Fresh herbs change a meal. A scattering of basil over pasta, chopped parsley on roast potatoes or a few mint leaves in a jug of water feels like a small luxury. Buying them in plastic packs gets expensive, and half the bunch often wilts in the fridge. Growing herbs indoors solves both problems and puts something green and fragrant within arm's reach of the stove.
Indoor herbs are not difficult, but they do have a few needs that are easy to miss. Get light, drainage and harvesting right, and most of the work is done.
Choose herbs that cope well indoors
Some herbs adapt to life on a windowsill better than others. These are reliable choices for beginners:
| Herb | Light needs | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Basil | Bright, warm spot | Pinch the tips often to keep it bushy |
| Parsley | Bright to moderate | Slow to start from seed but long-lasting |
| Chives | Bright to moderate | Cut low and it regrows quickly |
| Mint | Moderate | Grow in its own pot; it spreads eagerly |
| Thyme | Very bright | Prefers to dry out between waterings |
| Oregano | Very bright | Woody herb that dislikes wet roots |
Soft, leafy herbs such as basil, parsley and mint like steady moisture. Woody Mediterranean herbs such as thyme, rosemary and oregano prefer drier soil and as much light as you can give them. Grouping herbs with similar needs makes care much simpler.
Light is the most important factor
Most struggling indoor herbs are short of light. A bright windowsill that gets several hours of sun is ideal. In darker months or rooms with small windows, plants often stretch towards the glass and grow thin, pale stems, a problem gardeners call "leggy" growth.
- Rotate pots every few days so all sides get light.
- Keep leaves off cold glass in winter, which can damage them.
- Consider a grow light if your windows are dim. A simple LED grow light placed a short distance above the plants can make a big difference.
If you already use lighting to brighten your kitchen worktops, our guide to choosing under cabinet lights is a handy companion when you are planning where herbs and lamps will sit.
Pots, drainage and soil
Drainage matters more than the look of the pot. Herbs sitting in waterlogged soil quickly develop root rot. Choose containers with holes in the bottom and stand them on saucers or a tray. If you love a decorative pot without holes, use it as an outer sleeve and keep the herb in a plastic nursery pot inside.
Use a fresh, free-draining potting mix rather than garden soil, which compacts indoors. For thyme, rosemary and oregano, mixing in a little grit or perlite helps water run through.
Supermarket herbs: a quick rescue
Potted herbs from the supermarket are often several crowded seedlings squeezed into one small pot. They tend to collapse within weeks. To give them a better chance, gently split the clump into three or four smaller sections and pot each one up separately with fresh compost.
Watering without overdoing it
Overwatering kills more indoor herbs than neglect does. Instead of watering on a fixed schedule, check the soil with your finger.
- Push a fingertip into the soil about a knuckle deep.
- If it feels dry, water thoroughly until a little drains from the bottom.
- Empty the saucer after a short while so roots are not left standing in water.
- If the soil still feels damp, wait and check again in a day or two.
Warm, sunny rooms dry pots out faster than cool ones, so expect to water more in summer and less in winter.
Harvest often, harvest well
Picking herbs regularly is good for them. Cutting encourages new side shoots and keeps plants compact and leafy.
- Basil and mint: snip just above a pair of leaves so two new shoots grow from that point.
- Chives: cut whole stems a little above the soil.
- Parsley: take the outer stems first and let the centre keep growing.
- Thyme and oregano: trim the soft tips and avoid cutting deep into old woody stems.
Try not to remove more than about a third of a plant at once, so it has enough leaves left to recover. If basil starts to flower, pinch the flowers off to keep the leaves tasting their best.
Feeding and repotting
Fresh potting mix contains some nutrients, but they run out after a while. A gentle liquid feed every few weeks during spring and summer keeps growth healthy. Follow the label and err on the side of a weaker dose. When roots poke out of the drainage holes or water runs straight through, move the plant into a slightly larger pot.
Common problems and simple fixes
- Yellow leaves: often too much water; let the soil dry a little more.
- Thin, stretched stems: not enough light; move closer to a window or add a lamp.
- Tiny flying insects: usually linked to soggy compost; water less and let the surface dry.
- Brown, crispy tips: very dry air or a hot radiator nearby.
Indoor herbs are a lovely first step into growing food. Once you are hooked, the natural next move is to take things outside. Our guide on how to start a vegetable garden picks up from there.