Nothing welcomes spring quite like a collection of potted herbs placed in a row near a bright window or atop a portable kitchen cart. Now is the perfect time to grow an indoor herb garden — all you need is a little water and soil, a few pretty pots, and some sunshine. Add a little greenery to your kitchen decor, and fresh flavor to your cooking, with these tips on how to grow your own kitchen herb garden this spring!
Growing Herbs Indoors
Culinary Herbs are easy to grow indoors, and are a great place to start for beginning gardeners. Start by purchasing healthy looking plants from your local garden center (it’s easier to start with healthy plants than with seeds).
Pots: Choose pots that are at least six inches or larger, and make sure they have drainage holes. The larger the pot, the more room to grow. Anything from galvanized metal buckets and inexpensive plastic pots, to handmade wooden troughs and glazed ceramic pots will do, depending on your kitchen design style.
Soil: Use a fast draining, premium potting mix specified for herbs and vegetables, with lightweight ingredients like perlite or vermiculite to help keep the soil loose and aerated.
Water: Water needs will vary depending on the type of herbs you plant, and the size of the pots they are in, but it’s generally a good idea to keep the soil consistently moist. If you stick your finger into the soil about an inch down and it feels dry, it’s time to water your herbs. Just don’t overwater, or your plants will surely not survive.
Sunshine: Herbs love sunshine, but direct heat may scorch their leaves. Once planted, place your potted herbs where they will get filtered, indirect light, such as a windowsill above the kitchen sink, or a countertop near a sunny glass door. Herbs prefer the same indoor temperatures as people do — around 60-75 degrees Fahrenheit.
Culinary Herbs Perfect For An Indoor Garden
- Basil (Sweet, Genovese, Italian Large-Leafed, Mexican Cinnamon, Lemon)
- Bay
- Chamomile
- Chervil
- Chives
- Cilantro
- Dill
- Lavender
- Lemon Balm
- Marjoram
- Mint (Sweet, Chocolate, Peppermint, or Spearmint)
- Oregano (Greek or Italian)
- Parsley (Flat Italian or Curled)
- Rosemary
- Sage
- Tarragon
- Thyme (German or Lemon)
Once your herbs take to their pots and begin to grow, you should feed them with a liquid fertilizer every four weeks or so. Using your fresh herbs for cooking will help keep plants trim and tidy.
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