The Beginner’s Guide to Growing Herbs in Your House

The Beginner’s Guide to Growing Herbs in Your House

Are you ready to add some fresh flavours to your cooking and embrace your inner green thumb?

Growing herbs in your house is a fantastic way to enhance your culinary creations while bringing a touch of nature indoors.

Whether you have a spacious kitchen or a small apartment, this guide will walk you through the process of growing herbs as a beginner. So let’s get started!

Choosing the Right Herbs

To begin your herb-growing journey, let’s explore some popular options that are perfect for beginners:

• Basil: A versatile herb with a delightful aroma, perfect for pasta dishes and pesto.
• Parsley: An essential herb for garnishing and adding freshness to a variety of dishes.
• Mint: Refreshing and great for teas, cocktails, and desserts.
• Thyme: A fragrant herb that pairs well with roasted vegetables and meats.
• Rosemary: A robust herb that adds a fragrant punch to roasted potatoes and grilled meats.

Setting the Stage: Light, Water, and Soil

Now that you’ve chosen your herbs, it’s time to create the perfect environment for them to thrive. Here are some key factors to consider:

1. Sunlight: Herbs generally need at least 6 hours of sunlight each day. Find a sunny spot near a window, or use grow lights if natural light is limited.
2. Watering: Strike a balance between keeping the soil moist and avoiding overwatering. Herbs prefer well-draining soil, so make sure to water them when the top inch of soil feels dry.
3. Soil: Choose a high-quality potting mix or create your own by combining equal parts of compost, perlite, and peat moss. This will provide the right balance of nutrients and drainage for your herbs.

Planting and Care Tips for Each Herb

Now, let’s focus on the specific needs of each herb:

Basil

Basil is like the cool kid on the block – it loves the sun and hates the cold. You’ve got to treat it right and it’ll reward you with its beautiful, fragrant leaves.

Plant your basil seeds or starters in a pot that’s at least 6 inches deep – this gives the roots room to grow. It’s a sun worshipper, so make sure it gets 6 to 8 hours of sunlight each day.

For indoor growing indoors, place it near a south-facing window.

Remember how we talked about well-draining soil? Basil’s got to have it. Overwatered basil is a sad sight, trust me. Water it when the top inch of the soil is dry, and try to water the base rather than the leaves.

And here’s a little secret – Basil loves a good haircut! Regular pruning encourages a bushier plant, which means more leaves for your pesto and pasta.

So don’t be afraid to use your basil in your cooking regularly. You’re actually doing it a favour! And, there’s nothing like the smell of fresh basil in your kitchen, right?

• Ideal Temperature: 70-85°F (21-29°C)
• Planting: Sow seeds or transplant seedlings into a medium-sized pot.
• Care: Pinch off the top leaves regularly to encourage bushier growth and prevent flowering.

Parsley

Parsley might seem a tad high-maintenance, but trust me, the payoff is worth the effort. Unlike our sun-loving friend Basil, Parsley likes it cool.

It does enjoy a bit of sunlight, but not as much – around 6 hours per day should do. For growing indoors, an east or west-facing window would be the perfect spot.

When it comes to soil, Parsley isn’t too fussy. It prefers well-drained soil, much like Basil, and it’s pretty forgiving if you forget to water it once in a while.

But don’t use this as an excuse to neglect it! Try to water it when the top layer of soil feels dry.

Now, for the most exciting part – Harvesting! Parsley takes a bit of time to grow, but once it gets going, it really GOES.

You can start harvesting when the leaf stems have three segments – that’s when you know it’s ready. And just like Basil, using your parsley regularly actually encourages it to grow more.

So, don’t hold back – add that fresh, vibrant flavour to your dishes!

• Ideal temperature: 60-70°F (15-21°C)
• Planting: Scatter seeds in a medium-sized pot or plant seedlings with a spacing of around 10 to 12 inches apart.
• Care: Regularly prune your parsley to promote its growth, but don’t cut the entire plant down. Remember, parsley likes damp soil but hates waterlogged roots, so be careful not to overwater it.
• Fun fact: Did you know that parsley could do more than just jazz up your dishes? It’s also a great breath freshener! So next time you’ve cooked up a garlic storm in the kitchen, you know what to snack on to keep that breath in check.

Mint

Moving on to one of the most loved herbs in the world – Mint! This little green wonder is a breeze to grow and offers a zesty punch of flavour that can transform any dish or drink.

It’s the unsung hero of your kitchen garden, always ready to step in and save the day when your dish needs a little extra ‘oomph’.

Mint is a hardy plant that grows quickly, so you’ll have plenty of fresh leaves to play with in no time.

It loves a good balance of sun and shade and is pretty flexible when it comes to soil. Just make sure it’s well-drained – no plant likes soggy feet!

Watering is where mint shows its easy-going nature. It likes to keep its roots moist but can handle a little neglect here and there. But remember, it’s not a camel – it does need water!

When it comes to harvesting, mint is a giver. You can start picking leaves as soon as the plant is around 3 inches tall.

The more you pick, the more it grows, so don’t be shy! And just like Parsley, mint is a fantastic natural breath freshener. So why not make your breath minty fresh while adding a refreshing twist to your cooking?

