Brighten up the dark days of January by adding a touch of green to your kitchen while keeping your meals fresh and flavorful. Growing an indoor herb garden is easy and ensures a steady supply of fresh herbs, regardless of your climate or gardening experience. No sunny windowsill? No problem—grow lights make it easy.
Gardener’s Supply in Greenland offers these helpful tips and all the essentials to get you started on this simple, uplifting winter project.
Best Herbs for Indoor Growing: Basil, Bay laurel, Chervil, Chives, Mint, Oregano, Parsley, Rosemary, and Thyme
For best results, choose a suitable potting soil and a container with drainage, and ensure your plants get plenty of light. Plant Mediterranean herbs like rosemary, thyme, oregano, and bay laurel in a mix of cactus and potting soil, while basil and mint do well in standard potting soil. Use a liquid fertilizer every few weeks to keep plants healthy.
Herbs love light. If natural light is limited, full-spectrum grow lights provide the brightness herbs need. Plants should be placed within 12 inches of the light source with lights on for 12-16 hours daily for optimal growth.
When it comes to starting your indoor garden, you have options. To skip the wait for germination, purchase small potted herbs or transplant seedlings. Perennial herbs like sage and thyme are ideal to start this way.
For a hands-on approach, propagate from cuttings by rooting pieces of mature plants like basil or mint in water before transferring them to soil. Alternatively, start from seed with easy-to-grow herbs like basil, parsley, and cilantro. Using a humidity dome and a heat mat encourages germination.