Indoor Herb Garden Ideas: How to Grow an Indoor Herb Garden
Best indoor herbs to grow this year.
Fresh herbs are one of the best ways to take your cooking to the next level. Whether you're starting from seeds or re-potting nursery plants, we've put together a list of tips and tricks so you can learn how to grow an herb garden. Keep reading to find indoor herb garden ideas to get your green thumb going.
Before You Begin
Indoor Herb Garden Ideas
Before You Begin
Before you start growing your indoor herb garden, there are a few things to consider.
1. Find a Sunny Spot
Herbs often require ample light to thrive, so it's important to find a location that receives between 6 to 8 hours of sunlight. Sunny window sills are one of the best spots to place your herb plants. We recommend choosing a south- or southwest-facing window to make sure that your plants get enough sunlight.
2. Pick the Best Indoor Herbs
When choosing which herbs to plant, think about your favorite flavors and which types of dishes you like to cook. We also recommend choosing herbs that don't grow too tall or wide, and grow well in small containers. Some of the best indoor herbs to grow are chives, basil, mint, rosemary, sage, thyme, parsley, and lavender. These plants can be purchased as seedlings or as seeds.
3. Gather Your Supplies
In addition to choosing the best indoor herbs, there are a few gardening tools that will help you grow and harvest your garden. Start with a few simple gardening tools, such as a small watering can, gardening shears to snip off sprigs of your fresh herbs or prune back any overgrowth, a spray bottle for misting, and a small trowel to help with potting.
To prep your herbs to be planted, pick potting soil that will help your plants thrive. Potting mixes create an ideal environment and include all of the nutrients your herbs will need to grow. If you're starting your herbs from seeds, planting kits come with all of the pieces to get you started, such as covered containers, potting mix, and plant food.
4. Move Plants Into Containers
When starting with seeds, fill a container with a moistened seed-starting potting mix and sprinkle three to five seeds in each container. Cover the container loosely with a plastic bag or a transparent dome. This will help maintain an adequate amount of moisture and humidity. Make sure to keep the soil damp and move the seedlings to a larger container when they are between 2" and 4" tall.
If you're transferring herbs from nursery pots to new containers, fill the new container with 2"–3" of potting mix. Use a trowel to carefully remove the plant from its nursery pot and gently loosen the roots to remove the soil. Place the plant in the new container and fill the open sides with potting mix, carefully pressing the soil to secure the plant. Water the plant immediately to help the potting mix feel more firm.
Tip!
Not sure which indoor planter to pick? Check out our guide Types of Planters: How to Choose an Indoor Planter to learn about the different types and materials.
5. Caring for Your Indoor Herbs
Like any other plant, indoor herbs have different watering requirements. Use the care instructions that come with the seed packet or nursery pot to check how often each plant should be watered. Some indoor herbs may need to be fertilized. Look at the care instructions included with your nursery plant to see how much and how often the plant should be fertilized.
Indoor Herb Garden Ideas
Whether you don't have enough sunlit surfaces or you're dealing with short winter days, grow lights are an excellent way to ensure your plants receive enough sunlight. Grow lights use full-spectrum LED lights to produce bright, even lighting and promote photosynthesis, which helps plants grow efficiently. Many grow lights have a timer so you can set a schedule with the optimal amount of light to let your plants grow and rest.
If you're looking to grow several different kinds of herbs, a plant stand can help you make the most of a limited space. The staggered heights allow you to optimize the vertical space and keep all of your herbs consolidated in one space, which makes it easy to care for all of your plants. Choose a plant stand with built-in pots, like in the photo above, or go for a plant stand with tiered shelves to house a variety of planters.
Use a self-watering planter to take the guesswork out of watering your indoor herb garden. These planters feature a built-in reservoir that allows the plant to drink water at its own pace. The reservoir only needs to be refilled every few weeks, which is ideal for those who might forget to water their plants regularly.
Free up valuable space in front of the window with hanging planters. These planters are suspended from a bar or hook that is attached to the wall or ceiling. Pick one hanging planter to provide your favorite plant with plenty of sunlight, or choose a set that includes multiple planters for a bit of variety. Some of the best indoor herbs for hanging planters are dill, parsley, and rosemary.
Keep track of which herbs are which with chalkboard labels. This makes it easy to see which herbs you're picking, and the labels can be changed as you plant different herbs. Simply wipe the label clean and write the new type of herb. Pick a planter with a chalkboard label attached to the front, or add chalkboard decals to dress up a plain planter.
Lean into the farm-fresh style with this indoor herb garden idea. Look for planters with farmhouse details, such as a galvanized metal finish or a painted metal name plate. Choose a small metal pot to house each individual herb plant, or pick a rectangular planter to fit multiple plants in one row.
If you're in search of an eco-friendly planter, pick one made of natural fibers. These planters are often made from recycled materials and provide a lightweight, breathable house for your herb garden. Opt for a rectangular planter to grow a neat row of your favorite herbs, or try a hanging planter to take advantage of vertical space.
Want to make a dedicated space for your indoor herb garden? Choose a set of matching planters or corral similarly-sized planters on a tray. Not only does the tray keep planters close together, but it can also help catch any excess water that comes from the drainage holes.
Make the most of your counter space with a vertical garden. These stackable vertical planters are perfect for small spaces, such as apartments or galley kitchens. Herbs are lightweight and don't take up much space, so they're ideal for grouping your favorite flavors in one convenient spot.
Cultivate a range of flavors by adding a wall-mounted indoor herb garden to your kitchen wall. With several pots attached to a wall-mounted frame, you can mix and match your favorite herbs without taking up space on top of the counter. Look for a stylish frame to make the planters feel like a piece of decor.
Chic glass planters are a great way to elevate your indoor herb garden ideas. With a full view of the roots and soil, it's easy to see if your herbs need to be watered. Herbs, such as parsley, cilantro, thyme, and rosemary, thrive in glass planters. Glass planters come in a wide range of designs to match your style and suit your indoor herb garden.
Bring a rustic touch to your kitchen by adding a set of wall planters. Incorporate elements like reclaimed wood or aged metal accents to achieve the rustic look. The bright green color of the herbs will really pop against the neutral backdrop and complement the natural textures.
