil is perfect for Béarnaise sauce and pairs well with fish, potatoes, steamed carrots, and eggs.
Start chervil new seeds in moist potting soil in deep pots to give their tap roots room to grow. After sprouting, keep your new plants cool (60 to 70 degrees F) and give them moderate sun.
Replant every few weeks to keep plenty of fresh young tasty leaves on hand.
Herbs are often the easiest to grow indoors or out. They grow quickly and start well from seedlings. So if you were wondering when to start herbs indoors, 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.
FAQ: Growing Herbs Indoors Year Round
Q: What is the best fertilizer for herbs indoors?
Answer: A few good choices are granular fertilizer and liquid fertilizers that are organic and rich in nitrogen.
Q: Are bugs on herbs indoors an issue?
Answer: Yes, different bugs and adult fungi are a problem, especially gnats.
Q: Does growing herbs indoors attract bugs?
Answer: While most herbs produce a strong odor that deters most bugs, they can still attract pests like any plant.
Q: What are the best pots for growing herbs indoors?
Answer: Terra cotta pots are one of the best choices for many.
Q: What is the best soil for herbs indoors?
Answer: An indoor potting soil mixed with perlite or sharp sand is best for herbs.
Q: How often to water herbs indoors?
Answer: It’s best to water when the soil’s surface is dry but be sure to look up how much water each herb needs.
Do you have an indoor or outdoor herb garden? What are your favorite herbs to grow? How do you use them in dishes?
Leave a Reply