• Ideal Temperature: 65-70°F (18-21°C)
• Planting: Mint grows aggressively, so it’s best to plant it in its own pot. You can start with seeds or use a cutting from an established plant.
• Care: Unlike most herbs, mint likes to be kept a bit moist. Don’t let the soil dry out completely between waterings.
• Fun Fact: Mint is a fabulous companion plant! It’s known to repel a bunch of pesky insects, so consider having it around your kitchen or patio to keep those little intruders at bay.
• Minty tip: If your mint is starting to look a little out of control, don’t hold back. You can be ruthless with harvesting – the more you cut, the more it grows!

Thyme

And now, let’s talk about Thyme! This little herb is a powerhouse of flavour.

Native to the Mediterranean, thyme has found its way into cuisines around the world. It’s not just a culinary star – it’s also packed with health benefits.

Thyme is a source of vitamin C and is known for its antiseptic properties.

• Ideal Temperature: Thyme likes it cool to moderately warm, somewhere between 60-70°F (15-21°C), so your kitchen windowsill might just be its new best friend!
• Planting: Thyme is a tough little guy and can be grown from seeds or transplants. If you’re starting with seeds, sprinkle a few on top of your soil mix, cover lightly with a dusting of soil, and water gently. For transplants, nestle them into a pot that’s got room for them to spread out a bit, because they will!
• Care: Thyme needs a haircut now and then. Regular trimming helps it stay bushy and full, plus it gives you a fresh supply of aromatic goodness for your culinary creations. Just remember, if you ever see flowers start to bud, clip those out quickly to keep your thyme focused on growing leaves, not blooms. And water-wise, thyme likes its soil to dry out a bit between drinks. So stick your finger in the soil – if the top inch feels dry, it’s time for a drink!

Rosemary

Moving on to the robust and fragrant Rosemary! This herb holds a special place in my heart as it was my grandmother’s and my absolute favourite herb, I asked her to cook with it a lot!

Rosemary originates from the Mediterranean region, much like our friend Thyme. Its needle-like leaves pack a potent punch of flavour, and it’s a staple in many cuisines worldwide.

But it’s more than just a culinary herb, Rosemary also boasts numerous health benefits.

• Ideal Temperature: Rosemary is a Mediterranean herb, so it likes the heat! Keep it in a spot where the temperature ranges between 70-80°F (21-27°C), and it’ll feel right at home.
• Planting: You can grow rosemary from seeds, but it’s a bit of a slow grower to start. You might find it easier to start with a cutting or a young plant from a nursery. Whichever way you go, pop your rosemary into a pot with good drainage – this herb doesn’t like soggy feet.
• Care: Rosemary isn’t a high-maintenance type of herb. It actually prefers a bit of neglect rather than too much attention. So, leave it in a sunny spot, water it when the top inch of soil feels dry, and trim it back every now and then to keep it looking neat and tidy. And if your rosemary starts flowering, chop those blooms off to keep the plant focused on producing delicious leaves. Remember, rosemary is a bit of a show-off. It likes to grow tall and wide, so give it some space to strut its stuff!

And there you have it! The perfect guide to get you started on your indoor herb garden.

Remember, gardening is all about experimentation and patience, so don’t be discouraged if things don’t go perfectly right away. Happy gardening!

Harvesting Your Herbs

As your herbs grow, you’ll eventually be able to enjoy their fresh flavours in your meals. Here are some tips for harvesting:

• Use clean, sharp scissors or pruning shears.
• Harvest in the morning when the essential oils are at their peak.
• Snip off the outer leaves or stems, leaving the inner growth intact for continued growth.

Remember, harvesting your herbs regularly will stimulate new growth and ensure a bountiful supply for your culinary adventures.

No matter how big or small your living space is, growing herbs indoors is totally doable and honestly, hugely rewarding.

If your place is on the tinier side, or you’re just short on counter space, don’t sweat it! Small pots or mason jars can be the perfect home for your herbs.

Basil, parsley, or chives for instance, are all happy to grow in smaller containers and can easily sit on your windowsill or even lined up on a bookshelf.

Just make sure wherever you put them, they’re getting a good dose of sunlight.

For those of you who have a little more room to play with, how about trying out a vertical herb garden?

You can use hanging planters, or install a few shelves to make a beautiful green wall. It not only saves you floor space but also adds a touch of nature to your home decor.

And let’s not forget about hydroponic systems! These have been a game changer for indoor gardening.

They’re compact, they often come with grow lights and they even remind you when to water your plants. Talk about convenience!

Remember, the most important thing is to have fun and learn as you go! So, no matter your square footage, get those green thumbs to work, and don’t let space restrict your indoor gardening adventures.

We have a great detailed post on common houseplant problems and how to solve them, check that out as well for some great tips!

Let’s Get Growing!

Now that you have the knowledge and tips to grow herbs like a pro, it’s time to get your hands dirty and start your indoor herb garden.

Gather your pots, seeds or seedlings, and enjoy the satisfying journey of nurturing and harvesting your own fresh herbs. Happy growing!

Connect with us on social media and share your tips, tricks, and photos. Let’s inspire each other!

Need more tips on how to care for other indoor plants? check out this post.