How to Grow Herbs Indoors for Cooking and Decor
Wondering on how to grow herbs indoors for cooking and decor? Growing your own herbs is a great way to kick off your gardening season before you can start growing vegetables outdoors.
And, by growing herbs indoors, you’ll have fresh herbs available all year round.
We have outlined some useful tips to guide you, some of the best herbs to grow indoors and simple tips to help you care for them.
Tips on How to Grow Herbs Indoors for Cooking and Decor
These are the tips on how to grow herbs indoors for cooking and decor;
1. Light
Herbs grow best in full sunlight. For indoor herbs, place them by a sunny window, preferably one that faces south or southwest. If you don’t get enough sunlight, use an LED grow light to help.
Your herbs need 12-14 hours of light every day. If they don’t get enough light, they might grow a bit tall and weak, but they’ll still taste good. Remember to turn your plant a little every week to help it grow evenly.
2. Watering
Herbs need water, but not too much. Use your finger to check the soil; to know when to add water.
If it still feels damp, wait a little longer before checking again. Overwatering can damage the roots.
3. Humidity
Herbs like a little extra moisture in the air, especially in dry winter months. If your kitchen has a window above the sink, this spot can help.
You can also place your pots on a tray with pebbles and water, which helps add moisture around the plants. Alternatively, use a plant humidifier nearby.
4. Temperature
Herbs prefer temperatures between 65-75°F, just like we do. Don’t let your herbs touch cold windows, especially in winter.
Most herbs can tolerate cooler temperatures at night, but basil prefers it to stay around 70°F.
5. Fertilizer
Indoor herbs need a bit of help since they don’t get nutrients from the soil or rain. Use a balanced plant food or liquid fish fertilizer.
Apply it every other week at half the recommended amount, but only when the herbs are actively growing.
What are the Best Herbs to Grow Indoors?
Some of the greatest herbs to cultivate indoors are:
1. Basil
Basil is a must-have herb in many kitchens, especially for dishes with tomatoes. It’s easy to grow indoors, just plant seeds or small plants in rich potting soil. Basil needs heat and plenty of sunlight, so put it by a south or west-facing window, or use a grow light.
It doesn’t like cold spots, so avoid drafts in winter. Basil won’t last long as an indoor plant, but you can enjoy it for a few weeks before it starts to get woody. To keep it fresh, plant a new batch every few weeks.
2. Bay Laurel
Bay laurel is a Mediterranean plant with strong, flavorful leaves used in soups and stews. Plant it in fast-draining soil and place it in a bright window.
It needs good air circulation to stay healthy and avoid pests, like scale insects. Neem oil can help control them if needed.
3. Chervil
Chervil is an annual herb with a mild anise-parsley flavor, often used in French cooking. It’s great in sauces and pairs well with fish, eggs, and vegetables.
Plant chervil in moist, deep pots to allow its roots to grow. Keep it cool and give it moderate sun. Replant every few weeks to keep fresh leaves coming.
4. Chives
Chives have a mild onion flavor and are great in eggs, soups, and salads. Use scissors to snip individual leaves, or trim the whole plant to keep it tidy.
Plant chives in rich soil and place them in bright light, like a south-facing window.
5. Mint
Mint comes in many varieties, like peppermint, spearmint, and chocolate. It’s great for tea, drinks, desserts, and salads.
Because mint spreads easily, keep it in a pot to prevent it from taking over. It needs moist soil and moderate to strong light. Mint is a hardy plant and can tolerate cooler temperatures.
6. Oregano
Mediterranean, Mexican, and Italian recipes all benefit greatly from the addition of oregano. It enhances the flavor of stews, meats, and sauces.
Like mint, it requires moderate to intense sunshine and watering when the soil is dry. Dried oregano has a stronger flavor than fresh, so use it in cooking as needed.
7. Parsley
Parsley adds bright color and flavor to many dishes, from soups to salads. It’s used in tabbouleh and pesto and pairs well with chicken, fish, and vegetables.
Plant parsley in deep pots with rich soil and give it strong light. You can harvest leaves by pinching the stems off near the base.
8. Rosemary
Rosemary has a strong, earthy fragrance and is great in meat dishes, soups, and sauces.
It grows best in sunny, dry spots during summer but prefers cooler temperatures (40-65°F) in the winter, as long as it gets plenty of light. Snip sprigs for cooking, or mince the leaves for extra flavor.
Simple Tips for Caring for Indoor Herbs
These are some of the tips to help you care for your indoor herbs;
1. Don’t Overwater: Herbs don’t like wet soil. Stick your finger into the soil about 1 inch deep, if it feels dry or barely moist, water until it starts draining from the bottom.
2. Water with Care: Only water when the soil is dry, and avoid keeping herbs in soggy soil. Overwatering can harm their roots.
3. Fertilize Once a Month: Feed your herbs once a month with a half-strength liquid fertilizer, or use an organic option like fish emulsion. Too much fertilizer can make your herbs flower, but you want the leaves.
4. Rotate Weekly: Turn your potted herbs once a week so all sides get sunlight and the plant grows evenly.
5. Keep Herbs Away from Windows: Don’t let your herbs touch the window. In winter, the cold can freeze them, and in summer, the heat can burn them.
6. Provide Plenty of Light: Herbs need sunlight. Place them near a sunny window or use a grow light, especially for herbs like basil that need a lot of light.
7. Expect Slower Growth Indoors: Herbs grow slower indoors due to weaker sunlight. The leaves may also be thinner and lighter in color than those grown outside.
8. Watch for Pests: Check your plants regularly for pests like scale or aphids. If you see any trace of pests, use natural remedies like neem oil to treat them.
9. Give Them Space: Make sure your herbs have enough room to grow. Overcrowding can lead to poor growth and more disease.
10. Prune Regularly: Trim your herbs to encourage fresh growth and to keep them from getting leggy or woody.
Growing herbs indoors is a fun and fulfilling way to bring fresh flavors to your kitchen. With the right care, plenty of sunlight, careful watering, and the right containers, you can enjoy your own homegrown herbs all year round.
Choose a container that allows for good drainage, like a terra-cotta pot, and keep an eye on your plants’ needs.
Rotate them regularly, avoid overwatering, and give them enough light, and you’ll have a healthy, thriving herb garden in no time.
Even if you’re adding basil to pasta or mint to your tea, indoor herbs are a simple way to enhance your cooking with fresh, flavorful ingredients.
