Tips that will make growing herbs indoors really easy!
Add some garden-fresh flavor to your winter meals with herbs grown and harvested from your own indoor garden. Use them to enhance your dining experiences by allowing family and guests to snip a few sprigs to further season the meal to their own taste.
Grow herbs that your family likes… those that complement your menu, and are easy to grow indoors such as basil, oregano, parsley, thyme, and sage. Purchase plants so they will be ready to harvest much sooner than those started from seeds. You’ll find a variety of herb plants at Pasquesi Home & Gardens to help get you ‘growing’.
HERE’S WHAT YOU NEED
- Herb plants
- A large, long, and narrow container or several small pots with drainage holes. Select containers that will fit the available space
- Saucer or tray to capture drain water and protect the furniture or windowsill below. Add pebbles to the saucer to elevate the pot above the drain water to help prevent root rot and boost humidity around the plant.
- Protective mat, if desired, for an extra layer of protection for furniture and window sills
- Quality, well-drained potting mix
- Sunny window, preferably one facing south, east, or west.
- Artificial lights, if sunlight is limited
PREFERRED GROWING CONDITIONS
- Sunlight: Most herbs need 6-8 hours of bright, direct sunlight. A south-facing window usually is best. An east or west facing is second best.
- Supplement low light areas with artificial lights. Start by providing six hours of artificial light each day and adjust as needed.
- Artificial Lights: Consider using artificial lights when natural light is limited; the plant requires strong sunlight to thrive, or when plants have pale leaves, elongated growth & bend toward the light.
- Keep lights on 12-14 hours per day.
- Position lights 6-12″ above the top of plants
- Set plants on a reflective surface to bounce light into bottom of plants.
- Temperature: Most herbs tolerate normal room temperatures.
- Soil Moisture: Most prefer moist, well-drained, not soggy soil. Adjust watering as needed for the specific herbs you are growing.
A FEW of the BEST HERBS to GROW INDOORS
- Basil: Thrives in bright light, at least six hours of direct sunlight. Likes moist, not soggy soil. Water when the top inch of soil is starting to dry. Needs warm temperatures; avoid cold drafts.
- Parsley: Grow in a deep pot to accommodate the roots. Needs strong light, but you may need to supplement with artificial light. Thrives in moist, well-drained organic soil and cool temperatures.
- Thyme: Place in bright light. Likes a well-drained potting mix. Water when soil surface dries, but don’t let it get too dry. Needs warm temperatures. Avoid cold drafts.
- Oregano: Place in strong light, supplement with artificial lights if needed. Use a well-draining potting mix. Water when soil surface dries– don’t let it get too dry. Cool temperature tolerant.
- Sage: Place in strong light with artificial lights, if needed. Use a well-drained soil. Water when soil surface dries.
- Mint: Place in strong light, but may need to supplement with artificial light. Water when the soil surface is dry–don’t let it get too dry. Tolerates cool temperatures.
- Rosemary: Strong light is preferred but may need to supplement with artificial light. Keep soil moist–do not let it dry out. Thrives in cool temperatures.
HARVESTING
- Use sharp kitchen scissors, snips, or bypass pruner.
- Cut the stem above a set of leaves. New growth sprouts from this point. The remaining plant should look neat and tidy.
- You will need two to three times more fresh than dried herbs.
STORING HERBS
- Basil, parsley, and other thin leafy herbs: Place cut end in a container of water, like flowers in an arrangement. Loosely cover with a plastic bag. Set on the counter, not in the refrigerator.
- Thick leafed herbs like sage and thyme: Wrap clippings in a paper towel and place in a plastic bag. Store in a warmer section of the refrigerator.
Melinda Myers is a nationally recognized gardening expert with more than 30 years of horticulture experience. She is a wealth of knowledge and we are pleased to share Melinda’s Gardening How-To with you!
