Grow an Indoor Herb Garden

There is something to be said for having fresh herbs at hand in the form of an indoor herb garden. Whether you have an indoor herb garden year-round or only during winter, it’s awesome having fresh herbs to cook with. I love my herbs and hate to be without them just because it’s cold outside. So this means I need to move them inside if I want to continue to enjoy them during cold weather.

Preparing an indoor herb garden isn’t difficult but it does take some planning. Especially if you don’t have a sunny window for them to reside in. Read on for ways that you can (and why you should) grow an indoor herb garden even in the depths of winter!

Why should I grow an indoor herb garden?

1. Because it’s easy! Most herbs are low maintenance and require only a little water, light and occasional pruning.
2. An indoor herb garden is economical. Have you seen the price of dried spices at the store lately? You can spend a few cents to grow oregano all year long. Or you can spend $4 for a small jar of the stuff that might last only a couple of months!
3. Along the same lines, you should grow herbs to prevent waste. You can certainly purchase a bundle of cilantro at the store but you may not be able to use it all before it starts to wilt. That’s the opposite of economical!
4. How about convenience! You don’t have to go any further than your window sill to snip fresh herbs for dinner or to make a cup of tea.
5. If you’re a little insecure about your ability to grow anything, herbs are a good place to start. It’s a great confidence boost to enjoy a meal jazzed up with herbs you grew yourself!
6. You can make your own homemade spice mixes. Now you no longer have any excuse for boring, bland meals!

What do I need to grow an indoor herb garden?

First, you don’t need a lot of space. Even people who live in tiny apartments are able to grow something. What you do need is 6-8 hours of direct sunlight. The best sunlight comes from the south…so a south-facing window is best for optimal growth.

With that said, some herbs are fine with indirect light or less than 6 hours. Make sure you know your plants needs before you start.

 

 

 

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Can you grow an indoor herb garden without sunlight?

Yes, you can! If you don’t have direct sunlight, you can compensate with grow lights. However, you don’t want your grow lights running 24/7/365. The rule of thumb is to run a grow light two hours for every hour of direct sunlight. So, if a plant needing 8 hours of sunlight is only getting 6 hours, you would run your grow light for four additional hours after the sun has faded. You could put your lights on a timer to help with this. And don’t feel bad about turning the light off at night. Plants need rest too!

What kind of light is best to grow an indoor herb garden?

As I mentioned, most herbs need anywhere from six to eight hours of direct sunlight in order to thrive through the winter months. In lieu of direct sunlight, some plants can handle indirect sunlight. When you don’t have either, grow lights are your best bet. You want a light that provides full-spectrum or natural white light. The good news is that grow lights have become so popular that you can find them is many shapes, sizes and price ranges. You can even find some grow lights that clip right onto your table or plant stand!

What are the best herbs for an indoor herb garden?

The easy answer is: the herbs you reach for the most. You know better than anyone the herbs and herb spices you use the most. Start with those. If you’re a first-time herb grower, start with 3-5 herbs until you get a handle on growing them.

If you already have an outside herb garden, you can take cuttings to propagate, or root, for planting indoors. This is the best way to start in indoor herb garden since it not only saves time but money as well. If you’re growing from seed, you’ll want to choose dwarf or compact varieties and be patient. Some seeds take a little longer to germinate than others.

 – The best plants for cuttings (propagation)…

These are oregano, rosemary, sage, thyme and mint. These herbs also make your home smell really nice! Basil is one of those plants that can grow quickly from seed or cutting. If Basil is on your list and you use a lot of it, you’ll want to root several stems or plan to grow several plants.

– Plants that prefer full sun…

Or in the absence of full sun, will need 12-16 hours of grow light: basil, oregano, parsley, rosemary and sage. FYI…plants grown in strong light generally have a more intense flavor.

– Plants that can handle indirect light…

Or plants that can handle less than 6 hours of sunlight: Mint, thyme and parsley. Yes, you read that right…parsley can grow in direct and indirect light. So if you’re planning a grouping, parsley gives you the flexibility of location.

 

A word about grouping:

For outdoors, grouping several herbs in a pot is fine. But indoors each herb should have its own pot. This makes it easier to separate one plant from the group in case of disease. Also, some herbs have a watering preference that may not jive with the other plants in that group.

What kind of soil should I use for an indoor herb garden?

In the past, I’ve used soil from my garden. My mind said that it was what my plants are used to. Why change just because they’re moving inside? However, I’ve since changed my stance after reading that I could be bringing bugs and disease inside as well. After doing some research, I found strong recommendations for any organic mix that did not contain peat moss.

Why no peat moss?

According to Better Homes and Gardens, “peat moss is not harvested heavily and is able to meet the current demand. However, it can’t recover at a fast enough rate for it to be considered a renewable resource. Despite restoration efforts, peat moss probably can’t be harvested again in the same quantities from the same bog for a thousand years. Also, when peat moss is removed from the earth, it releases stored carbon dioxide which is bad for the climate.”  So there’s that.

