How to Grow and Care For an Indoor Herb Garden

I absolutely love cooking with herbs. It is my favorite way to add new flavors to a dish, but it can get to be expensive buying fresh herbs in the grocery store. Even though I didn’t want to spend an arm and a leg on groceries, I wasn’t willing to sacrifice those wonderful flavors that my favorite herbs provided. So, I decided to grow them myself.

I grow my herbs in containers at my house so that I have what I need, whenever I need it. Plus, my little herb garden has saved me a lot of money in the long run.

Since I have had such success with my indoor herbs, I wanted to share a few tips and tricks so that you can do it too! These easy tips will allow you to keep your plants growing all year long, even throughout the winter months.

Once you get going, you will be extremely happy that you did, and you will find yourself potting herbs into even larger containers in no time.

Parsley

Watering: A potted parsley plant will require an even watering daily to keep it in the best condition.

Propagating: Parsley is normally propagated from the seed, and this can be a somewhat difficult process that takes some time. Try soaking the seeds in warm water to allow the roots to develop, and then plant in another container to continue growth.

Sunlight: Parsley plants prefer full sun or partial shade, and will need at least 6-8 hours of sun per day.

Food: If you want your parsley to really flourish, you can add a food grade fertilizer to your regular potting mix.

Potting Tips and Tricks: Parsley doesn’t need a really large pot to do well, so one that is 6 inches deep will work. Harvest your parsley when the shoots are at least 3-4 inches high, but be sure to leave behind some stem for growth.

Basil

Watering: Basil does not require a lot of watering unless it is very dry and hot. Aim for watering every 1 to 2 days, and if drier conditions take over you can increase the frequency to twice a day.

Propagating: Cut 3 inches of stem from the plant and remove the lower leaves on piece that you cut off. Place in a dish of water on a window sill, refreshing the water daily, and roots will begin to grow. Plant in a container once the roots are ready.

Sunlight: 6-8 hours of direct sunlight per day is best for growing basil.

Food: You can use food grade fertilizer once a month if you use this herb a lot. This will allow for your plant to produce more for you to utilize.

Potting Tips and Tricks: Basil can get tall, so you will want a wide pot that is at least 7 inches deep for the roots to develop properly.

Lavender

Watering: Watering lavender is extremely easy and only needs to be done when the soil is completely dry.

Propagating: Use a 3-5 inch stem cutting and plant it in a small but well-draining pot with composting soil to establish roots. You can move to a larger container once roots are stronger.

Sunlight: At least 8 hours of sunlight per day is needed for your lavender plant.

Food: Adding a controlled release fertilizer to your regular potting soil is the easiest feeding route to take.

Potting Tips and Tricks: The pot should be 2 inches larger than the root ball since lavender roots prefer a bit of crowding. Opt for a well-draining soil and container, as well.

Cilantro

Watering: Cilantro will need an even watering on a daily basis.

Propagating: Grow new plants from the root stem. Water the plant well and then remove it from the container. Separate a small part of root ball with stems attached and plant in small container to establish root growth before putting into a larger container.

Sunlight: Direct sunlight, at least 6 hours per day will suffice.

Food: You can add a food grade fertilizer to your regular potting mix.

Potting Tips and Tricks: Aim for a wide pot that is also 10 inches deep. Harvest when the shoots are 3-4 inches high but leave behind plenty of stem.

Thyme

Watering: Water your thyme plant when the soil is completely dry.

Propagating: Can be regrown from seeds or stem cutting. Cutting is easier and is done by placing the cut stem into a moist and small container, and waiting for the roots to really take hold.

Sunlight: Full sunlight is ideal, so aim for 8 hours per day.

Food: You do not need fertilizer if using a good potting soil mix for the container already.

Potting Tips and Tricks: Thyme needs good drainage, but you only need 6 inch pots for kitchen purposes.

Spearmint

Watering: Spearmint needs daily watering to keep the soil damp.

Propagating: It will propagate itself since the root “runners” spread quickly.

Sunlight: Full sun or partial shade is sufficient.

Food: Fertilize your plant every few weeks if you harvest a lot of it.

Potting Tips and Tricks: Use a 12 inch pot and keep the soil moist by adding moss.

Rosemary

Watering: Water rosemary when the top of the soil is dry to the touch.

Propagating: You can propagate via the cutting method or just buy new plants at your local gardening center.

Sunlight: Will need at least 4-6 hours of sunlight each day.

Food: Fertilizer is not necessary.

Potting Tips and Tricks: Needs good drainage and a 12 inch container that is at least 8 inches deep.

Sage

Watering: Do not overwater sage as it prefers drier elements.

Propagating: The cutting method will provide you with the best results to grow another plant.

Sunlight: Full sun, at least 8 hours per day.

Food: No fertilizer is needed.

Potting Tips and Tricks: Needs good drainage and a minimum 8 inch container to grow well.

Oregano

Watering: Oregano will require a daily watering.

Propagating: Cutting 3-5 inches from the stem and planting in a moist soil medium will allow the roots to take hold.

Sunlight: At least 6 hours per day is necessary.

Food: You do not need to fertilize oregano plants.

Potting Tips and Tricks: Plant in at least an 8 inch container that drains well.