Which herbs grow well indoors?
Some good herb varieties to try growing indoors would be rosemary, thyme, marjoram, oregano, bay, lemon grass, mint, parsley, chives, scented geraniums, lemon balm, tarragon, lemon verbena, lavender and sage. You should always use a quality potting mix designed for indoor plants, like Miracle-Gro Organic™ Indoor Potting Mix, which allows for proper drainage and airflow so your herbs can flourish. This organic mix is also lightweight enough to support the delicate roots of seedlings, making it great for starting seeds.Before we begin, one important note: Any container used for growing herbs (and most any plant, really) needs to have good drainage. Different types of pots can be used, but just assume that adequate drainage is non-negotiable, and you’ll save yourself a lot of headaches.Indoor potting mix is the go-to choice for indoor herbs because it helps water drain well and allows roots to grow and breathe. Stay away from gardening soil as indoor potting mix is lighter and won’t stay compacted when wet. You can also add perlite to your potting mix.Herbs require excellent drainage and moist (but not wet) soil. If your soils are heavy, it’s better to plant your herbs in containers so you can have a lighter soil mix. If you have a very wet climate, there’s no way to ease drainage in the ground.For edible indoor herbs, veggies, and smaller potted plants, natural plant fertilizers that include liquid humus, composted manures, seaweed, etc. You can find organic and hybrid natural plant fertilizers in both soluble liquid and dry forms.
Where is the best place to plant herbs indoors?
Herbs are best placed near a South facing window to get an adequate amount of sun. If your home Is susceptible to low light, we recommend getting an artificial substitute as most herbs do best with about 6 or more hours of light. Indoor herbs require anywhere from four to eight hours of light each day depending on the specific type of plant. For herbs that need more sunlight, place them near a south-facing window as they’ll receive more light. East-facing windows are a good place for herbs that need partial sunlight.Many herb gardeners report that they have had good results watering once or twice each week. Just make sure that the soil around the base of the herb does not become too dry. The big mistake would be to overwater because it is convenient for you. Don’t do that.Rosemary likes full sun and does not tolerate any shade. This means it requires at least six hours of direct sunlight on most days. A south-facing window is ideal for indoor growth, and grow lights are often necessary to provide supplemental light.Let There Be Light A lack of adequate sunlight will dramatically reduce the flavor of your herbs. For novice gardeners out there, you may taste that your plant isn’t doing well before you see it. Ideally, you want to place herbs in a window that will receive at least six hours of sunlight a day.A good rule of thumb for most herbs is to water about once per week. During extreme heat or drought conditions, sometimes twice per week will be needed. Water in the cooler hours of the morning, between 6 – 10 am, to avoid evaporation and allow for deep root soaking.
Can I grow herbs indoors all year?
Herbs make a great addition to a garden, but they can also be grown indoors. You can grow them as year-round houseplants or just in winter to protect tender herbs such as basil. Growing herbs indoors offers many benefits, including: Fragrant foliage that invigorates your space. Basil – basil can be really hard to grow indoors. You could certainly plant it to keep the herbs fresh for longer than those that are cut, but basil is happiest in the ground with lots of bright sun and compost-rich soil. See how to propagate basil here.These herbs tolerate the lower light levels, low humidity, and cooler temperatures indoors, making them the best herbs to start with when growing herbs inside your home. Parsley, mint, chives, basil, oregano, cilantro and thyme are all great candidates to grow indoors.To grow herbs in winter, choose a truly sunny window (southern exposure) that gets at least six hours of sun per day. Because that can be a hard requirement to fulfill, many gardeners prefer to use grow lights instead or in addition to window light.The key to successfully growing basil indoors is light. As with many other herbs, basil is a true sun-lover—place it near a sunny, south-facing window where it gets six to eight hours of bright light every day, and it will thrive. Alternatively, basil does exceptionally well under grow lights.
Can I grow rosemary indoors?
Rosemary is a large, shrubby herb that is normally grown outdoors, but potted plants can be grown indoors if you give them some special tending and attention. Rosemary thrives on lots of light and a precise watering cadence that ensures its loamy soil stays well-hydrated without getting waterlogged. In the vegetable garden, most everything has to be replanted each season. Not so with that other main class of edibles – herbs. A majority of herbs are perennials throughout most of the United States. That means they come back year after year and usually get bigger or spread in territory each year.If the herb is a perennial, it’ll come back in the spring. If it’s not, you can always save the seeds from the plant and use them next spring.The easiest herbs to grow are perennial herbs you can buy in pots – these include rosemary, mint, chives and oregano. Chives are also easy to grow from seed (see below) and one of the fastest-growing herbs is cress. A perennial herb is one that keeps growing throughout the year and beyond.Many of each kind can grow successfully indoors, but know that the annual (or biannual) herbs will last a season, and the perennial herbs can grow for years!Perennial herbs like sage, thyme, lavender, chives and mint do not need to be replanted each year. But annuals like basil and cilantro will not survive an Iowa winter – so they must be replanted each spring. To make matters more confusing, dill, fennel, and a few other annual herbs reseed each year.
Can you make an indoor herb garden?
An indoor herb garden is rewarding, attractive, low-cost and low-risk. All you need are a couple of pots to grow in, seeds, a bag of soil, and a sunny window. If growing from seeds, the fast-growing herbs are: basil, cilantro, and dill. Basil can be ready within 50-60 days, and cilantro is the same. Dill is the fastest, as it is ready in about 40 days.Many of each kind can grow successfully indoors, but know that the annual (or biannual) herbs will last a season, and the perennial herbs can grow for years!Seeds for a hardy perennial like rosemary, mint, sage, oregano, and thyme typically need between 4 and 14 days. Herbs that are started by seed indoors about 6 to 8 weeks before your last frost date are typically ready to harvest about 1 month after they’re transplanted outdoors.Or if you forgot to plant them, you don’t need to wait until next spring. Basil, oregano, mint, chives, sage, rosemary, and thyme are the easiest herbs to grow indoors, whether you have them in the garden already or wish to plant them now.
What herbs should not be grown indoors?
If you’ve had trouble growing indoor plants, stay away from temperamental herbs. Basil, cilantro and sage, for example, are difficult to grow inside even in the summer. Stick to plants that are more carefree, like oregano, parsley, lemongrass, chives and mint. Herbs like basil, rosemary, oregano, and bay laurel need full sun to thrive and should not be planted in low-light areas. Stick with leafy, cooler-weather herbs for the best results in shady spots.Most herbs need a lot of sunlight to grow. A spot beside a south facing window is generally good. If you have a sunny kitchen windowsill this is ideal, as your herbs will grow close to where you will use them. If your herbs don’t have enough sun, they may get ‘leggy’ (growing with very long stems between the leaves).
How to grow herbs in winter indoors?
To grow herbs in winter, choose a truly sunny window (southern exposure) that gets at least six hours of sun per day. Because that can be a hard requirement to fulfill, many gardeners prefer to use grow lights instead or in addition to window light. Sun Exposure: Herbs generally do best in full sun, although there are some that will tolerate partial shade. Soil: Plant needs vary, but in general herbs appreciate soil that has been amended with adequate amounts of organic matter or compost. Good drainage is also critical, especially with many of the perennial herbs.If possible, prepare the soil several weeks before planting. For best results, plant herbs where they will receive sun all day. Some, such as parsley and mint, are tolerant of partial shade.Proper Sunlight Most herbs need 6 hours of direct sunlight. Either place herbs in a sunny location, for example, near a window with a southern exposure, or place herbs 6 to 12 inches from two 40-watt, cool white fluorescent bulbs for 14 to 16 hours.