Creating an Herb Garden at Home

Tired of the frequent trips to your local grocery store for fresh herbs? Try growing them at home.

Not only is it relatively easy to establish and maintain an herb garden indoors, but it’s also a satisfying way of exercising your green thumb.

Here are some tips on bringing the outside in and creating an herb garden right in your home!

1. Bright Light

An herb garden in the kitchen, where you can reach over and snip fresh herbs as you cook, is every budding cook’s dream – but if there’s not enough light in your kitchen, scope out another spot instead. An herb garden works just as well in any room of your home, as long as there’s bright light. 

Herbs need as much natural sunlight as possible! At least 4-5 full hours of sun a day to be safe. Generally, windows with south or southwest exposure are ideal, but those facing the east or west will work as well. And if you live in an urban environment, make sure there’s nothing right outside your window blocking the light. 

If your space gets medium to low light, you can still grow herbs at home with some help. You’ll want to purchase grow lights and position them over your herbs for at least 6 hours a day. And remember to rotate your herbs’ containers regularly for even light exposure and growth.

2. Stable Temps

Like most houseplants and most people, indoor herbs like it 70 degrees Fahrenheit and sunny. Keep this in mind, especially if your herbs are right by a window – where they might catch a cold draft come nightfall. Don’t let herbs touch cold glass, either. They will start to brown. 

Additionally, keep your herbs away from air conditioning or heating units, which can cause dry air.

3. Tepid Water

Your indoor herb garden will appreciate a weekly shower with lukewarm or room temperature water. If your garden container is small enough to move, place it in your kitchen sink, water your herbs gently with lukewarm water, and let them drip dry while enjoying the extra humidity a semi-enclosed sink provides.

4. Easy Herbs

Set yourself up for success by picking herbs that can thrive indoors. Basil is a popular go to, but try your hand at chives, cilantro, dill, mint, thyme, and parsley too! Seed packets are definitely the most economical way to go – but small plants ready for transplanting into a container will be ready to harvest sooner. Once they’re planted, and in a spot with bright light, they aren’t too demanding. The most important thing to remember to do is to prune or snip your herbs about once a week. This will encourage them to grow back studier and more compact.

Now go ahead and enjoy your homegrown sill-to-table herbs!