Growing herbs indoors allows gardeners to enjoy a bounty of fragrant and flavorful homegrown plants all year. With the right set-up and care, you can grow herbs indoors during the colder months when outdoor growing isn’t possible.
This guide covers the essential tips, tools and techniques for cultivating an indoor herb garden that provides harvests throughout the year.
Benefits of Indoor Herbs
Benefit | Description |
Fresh Flavor | Indoor herbs provide a constant supply of fresh, flavorful herbs for cooking, enhancing the taste of dishes. |
Convenience | Having herbs indoors means easy access to fresh herbs whenever needed, eliminating the need for trips to the store. |
Cost-Effective | Growing herbs indoors can save money compared to purchasing fresh herbs from the grocery store regularly. |
Health Benefits | Herbs are rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, providing various health benefits when consumed regularly. |
Aesthetics | Indoor herb gardens add beauty and greenery to indoor spaces, enhancing the overall ambiance of the environment. |
Educational | Growing herbs indoors can be a learning experience, teaching valuable skills in gardening and plant care. |
Stress Reduction | Gardening, even indoors, has been shown to reduce stress levels and promote relaxation and mental well-being. |
Getting Set Up for Indoor Herb Gardening
A successful indoor herb operation starts with selecting the optimal growing environment. Various factors need consideration to give herbs the conditions they prefer.
Choosing the Best Location in Your Home

The best area for an indoor herb garden needs bright, indirect light for most of the day.
Northeastern windowsills typically provide the preferred exposures.
South-facing locations should be supplemented with sheer curtains or a grow light to prevent scorching.
East and west aspects also require light diffusers, as the afternoon sun can be too strong. Interior spaces under skylights or near large windows generally work well.
Selecting the Right Grow Lights for Indoor Herbs

If window light won’t provide enough illumination, grow lights are essential to sustain herbs over winter. Full-spectrum LED panels closely mimic the sun’s composition.
Shop lights with standard fluorescent bulbs also work if hung 6–12 inches above plants. Place lights on a timer set to provide around 16 hours of light daily.
Determining the Best Containers for Herbs Based on Space

Many herbs thrive in compact containers that fit any indoor nook. For small kitchen windowsills, try terra cotta or plastic pots 4-6 inches wide.
Larger cachepots or depot-style planters suit countertops and tables. Hang pots on walls or patio fencing repurposed indoors. Self-watering or wick systems prevent dryness for containers elevated or distant from sinks.
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Soil Mixes for Nutrient-Rich Herb Growth

Drainage is key for container-grown herbs. The soil is composed of 1/3 organic matter, like compost. It is also 1/3 perlite, or coarse sand, and 1/3 potting soil.
This mix helps air and water move well. Sage and some other herbs like slightly richer soil. Add earthworm castings or fish emulsion to generic potting mix for extra nutrition.
Tools Needed to Care for Indoor Herb Garden

A few basic tools help with indoor herb care and harvests. Garden shears, pruners or scissors keep herbs tidy. Watering cans with long spouts reach plants.
Labels mark each herb to avoid mix-ups. Containers on trays or saucers catch excess water. Wick systems like self-watering spikes provide carefree moisture when traveling.
Herbs to Grow Indoors Year-Round

Some herbs thrive in any season in ideal environments. Here are a few top picks for continuous harvests without dormancy periods:
Basil Basics: Care, Harvesting, and Overwintering Tips
Sweet basil is one of the easiest herbs to cultivate indoors year-round. Provide warm temperatures above 70°F and generous sunlight.
Pinch stems frequently to encourage bushy growth. Snip individual leaves or whole stems of any size for use. To extend the season, take cuttings in autumn to root as new plants over winter under lights.
Cilantro and Parsley Preferences for Light, Water, and Containers
These cool-season herbs tolerate partial shade but thrive in sunny spots indoors. Keep the soil slightly moist but not soggy by watering only when the topsoil dries slightly.
Plant new seeds every 4–6 weeks. Or, move plants to keep getting steady crops. Airy containers allow roots to breathe.
Mint Marvels: Varieties, Handling Spread, Ideal Pots
Peppermint and spearmint grow well indoors. Contain roots in pots sunk into the soil, or use weighted pots to tame rampant rhizomes.
Pineapple mint stays more compact. Cut back on spent flowers to encourage new growth. Stake or train trailing varieties for controlled forms.
Caring for Your Indoor Herb Garden

