Growing Herbs Indoors

If variety is the spice of life, there is no quicker route to a healthier and more satisfying one than growing herbs indoors.  Even if you don’t have a green thumb, you’ll find that herbs are hardy and resilient plants that just needs to basics in order to thrive – and therefore, easy for anyone to grow.

Additionally, herbs are “the hardest working plants on earth” and in addition to their kitchen “chores” they can be used to add beauty to your environment, soothe your body and soul, and create medicinal remedies. In other words, there’s every reason to grow them – especially since you can move your garden inside and grow your herbs indoors using containers… not acres of land which makes growing herbs indoors easy.

This is made even easier since the vast majority of herbs are perennials, so they’re “the gifts that keep on giving”  – even if your winters are freezing! Just bring your container herb garden indoors and enjoy their abundant bounties year round!

And let’s face it, most chefs – and even decent cooks – know that fresh produce and herbs not only make our food taste better, but they also have numerous health benefits. And what better way is there to ensure that you use fresh herbs than to have them “at the ready” right in your kitchen?

Here are three simple tips to keep in mind to help you with your indoor herb garden.

1. ANY CONTAINER WILL WORK

You don’t need expensive, fancy, large or special containers to grow herbs.  Just about anything will do. However, I suggest that you choose containers that will enhance your home and ones in keeping with your decor (otherwise you’ll get tire of looking at them).

More importantly, however, your containers must have proper drainage; that is, at least one hole at the bottom at least 3/4 inch in diameter. If yours doesn’t have a drainage hole, be sure to drill one in the bottom (use a masonry bit). Yes, your herbs will love being watered, but they will die if they’re “drowned.”  I like lining the bottom of my pots with coffee filters. They’re a great – and inexpensive – way to ensure that the soil doesn’t leach out – something you’ll appreciate with an indoor herb garden!

You can be as creative as you want when choosing the types of containers you’ll use. Because of the growing popularity of container herb gardening, home and garden, as well as department, stores always have a variety of pots and planter options on hand. Strolling through the aisles of these stores might inspire you create your own unique assortment of containers.

But don’t hesitate to use old coffee cans, mugs, bonsai pots, jars, terrariums, and the like. Let your imagination be your guide!  Also, let your children paint old pots or tins for your indoor herbs – it’s a wonderful rainy day project!

By the way, if you have large containers or pots, it’s perfectly okay to plant more than one type of herb together. Just space them out at least 6 inches apart.

2. START FROM SEEDS OR PLANTS

One way to start your indoor herb garden is by growing the plants from seeds. Seed packets are available at nurseries and department, grocery, or specialty stores. I prefer to plant my seeds in seedling trays (again, they’re available in any store that sells gardening supplies).  Once they grow and take root, it’s easy to transfer them to larger containers ( just add some potting soil).

Alternatively, you can get a jump start on reaping your herbal bounties by purchasing small plants and placing them right into your containers. Aside from stores, I’ve had a lot of luck buying herb plants from gardeners at local farmer’s markets.

3. PLENTY OF HERBS TO PICK FROM

Since most indoor herb gardeners begin with kitchen herbs (but soon get addicted to all the others!) I’m often asked which ones are the best to grow first. In this instance, I usually tell them to take a look in their own pantries and/or favorite recipes and jot down the types of herbs they use most often. For instance, they could begin with the “lyrical” basics: parsley, sage, rosemary, and thyme. Then it’s easy to expand to basil, oregano, mint, chives, dill, and cilantro. And be sure to use them – Herbs thrive when they’re pruned and cut regularly – another reason to “contain” them in indoor pots.

I hope you’ve found these tips to be helpful and that you’re excited to find out why so many people worldwide love container herb gardening especially growing herbs indoors to compliment their home, their kitchens and their soul!