Grow Herbs Indoors Year-Round: A Complete Guide

Don't lament winter's lack of fresh herbs—create a mini herb garden on a sunny windowsill and enjoy flavor all year. Chives, mint, parsley, thyme, and more thrive indoors.

What You'll Need

Location. Herbs need sun—6+ hours daily. South-facing windows best; east/west work. North-facing won't suffice. Supplement with fluorescent/grow lights 8 inches above plants if needed.

Ideal temperature: 65–70°F (18–21°C) days, dipping to low 60s/mid 50s nights.

Containers. Must have drainage holes. Minimum 6 inches across for root space. Larger pots dry slower, need less watering.

Soil. Well-drained is essential. Use potting/planting mix for containers—doesn't get overly moist like garden soil.

Herbs. Many adapt indoors. Easiest: chives, lemongrass, mint, oregano, parsley, thyme. Basil and rosemary need extra care.

11 Essential Herbs for Your Edible Garden

Planting Herbs

Sources for your indoor garden:

• Outdoor transplants: Bring in fall, pot up. Rosemary may drop leaves adjusting to lower light but recovers.
• Nursery transplants: Great way to start.
• From seed: Basil and chives are easiest.

Root from cuttings: Inexpensive, using garden cuttings or grocery-store sprigs. Works well with basil, mint.

Take leafy stem, remove lower leaves, place in clear water (no leaves submerged). Roots appear in days. Change water every other day. When roots reach 1 inch, transplant to potting mix.

Caring for Indoor Herbs

Watering. Herbs hate wet soil. Check moisture 1 inch down—if barely moist/dry, water until it drains out bottom.

Fertilizing. Don't overfertilize (promotes flowers, not leaves). Monthly with half-strength liquid fertilizer, or organic like fish emulsion.

Other Tips

• Rotate pots weekly for even sun/growth.
• Keep herbs off window glass—outdoor temps freeze/burn leaves.
• Indoor growth is slower; leaves thinner, lighter green due to weaker light (especially basil).

Harvesting. Cut up to ⅓ of an herb at a time, oldest stems first—promotes flavorful new growth.

Growing herbs indoors takes effort, but fresh flavor year-round is worth it.