Growing herbs indoors takes very little time and effort to create and maintain. Growing fresh herbs adds beauty and wonderful scents to your home and offers opportunities for added taste to your foods! Some people even grow herbs for medicinal use.

There are four basic usage categories of herbs: culinary, decorative, aromatic, and medicinal. Growing herbs indoors is a great way to obtain herbs in any of these categories. Culinary herbs, such as basil, sage, and oregano are used for their taste in cooking. Decorative herbs, such as chicory, are enjoyed for their color or, in the case of valerian, are appreciated for their flowers. Aromatic herbs, such as lemon verbena and lavender, are popular for their scent and used to make potpourri. Medicinal herbs are readily used in Asia and Europe and are becoming popular in the United States. Caution is advised in using medicinal herbs without full knowledge of the remedy the herb is used for. Medicinal herbs can be effective when used properly and very dangerous when used improperly or in conjunction with other medications. Proper research is required before using medicinal herbs.

Growing herbs indoors requires attention to a few, but important, details. These include good soil, good drainage, adequate sunlight, water, and pruning. All herbs can be grown indoors, planted either in individual containers, or in a larger “community” planter like a bowl or a box. If you choose the larger “community” planter style of garden, be sure that the herbs planted together all have the same requirements for soil and water. Put moist-soil loving plants together in the same pot and dry-soil loving plants together in a different community pot.

When growing herbs indoors, it is simplest to purchase herbs as young plants. It is very important to use a powdered rooting hormone before you plant as many herbs fail to grow without it. Plant your herbs using containers such as six inch pots for individual planting, and bowls or boxes for “community” planting. Whichever style you choose, the containers should have adequate drain holes and contain about one inch of gravel in the bottom to allow for good drainage. Fill them with a good quality potting soil and make sure the potting soil is wet, but well drained, using tepid (lukewarm) water. Make a hole in the center of the potting soil big enough to put the plant in. Dip the roots of the herb in the powdered rooting hormone and let the excess product fall off. Place the plant in the hole and fill in any extra space so that the plant is secure, allowing about an inch of watering space between the top of the soil and the rim of the pot.

Herbs need five or six hours of sunlight every day and do best in, or near, a south or southeast facing window. A west facing window is also a good choice, and some growers use artificial grow lights when growing herbs indoors. Keep your herbs away from drafts, especially in the winter, but make sure they have good airflow around them to prevent the moist-soil-loving plants from developing mildew. Place your newly planted herbs in an appropriate location and for the first week or ten days, water them every day allowing them to drain well so the roots don’t sit in water and drown the plant. After that, water the plant as needed.

Dry soil or a “droopy” looking plant needs water! If you’ve used a mixture of individual and community pots, remember that the smaller, individual pots will dry out faster than the larger community pots. The planting process should take a few minutes to about an hour depending on how many herbs you are planting. Growing herbs indoors for your herbs is simple and should only take as much time as it takes to water them once or twice a week.

Once you start growing herbs indoors you can use them just as soon as you see new growth. Pluck larger leaves for use, but never more than a third of the plant, and just pinch back the smaller new growth to keep your plants healthy, bushy, and producing.