Dried herbs from a jar do not compare to fresh basil, mint, or cilantro cut seconds before hitting your plate. Growing herbs indoors is one of the simplest gardening projects. Most herbs need a sunny window, a small pot, and water once or twice a week. These varieties grow well in indoor conditions and give you a continuous supply for cooking.
Indoor Herb Essentials
- 6 or more hours of direct sunlight per day (or a grow light)
- Well-draining potting mix in pots with drainage holes
- Water when the top inch of soil feels dry
- Harvest regularly to encourage bushy growth
Basil
The most popular indoor herb. Place in your sunniest window. Pinch off flower buds as they appear to keep the plant producing leaves. Harvest from the top down, cutting above a set of leaves. One healthy basil plant provides enough leaves for weekly cooking. Start from seed or buy a starter plant for $3 to $5.
Mint
Mint grows aggressively, which makes it perfect for a single pot where it has no neighbors to crowd out. Spearmint and peppermint both grow indoors. Place in partial to full sun. Harvest stems regularly to prevent leggy growth. Use in teas, cocktails, salads, and desserts. Mint roots easily in a glass of water from a single cutting.
Containing Mint’s Growth
Always grow mint in its own pot. In shared containers or garden beds, mint roots spread and overtake other plants within weeks. A 6-inch pot on a windowsill gives one mint plant enough room to produce without invading.
Parsley
Both flat-leaf (Italian) and curly parsley grow indoors with moderate sunlight. Parsley is slower to germinate than basil (14 to 21 days from seed), so starting with a nursery plant saves time. Cut outer stems first and let the center continue growing. Parsley adds brightness to soups, pasta, salads, and grain bowls.
Chives
Chives need 4 to 6 hours of sunlight daily. Snip from the top with scissors as needed. The grass-like growth pattern means chives always look tidy on a windowsill. They add a mild onion flavor to eggs, potatoes, cream cheese, and dips. Chives also produce small purple flowers that are edible.
Cilantro
Cilantro bolts (goes to seed) quickly in warm conditions. Keep it in a cooler spot with 4 to 6 hours of sun. Sow seeds every 2 to 3 weeks in succession for a continuous harvest. Once cilantro flowers, let the seeds dry on the plant to produce coriander, which is the same plant in its seed stage.
Rosemary and Thyme
Both Mediterranean herbs prefer dry conditions and full sun. Water sparingly and provide the brightest window in your home. These woody herbs grow slowly indoors but deliver strong flavor from small harvests. A single sprig of rosemary or thyme is often enough for an entire recipe.
An indoor herb garden is not about replacing the grocery store. It is about having fresh flavor within arm’s reach every time you stand at the stove.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Leggy, stretched growth means insufficient light. Move plants closer to the window or add a small grow light. Yellow leaves often signal over-watering. Let soil dry between waterings. Brown leaf tips indicate low humidity. Group plants together or place pots on a tray of pebbles and water to increase moisture around the leaves.
