Growing Herbs Indoors In 2023
Are you thinking of growing herbs indoors but don’t know where to start? So, relax and put all your worries down the drain! Here is a complete guide to growing the best herbs indoors. So, without wasting any time, let’s get started.
Growing Herbs Indoors
Herbs have a great medicinal and Culinary value. We all love to have a herb garden in our home. They are entirely organic and have an incredible taste as well. They even help you in getting rid of colds. Isn’t it amazing?
So, if you want your herbs kitchen garden to thrive, stick with me till the end. And I will make sure to provide every single detail on herbs. Before we begin, I’d like to give you some helpful information about indoor herb gardening.
Indoor Herb Gardening: Pot to Plate
Growing herbs at home are called indoor herb gardening. Herbs have a juicy and fleshy stem and have an incredible aroma. Herbs are one of the easiest vegetables or plants to grow in your backyard.
Herbs can be grown anywhere you want, but it’ll be better to place them on your kitchen windowsill. This way, you can add fresh and juicy herbs when you are cooking.
There are many different varieties of herbs. I have divided them into three basic categories depending upon their usage. Let’s discuss them one by one:
Culinary Herbs
Culinary herbs are unique types of herbs. They are also called kitchen herbs. As the name shows, they are grown for cooking purposes. Every country or region has its unique way of incorporating herbs into its dishes. Culinary herbs are divided into three main types, i.e., Annual herbs, Biennial, and Perennial herbs.
Why Should You Grow Herbs?
Well! If you haven’t yet tried growing herbs in your garden, your garden is missing something great. I would say that a garden without herbs is like fish without water. Funny eh? Well! On a serious note, here are a few of the many reasons you should have your own kitchen herb garden.
Great in Taste
Cooking and gardening go side by side. Those who love cooking would love to have their own garden. One special moment while making dinner is when you think, “Let’s add fresh parsley and thyme.” You run to your garden, pull them out, and add them to your dinner. Amazing.
Looking After Your Health
Herbs grown indoors are completely organic. Herbs have plenty of health benefits. Studies have shown that rosemary can help you in reducing inflammation and boosting your immunity.
Oregano is another example. It has a lsrge amount of antioxidants that help you fight cancer. If you have pain in your belly, lemon balm is a great cure.
Thyme is rich in vitamins A and C, while parsley is good for your bones. And these are just a few examples!
Great Aroma for Your Home
The best part about herbs is they smell great. The Herbs like mint and rosemary have a great aroma. They are also called fragment herbs.
How To Grow Herbs Indoors?
Herbs have many types, and each herb has its specific growth period and environmental conditions. So, before we start the step-by-step guide on growing indoor herbs, I encourage you to research.
When you buy a seed package, check for instructions on the back. It’s especially helpful for beginners. Most of the herbs have similar requirements for sun, soil, water, organic fertilizer, etc.
Seed VS Seedlings
You can start with the seed or seedling; it’s your choice; Both work fine. But if you are a beginner, I would recommend using seedlings as they grow faster and require less care.
Lots of Sunlight
Sunlight is proportional to the growth of herbs. That’s why most of the herbs need ample sunlight. Greater the amount of the sun, the greater the rate of photosynthesis. Photosynthesis plays a vital role in the production of sugar, which helps the plant grow.
Most of the herbs need 4 to 5 hours of minimum sunlight, while 8 to 9 hours is ideal.
Soil for Growing Herbs Indoor
Herbs need well-drained and porous soil. You can add compost to your basic garden soil to make it porous and help in retaining moisture. If you have clay soil, you can add sand to increase its water holding capacity.
Choosing the Right Fertilizer
The best thing about herbs is they are not heavy feeders. Most herbs like rosemary, oregano rarely need fertilizer. They can grow even without it.
Yet, it would be better if you provide your perennial herbs with food, but short-lived herbs can grow even without fertilizer.
But here is one exception as well; Basil. It needs an ample amount of rich organic fertilizer to grow.
Watering the Herbs
The most crucial factor in growing herbs is watering the herbs. The reason is the Climate of each area varies, and so is the demand for water as well. It also depends on your pot’s size, and at which time of year you are growing your herbs.
Some herbs like thyme and sage are drought tolerant, while others need a damp medium. Make sure that your soil is not too dry or wet.
You can perform a finger test as well. Stick your fingers almost 2-3-inch-deep, and if the soil is wet, don’t water your herbs.
Note: Never over-water your herbs; there are chances that they may die.
Best Herbs To Grow Indoors
As of now, you know how to grow herbs; the next step is to decide what kinds of herbs you would like to grow.! The best indoor growing herbs are those that are leafy and have faster growth as compared to other herbs. Don’t forget to take a clipping from them; it will help them to grow.
They are not very expensive, so you can replace them if their growth is not up to mark.