Most of the recommendations I found suggested using a soil containing coconut coir. Coconut coir is natural, sustainable and pH neutral. You can also look for soil that contains paper fibers or compost.

A word about pot size and watering…

The style of pot you choose is a personal preference. But for best results, choose a clay or glazed pot depending on your plants needs. For instance, clay pots will suck the moisture from the soil faster, requiring you to water more often. Some plants don’t like to be dry. So a glazed or ceramic pot might be a better option.

Size matters too. Basil, for instance, has a long root system and will require a deeper pot. Also, it’s hard to keep soil moist in a pot that’s too big for the plant. By the same token, placing a plant in a pot that is too small may stunt the growth of that plant.

Whatever pot you choose, make sure it’s the right size for the plant, has good drain holes and preferably, a saucer to catch overflow.  If your pot didn’t come with a saucer, you can place a shallow tray or pie plate under the pot. The last thing you want is your plant to die from root rot due to lack of drainage. Worse, you ruin a perfectly good table top because a plant continued to leak after being watered.

Water slowly and thoroughly:

Give the soil a chance to absorb that moisture. You don’t necessarily have to water according to a rigid schedule either. And your plants would probably prefer you didn’t! Too much water can harm a plant just as easily as a lack of water. Water when the top inch or two of soil is dry. Check by sticking your finger an inch or two into the soil. If it’s wet, don’t water.

Now, the only caveat to that statement is that certain plants like it wet. Mint and parsley come to mind. They prefer their soil to stay moist but not soggy. On the other hand, rosemary, sage and thyme like to be watered well and allowed to dry out. They would be perfect candidates for the clay pots mentioned earlier.

 

 

 

Alternatives to the watering dilemma:

If you’re not confident in your watering abilities, get a soil moisture meter. It will tell you if you’re watering too much or not enough.If you don’t want to water at all, hydroponics is the way to go. You’ll never have to wonder if you need to water because you can see the water level for yourself and adjust accordingly. This is great if you need to leave your plants for a few days!

While it shouldn’t take the place of thorough watering, you can also mist your plants to provide humidity. A small spray bottle with water is all you need. Don’t want to mess with a mister? Place your plants on a shallow tray of pebbles with just enough water to cover the pebbles. This creates a micro-environment that most plants will benefit from.

Should you fertilize an indoor herb garden?

Certainly! The best fertilizer for indoor or container plants is a seaweed extract or fish emulsion. During warm weather, indoor plants will benefit from being fertilized about once a week. During colder months, you can cut back to once a month.

With fertilization comes salt build-up. When you start to notice a white substance on the soil of your plants, it’s time to flush them. No, not that kind of flush. Flush them with copious amounts of water. Water thoroughly, making sure the water runs completely through the soil and out the drain holes. This isn’t about allowing the soil to absorb moisture. So feel free to let the water run through the soil for a few minutes before you leave it to drain.

Flushing fertilizer buildup should be done every two to three months for all indoor plants.

Let’s talk temperature:

Most herbs prefer temps between 65-70 degrees. If your plants are in a sunny window, make sure they’re not getting too hot. Basil is one plant that prefers the heat. But other plants will quickly droop. On the other hand, make sure your plants aren’t getting the cold shoulder by being too close to a frozen window or by being in a drafty area. Cold will damage a plant just as quickly as heat.

 

 

 

 

Air circulation is also important:

It’s a good idea to group your plants so there is plenty of space between them. This allows for good air flow and prevents disease like mildew from occurring. You can simulate a gentle breeze by placing a small fan nearby. Just make sure the air moves the plants without blowing directly on them.

Another way to simulate air movement is by gently brushing your hand across the top of the plant. This also encourages strong stems and will help them hold up to wind if you decide to move them outdoors at a later time.

A few final thoughts:

If you don’t have a window sill but still want to grow your own herbs, try placing them on a small table, plant stand or step ladder. If you only have a couple of small plants, this window shelf that uses suction cups might be an option. Hanging plants are also an option if, like me, you have pets that like to chew on leaves.

If you want to save your outdoor plants by over-wintering them inside, you can place them in a cooler location than the recommended 65-70 degrees. This will slow their growth without killing them.

Also, keep in mind that your herbs are meant to be used. So don’t feel bad about snipping a few branches or leaves. In fact, most herbs grow better when they are pruned regularly.

As you can see, it is most definitely possible to grow an indoor herb garden in spite of having a small space or very little direct sunlight. The benefits of growing your own herbs year-round, either inside or outside, are numerous. But whichever reason convinces you to give it a try, enjoy the process. After all, it’s the little things….

Do you have an indoor herb garden? Are you thinking of starting one? If so, please leave a note in the comments below. I’d love to hear from you!

 

Until next time,

lisa

 

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