Growing an indoor herb garden is a fun and rewarding hobby. Herbs make for a great addition to home-cooked meals, save you money, and some have healing properties. For under $20, you can grow herbs like basil or kale in your home. All you need is sunlight, supplies, and an appetite for fresh herbs.
1. Favorite Herbs
First, decide what herbs to grow. While it’s personal preference, parsley and rosemary are popular starter herbs because they’re easy to grow. You can buy seeds or plant a cutting from an existing plant.
2. Pot With Drainage
Whether you use seeds or cuttings, you’ll need a pot. If you’re growing two herbs, purchase 6-inch wide plastic planters. Empty cans or Tupperwares with drainage holes work too. If you’re growing several herbs, pick up a rectangular nursery planter, but avoid overcrowding. Remember, some herbs don’t do well in the same pot, while others thrive together.
3. Organic Soil
Most herbs that grow in your kitchen require a well-draining soil with a PH of around 7. For two herbs, pick up a 6 quart bag of organic potting soil. It’s better to avoid soil with fertilizers and other non-organic additives. But the soil can vary depending on the type of herb.
4. Water and Humidity
Proper drainage is important as most herbs will rot if they sit in standing water. However, some herbs will perish if the soil gets bone-dry. A general rule of thumb is to keep the soil damp, not soaked. It’s best to use distilled water, but you can set a cup of tap water out for 24 hours to evaporate the chlorine. If the air in your home is dry, you’ll need to water more frequently.
5. Light and Dedication
Once your herbs are planted, find them a suitable spot in your home. Most herbs require full sun (6-8 hours daily), but some need less. The right spot is crucial: without adequate light, your herbs won’t last long. If you don’t have a sunny windowsill, don’t worry! LED grow-lights are an inexpensive alternative for growing fragrant herbs in the comfort of your home.