Throughout history people have been using plants called herbs to flavour food, for dye, perfume, and even for cosmetics. Certain herbs are thought by many to have the power to repel insects, evil, and even vampires, while other herbs create good luck and attract the perfect lover. Herbs are used by some people to cure headaches and burns, but culinary herbs are usually the most widely used. Many kitchen gardeners relish the opportunity of growing herbs indoors.
It is quite convenient to grow an indoor herb garden without the need for any outdoor space at all. This means home chefs or people who simply enjoy the flavours herbs add to foods can have their own fresh herbs. The growing of indoor herbs is quite practical and straightforward with the ideal setting for this process to be the kitchen. When cooking, one simply has to walk over to the indoor garden and snip a few fresh herbs and use them in dishes. If there is no room in the kitchen, herbs can be grown in any sunny room in the home. Here are a few tips and guidelines for growing indoor herbs.
Editor’s Note [29.11.24]:
Our original article “How to Grow An Indoor Herb Garden” was originally published on May 29, 2015. We have made revisions throughout as well as explaining the difference between a herb garden kit and a hydroponic herb garden.
Tips for Growing Herbs Indoors
Make your own indoor herb garden and have fresh herbs all year round, whether you use a hydroponic herb garden or traditional methods. This section will walk you through the basics, from choosing the right indoor herb planter to making sure your herbs get enough natural light and drainage.
Find a good spot
Herbs will need as much natural light as possible and should be placed in a sunny spot near a window, so they get a minimum of four hours of sun each day. South or southwest-facing windows are the best, but east or west-facing windows will suffice. Windows facing north generally are not bright enough so try to avoid placing herbs in these windows.
Drainage
Indoor herbs require good drainage; herbs do not do well when they are left to sit in water. This will cause the roots to rot so place a saucer, liner, or a draining pan under the herb pot so the water will drain from the soil and at the same time protect the surface upon which the pot sits. Furthermore, keep in mind clay pots do help with drainage, but they can dry out rather quickly. When growing herbs indoors, especially during the winter months when the heat from radiators may dry out the air, choosing a plastic or glazed container will probably work better.
Temperature
Indoor gardens are typically quite comfortable with indoor temperatures; they usually like the same temperatures that humans like, from about 18 to 21 degrees Centigrade. Though temperatures may drop to 12 or 15 degrees next to a window, do not worry. Herbs usually like this as well but be sure not to let the leaves touch the glass as this can cause them to catch a bit of frost and hinder development.
Guidelines for How to Grow an Indoor Herb Garden
Growing an indoor herb garden is easy and fun. In this section, you will find the basics for choosing the best herbs, containers and soil as well as herb care.
By following these tips, you will create the best conditions for your herb gardens to flourish, ensuring a steady supply of your own fresh herbs.
Selecting your herbs
Before starting herb gardens, you need to choose the preferred herbs that are to be grown. The most popular herbs that can be grown indoors are basil, rosemary, coriander, chives, oregano, parsley, sage, thyme and mint. For beginners, it may be best to start by only trying to grow two or three favourite herbs and then expanding your range as you get more confident.
Essential container and soil tips
Choosing the right container is the next step; it should have drainage holes and be deep enough to add rocks to the bottom of the container. This helps to create a reservoir for drainage of any excess water. The best soil for growing an indoor garden should be rich in organic material, like good quality potting soil. Avoid using soil from the garden because it will tend to strangle herb plants due to the soil being easily compacted.
Once the plants, container, and soil have been chosen the herbs can be planted in the containers like any other plants. Caring for the herbs after planting is very important. The four elements that make growing herbs indoors successful are:
- Humidity
- Light
- Temperature
- Water
Follow the tips given above for the proper light and temperature, but in addition to those tips avoid placing the herbs where they will be subject to drafts as this can offset the surrounding temperature and hinder development.
Caring for your herbs
Watering the herbs and the proper humidity are the final two elements. Herbs must be watered regularly and never permitted to dry out (but without overwatering them). Simply check the indoor garden daily and water when the top of the soil just begins to feel dry. At this stage, the lower layer of soil will still feel damp when sticking a finger into the soil.
It may also help to add a bit of water-soluble fertiliser to the water; do this only about once per month to give nutrients needed by the herbs. Indoor herbs like excellent air circulation and high humidity so misting them once per week is recommended. Another option is to place the container in a tray of pebbles and fill the tray with water. This will increase the humidity around the plants. If mildew presents itself simply increase the air circulation by adding a small fan.
What is an Indoor Herb Planter and How Does it Work?
An indoor herb planter is a pot designed for growing herbs inside your home. They have drainage and are perfect for a sunny spot like a windowsill. You can grow fresh herbs in your kitchen or living space and have them at your fingertips for cooking.
What Is the Difference Between an Indoor Herb Garden Kit and a Hydroponic Herb Garden?
An indoor herb garden kit has seeds, pots and soil to grow herbs in containers. A hydroponic herb garden uses water and nutrients instead of soil to grow herbs faster and often in smaller spaces. Both can be used for indoor herb growing but hydroponics may be better for some herbs.
Further Reading
We also strongly recommend reading our article 'From vertical to container gardening creative ideas for small gardens patios and urban spaces'. This contains useful content related to this blog post.
Conclusion
In summary, growing indoor herb gardens has been around for centuries, we can grow and enjoy fresh herbs all year round. Whether using a traditional indoor herb planter, indoor herb garden kit or even a hydroponic herb garden there are many options to grow your own herb garden at home. Make sure you have enough natural light and choose containers with drainage holes for healthy growth.
For those with limited outdoor space, an indoor garden is the perfect solution, herbs can thrive in a small pot or smart garden system. Add the right plant food and check on your herbs regularly and they will flourish. With built-in solar lights or LED grow lights even rooms without enough sunlight can support happy plants. An indoor herb garden adds some greenery, and fresh flavour and is an easy and fun project for those who want to grow their own herbs indoors.
Contact Information
Do you have any questions about starting an indoor herb garden or need tips on growing fresh herbs indoors? The Shedstore team is here to help. From choosing the right indoor herb pot to how a hydroponic herb garden works we have got you covered.
Do you want to know what is the best indoor herb garden kit or how to grow herbs indoors with the right amount of sunlight? Contact us today for personalised advice:
- Phone - reach us at 0333 003 0518
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