Some of the Best Indoor Growing Herbs
Basil
Basil is the most widely used herb for cuisines throughout the world. Its leaves are used in salads and sandwiches. It is also used as an ingredient in many sauces.
The Basil plant is summer-loving and loves to grow in the heat. It requires ample sun throughout the day. In winter or colder areas with shorter days and less sunlight, you can use artificial grow lights.
Keep in mind that Basil stops growing in shady or draft spots. Place them near your window where the temperature is ideal.
Basil is a short-term houseplant. To ensure basil herb availability 24/7, make sure to sow a new batch of basil seeds every 3 or 4 weeks.
Bay laurel
If you are a soup lover, you must have heard of this Mediterranean shrub. You can store its leaves and dry them for storage. Have you heard the saying, OLD IS GOLD? Well! It fits on bay laurel; the older the leaves, the stronger the flavor.
Like most herbs, bay laurel herbs need well-drained soil that helps them to retain maximum moisture.
Note: Bay laurel is frequently attacked by the pests having a shield-like appearance. They mostly attack its leaves and stem. But don’t worry! You can control them with a spray of neem extract.
Chervil
Have you ever heard of French fines herbs? Well! Yeah, you guessed it right. Chervil is one of the four main herbs that are used to make French fine herbs. The other three are parsley, tarragon, and chives.
Chervil is extensively used in French cuisines. Not only that, but it is also used as an essential ingredient in Bearnaise sauce, and you can add it leaves them in your egg omelet and salad as well.
Always sow the chervil seeds in moist soils. Unlike other herbs, it doesn’t require ample heat or sunlight. It grows well in a cold temperature of 65-73 degrees F. Don’t forget to plant a new batch of chervil seeds every 4-5 weeks so that you keep on getting fresh and juicy leaves supply.
Mint
Mint is one of the favorite herbs to grow indoors. And the reason is its diverse usage. I love to have peppermint tea in the morning. If you are a tea lover, peppermint should be on your list. It helps you in easing an upset stomach, and guess what? It will reduce your weight as well. Mint leaves pair well with different varieties of salads and desserts as well.
It needs a moderate but not too much cold temperature. It grows well in well-drained and moist soils. Keep it near your window so that it can receive sufficient light and heat as well.
Oregano
Oregano belongs to a mint family. It is widely used as an essential ingredient in Italian, Middle Eastern, and Central American cuisine. You can add it to tomato sauce, soups and stews as well
Oregano has great medicinal importance. It is used to treat respiratory tract infections. If you or anyone from your family has asthma, make sure to use oregano leaves in your morning tea.
Its dried leaves have a pungent smell. Like other varieties of mint, oregano also needs moderate light and heat.
Note: Be careful while watering oregano plants. Read the plant carefully and avoid overwatering or letting them dry as well.
Chives
Chives and onions are called twin brothers. And the reason is they are similar in taste. Chives are a widely used kitchen ingredient throughout the world.
You can add them to salads, egg mayonnaise, sandwiches, and indifferent soup items as well. The best thing about chives is not their leaves but their flowers. They are incredible in taste and are used as a garnish as well.
Like most herbs, Chives grow well in bright light. They need 8-9 hours of sunlight and moist organic soil.
Note: Unlike other herbs, they need more time and care to grow. Purchase seedlings instead of seeds.
Parsley
Parsley herb is a Complete Package. It is one of the most important herbs that you should have in your kitchen garden. It has plenty of health benefits. This iron-rich herb boosts up your immune system and is full of cancer-fighting antioxidants.
Besides its use as a garnish, it is used in almost every single dish. It tastes great when used in stuffed chicken.
Note: Parsley is a heavy feeder, so it needs rich organic soil.
Rosemary
Rosemary herbs are also called fragment herbs. They are used as a seasoning in various dishes, i.e., soups, stews, casseroles, etc.
Rosemary herbs have great medicinal importance as well. One cup of rosemary tea can help you in digestion and improve your eye health.
The best thing about rosemary is that it is heat-tolerant, but it can grow in winters. It needs a temperature of 41-66 degrees F in winters. But make sure that your herbs are getting ample light.
Thyme
Having a versatile flavor and many varieties, this Mediterranean herb is widely used all over the world. Its most common variety, thymus Vulgaris, is used to make savory thyme beans with a mouthwatering taste.
Furthermore, thyme oil is prescribed by doctors to treat stomachache and arthritis.
Thyme loves cooler temperatures, but not less than 45 degrees F. Grow them in moist soil and water according to the plant’s needs. Make sure to do not to let it wilt.
Conclusion
Growing herbs indoors can be very rewarding, especially when you start to make use of them in your kitchen. This journey of growing the best herbs indoors to plate is worth remembering. You are good to go if you have followed our guide: how to grow herbs indoors.
Don’t forget to share your experience of growing your own Herbs kitchen garden via the comment section. I am excited to hear from your side.