How to Grow Herbs Indoors: A Complete Guide

Growing your own herbs indoors is a surefire way to amp up your cooking skills and keep your home smelling fragrant and fresh. But where exactly do you start? 

Knowing how to grow your own herbs indoors requires some planning, planting, and pruning. However, with a little effort, you can achieve excellent results. 

Here, we guide you through how to grow herbs indoors, helping you save money on store-bought options while reaping the benefits of having your own fresh, flavourful ingredients right at your fingertips. 

Benefits of growing herbs indoors 

Convenience: You’ll have fresh herbs ready to use at your fingertips, eliminating the need to buy them repeatedly. 

Year-round availability: Even when the cold weather hits, you’ll have a steady supply of fresh herbs. 

Controlled environment: Growing herbs indoors helps to protect them from pests and harsh weather, which can affect their growth. 

Healthier cooking: Using fresh herbs will enhance the flavour of your food, and increasing the plants you consume will boost your nutritional value. 

Easiest herbs to grow indoors

When deciding which herbs to grow, you want to pick those that you’ll enjoy eating and those that will thrive in indoor conditions. 

These are some of the easiest herbs to grow indoors: 

Basil 

Basil is ideal for salads, sauces, and pesto. It grows quickly indoors, but for a long-lasting supply, you might have to frequently replant it. 

Parsley 

Parsley is a versatile herb that grows well indoors. It thrives with a little shade and can reach heights of up to two feet. 

Thyme

Thyme is an aromatic herb that is frequently used in soups, stews, and marinades. It grows best on a windowsill with plenty of sunshine and in well-draining soil. 

Mint 

Mint is a versatile herb for growth. It can be used in food and drinks. It’s best grown in a deep container to help contain its spread. 

Rosemary 

Rosemary will thrive all year round when it has adequate light. The Mediterranean herb needs good drainage. 

Setting up your indoor herb garden

Here’s what you need to think about before setting up your indoor herb garden. 

1. Containers: Choose pots with drainage holes to prevent waterlogging. There are huge varieties of styles, allowing you to pick a container that matches your decor. Use something underneath the containers to help protect the surface they’re sitting on. 
2. Potting Mix: Choose a well-draining potting mix specifically designed for herbs. Don’t use garden soil, as it’s too dense and may not provide the right amount of drainage. 
3. Location: Choose a spot for your herbs to thrive, a windowsill that gets around six to eight hours of sunlight a day. 

Watering and feeding your herbs

Knowing when to water and feed your herbs can make a big difference to their growth and longevity. Follow these tips: 

Water your herbs two to three times a week. It’s best to check the soil with your finger, poke the soil and if it comes out clean then it’s time to water. 

Distilled water is often the best option for watering your herbs, as tap water contains salt and chlorine, which may harm your herbs over time. If you do use tap water, then switch it out for distilled water at least once a month to prevent buildup. 

During the growing season, you can use Herb Focus, to encourage growth thanks to the essential nutrients it contains. 

Best tips for successful indoor herb growth 

Get the most out of your indoor herb growth with these tips to encourage a plant that flourishes. 

Pruning: Regularly trim herbs like basil, mint and rosemary to promote bushier growth and stop them from becoming leggy. 

Rotation: Move your herb pots frequently to ensure that your plants get the light hitting them at all angles. 

Monitor for pests: Watch your herbs for signs of pests or diseases. If you notice anything, act quickly before the whole plant is ruined. 

Harvesting: It’s best to harvest your herbs early in the morning when they’re at their freshest. Regularly harvesting them encourages growth, which means you reap the benefits of a continuous supply of delicious herbs. 

Growing herbs together 

Some herbs, such as rosemary, thyme, and lavender, can be grown together in drier soil. However, it’s also important to know which herbs won’t thrive in the same pots indoors. Herbs like mint, basil, and chives will thrive with more moisture. 

You must group herbs with similar watering needs in the same container to prevent overwatering or underwatering. 

How to grow herbs indoors

Knowing how to grow herbs indoors takes a little bit of knowledge and a lot of patience. But if you can master those two things and follow our simple tips and tricks, you can create a thriving indoor herb garden that will supply you with fresh ingredients all year round. 

Enjoy the process of nurturing your herbs, and if you want any specific advice, please visit us in store, where our helpful staff will only be happy to help. 

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