Nurturing Nature: My Top Picks for the Best Herbs to Grow Indoors

Best Indoor Herbs to Grow

Thriving Year-Round

Growing herbs indoors is a game-changer. They add fresh flavors to your dishes and a splash of green to your home. Here are my top picks:

Herb	Light Needs	Watering Needs
Basil	6 hours of sunlight	Keep soil moist
Chives	6 hours of sunlight	Water when soil is dry
Parsley	6 hours of sunlight	Keep soil moist
Mint	Indirect light	Keep soil moist
Thyme	6 hours of sunlight	Let soil dry out
Oregano	6 hours of sunlight	Let soil dry out
Rosemary	6 hours of sunlight	Let soil dry out
Cilantro	6 hours of sunlight	Keep soil moist
Tarragon	6 hours of sunlight	Let soil dry out
Bay Laurel	Bright indirect light	Let soil dry out
Sage	6 hours of sunlight	Let soil dry out
Dill	6 hours of sunlight	Keep soil moist

These herbs have different needs, but they all thrive indoors. For more tips on keeping an indoor herb garden, check out our resources.

Top Picks for Winter

Winter can be tough on plants, but some herbs are hardy enough to thrive indoors even with less sunlight. Here are my winter favorites:

Herb	Light Needs	Watering Needs
Winter Savory	Indirect light	Let soil dry out
‘Berggarten’ Sage	6 hours of sunlight	Let soil dry out
Mint	Indirect light	Keep soil moist
Oregano	6 hours of sunlight	Let soil dry out
Parsley	6 hours of sunlight	Keep soil moist

These herbs can handle the winter months and still add flavor to your meals (Fine Gardening).

In winter, consider using a grow light or LED light to help your herbs grow, as natural light is limited (Eating Well). For more tips on growing herbs indoors, check out our resources.

By choosing the right herbs for year-round and winter growth, you can enjoy fresh, tasty herbs no matter the season. Happy gardening!

Indoor Herb Care Tips

Growing herbs indoors can be a fun and calming hobby. Here’s how to keep your indoor herb garden happy and healthy.

Light and Temperature Needs

Light is key for indoor herbs. They need at least six hours of sunlight each day. A south-facing window works best. In winter, when sunlight is scarce, consider using a grow light or LED light to keep your herbs thriving.

Herb	Light Requirement
Basil	6+ hours of sunlight
Mint	6+ hours of sunlight
Rosemary	6+ hours of sunlight

Herbs like the same temperatures we do—around 65 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit (Bonnie Plants). Basil is a bit pickier and prefers it in the 70s both day and night. If your herbs are near a window, watch out for cold drafts in winter or hot air in summer and move them if needed.

Watering and Harvesting

Watering right is crucial. Keep the soil moist but not soaked to avoid root rot. Overwatering is a common mistake, so make sure your pots have drainage holes to let the soil dry out between waterings.

Herb	Watering Frequency	Notes
Basil	Every 3-4 days	Soil should be moist but not soggy
Mint	Every 2-3 days	Keep soil consistently moist
Rosemary	Every 7-10 days	Let soil dry out a bit between waterings

When harvesting, pick a few sprigs at a time. This encourages new growth and keeps the plant healthy. Don’t take more than a quarter of the plant at once to avoid stressing it (Eating Well). Regular harvesting gives you fresh herbs for cooking and helps the plant grow fuller and bushier.

For more tips, check out our articles on how to grow herbs indoors and container gardening for herbs. These guides offer more advice on creating a thriving indoor herb garden.

Follow these tips, and you’ll enjoy fresh herbs all year while also boosting your mental wellness with this rewarding hobby.

Growing Herbs Successfully

Picking the Perfect Pots

When you’re growing herbs indoors, picking the right pots is a game-changer. Too big, and you risk drowning your plants; too small, and they can’t breathe. I usually go for pots that are 1.5 to 2 times the size of the plant’s root ball. This gives the roots room to grow without turning the soil into a swamp.

Drainage holes are a must. Without them, water can pool at the bottom, leading to overwatering and unhappy plants. I make sure all my pots have drainage holes to let the extra water escape (Epic Gardening). This is super important for herbs like basil and thyme, which hate being waterlogged.

Here’s a quick cheat sheet for picking the right pot size:

Herb Type	Recommended Pot Size
Basil	6-8 inches diameter
Thyme	4-6 inches diameter
Mint	8-10 inches diameter
Parsley	6-8 inches diameter
Oregano	6-8 inches diameter

Want more tips on container gardening for herbs? Check out our detailed guide.

Snipping and Shifting

Regular pruning and harvesting are key to keeping your indoor herbs happy. Pruning makes your plants bushier and stops them from getting all leggy. It also keeps them growing strong and prevents overcrowding. I make it a point to prune my herbs like cilantro, parsley, and basil often. This keeps them lush and ensures I always have fresh herbs on hand.

When I prune, I cut the stems near a node. This helps the plant grow back quicker and bushier. For example, when I harvest basil, I snip just above a pair of leaves to encourage new shoots.

Transplanting is another biggie. As your herbs grow, they might outgrow their pots. When that happens, I move them to bigger pots to give their roots more room. This is especially important for herbs like mint and oregano, which can grow like crazy.

Here’s a quick guide on how often to prune and when to think about transplanting:

Herb Type	Pruning Frequency	Transplanting Time
Basil	Every 2-3 weeks	When roots outgrow pot
Thyme	Every 3-4 weeks	When growth slows down
Mint	Every 2 weeks	When roots fill pot
Parsley	Every 3 weeks	When roots are visible
Oregano	Every 3 weeks	When roots outgrow pot

For more detailed info on how to grow herbs indoors, including specific pruning and transplanting techniques, check out our comprehensive guide.

By picking the right pots and keeping up with regular pruning and transplanting, you can make sure your indoor herb garden thrives. Whether you’re growing herbs for cooking or just to enjoy their beauty, these tips will help you get the best results.