Maintaining optimal growing conditions and following basic care practices keeps indoor herbs happily producing harvest after harvest throughout the seasons. Here are some tips:
Watering Needs Based on Light Levels and Soil Dryness
Check soil moisture daily by touching the top inch. Water thoroughly when slightly dry and allow the excess to drain, then resume checking.
Herbs near bright windows may need water every 2-3 days, while low-light plants go 5-7 days. For multi-plant containers, lift the pot weight to check if it is light.
Fertilizing Schedule for Continuous Harvests
Feed container plants lightly monthly, mid-spring through fall, with a diluted liquid fertilizer labeled for herbs and vegetables.
Feeding boosts healthy growth, flavor and yield. For hydroponic or self-watering pots, follow the dilution instructions on fertilizer packaging.
Pruning Methods to Encourage Bushy Growth
Pinch back leggy stems or remove flower buds on annual herbs like basil to encourage branching. Shearing perennial herbs by one-third after blooms fade reinvigorates foliage.
Regular trims maintain neat forms and stimulate more harvests all season.
General Tips for Maintaining Plant Health
Monitor indoor herb gardens weekly for signs of pests or issues. Rotate their positions monthly to ensure even growth.
Dust residual spray or wipe down leaves regularly to maximize light absorption. Trim away yellow or browned foliage as needed.
Dealing with Pests Indoors
While pests are less problematic inside than out, some still afflict herbs under glass. Identifying issues early helps prevent serious damage.
Identifying Common Herb Garden Insects
Check the undersides of leaves for small pests like aphids, thrips and spider mites. Mealybugs appear as fluffy masses along stems and leaves. Slugs and snails can damage basin containers set directly on soil.
Organic Remedies for Aphids, Spider Mites and More
To treat mild infestations naturally, wipe leaves with a q-tip dipped in diluted neem oil, insecticidal soap or hydrogen peroxide. Isolate infected plants. Release predatory mites for webs or ladybugs for aphids. Maintain strong plants through grooming.
Preventing Pest Problems Before They Start
Good sanitation and air circulation help. Inspect new plants for pests before introducing them. Prune away spent foliage that is prone to hiding issues.
Hose down leaf debris on surfaces periodically. Isolate and monitor first if introducing plants to an existing collection.
Overwintering Herbs
For beloved perennial herbs, these tricks squash dormancy and let the harvests continue indoors:
Dormancy Tricks for Rosemary, Sage and Other Warm Weather Herbs
Many Mediterranean herbs go dormant on cool nights below 55°F. Provide consistent day and night temperatures of at least 65°F under bright lights for non-stop growth.
Clipping spent blooms boosts foliage production. Cut stems back moderately for denser regrowth.
Preserving Cherished Plants Year After Year
To maintain special cultivars, propagate new plants before indoor conditions stress the parent. Take 4-6″ cuttings, remove leaves from the bottom half, and set stems in soil.
Maintain humidity and warmth until rooted. Dividing congested root balls in spring keeps plants vigorous.
Dividing and Propagating to Expand Your Collection
Sharing with friends increases the indoor herb harvest. Snap off new plantlets forming on the mother plant’s stems. Grow in their own pots with regular care.
Root stems in water first if soil causes damage. Label and arrange newly sprouted divisions for adoption.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How do I start to grow herbs indoors?
To start growing herbs indoors all year round, you’ll need a few essential items: pots or containers with good drainage, a suitable indoor location that receives direct sunlight or artificial grow light, quality potting soil, and, of course, your chosen herb plants.
What are the best herbs to grow indoors year round?
Herbs like basil, thyme, oregano, rosemary, parsley, and chives are excellent choices for indoor gardening as they are perennial and can thrive in an indoor environment year-round.
Do herbs need a lot of light to grow indoors?
Yes, herbs need a good amount of light to grow indoors successfully. If natural light is limited, consider using a grow light to supplement their light requirements, especially during the winter months when daylight hours are shorter.
What is the best way to harvest herbs grown indoors?
The best way to harvest your indoor herbs is by snipping off individual leaves or stems as needed. Make sure not to overharvest to allow the plants to continue growing and producing fresh herbs for a longer period of time.
Can I grow herbs indoors without natural sunlight?
While direct sunlight is ideal for most herbs.
Conclusion
With careful care for each variety’s needs, growing herbs indoors becomes easy. You can enjoy a bounty of fragrance and flavor at your fingertips year-round.
Using the tips in this guide creates the perfect environment. It optimizes light, temperature, moisture, and nutrition for continuous harvesting without dormancy.
Start small. Expand your collection over time by propagating cuttings. Growing herbs inside is a fulfilling way to garden in any season.