How to Grow Herbs Indoors
An indoor herb garden is within your reach! Herbs are remarkably hardy and tend to thrive in small spaces. And they can be very simple or elaborate. But where to start? Here are some tips on how to grow herbs indoors.
1. The Windowsill Garden
The simplest way to grow herbs indoors is to line up pots on a sunny windowsill. This simple, small garden works well for those with wide windowsills and the desire for just a few herbs. All you need to start are pots with good drainage. Simply fill pots with potting soil and place them in dishes or plates (to catch water). Then you can plant seeds or plant seedlings from your garden center.
2. Seasonal Indoor Herb Garden
Another approach is a seasonal indoor herb garden. This works great for annual herbs that are not cold-hardy. Simply bring them indoors when the weather starts getting cold (before frost), and set them up in a sunny window area. They can be on tables, plant stands, or whatever you like. Then out they go in the spring.
Just make sure to make the transition in and out gradually, or you’ll kill your herbs. To do this, move them indoors overnight only, then back out in the morning to start with. Gradually put the plants outside at a later and later hour until they are outside all day. Use the same technique for moving indoors.
3. Year-Round Indoor Herb Garden
Like the two types of gardens above, you’ll need excellent drainage, a reliable light source (6 to 8 hours of light a day), and good soil. But for a year-round indoor herb garden, you might need a more elaborate set-up. Here are some ideas:
* Tiered herb gardens are fun. You can use a wire plant stand. Set it into a large plastic or rubber pan (shallow), and then when you water the top layer of herbs, the water will drain out and water the herbs beneath. Set this in front of a window and you’ll also create some privacy!
* Hanging plants are very attractive, especially if you choose vine-like herbs or trailing herbs, like mints or thyme.
* Groupings in windows are attractive. Use plant stands or pots turned upside-down to create various heights in sunny spots in your home.
4. Light and Water
No matter what method or arrangement you choose, light and water are the most important factors in a successful indoor herb garden. Soil should be well drained and watered frequently, and your plants should receive 6 to 8 hours of light a day. If you have a few hours of sun at one window and then a few hours at another, consider a movable arrangement like the tiered plant stand that you can move from window to window for optimal light exposure.
These tips should help you grow a successful herb garden indoors any time of year!