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Regardless of the weather outside, parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme can bring beauty and fragrance to your home anytime of the year. Fresh herbs liven up your recipes with little effort and oh so much pleasure! Just a few pots, a bright windowsill and a little attention will keep your herbs happy for months to come.
The first, and one of the most important things to consider, is drainage. Be sure that the pot has sufficient drainage holes as most herbs don't like to have wet feet. The soil should be a quality grade potting soil that drains well. Never use garden soil, it will become too compact for the roots to grow through easily. An organic potting mix is ideal if you will be using the herbs for cooking.
Light is an important factor to consider as well. A garden window would be ideal, but you can make do with a sunny windowsill, preferably with a south facing exposure. Most herbs are happy with six or more hours of sunlight a day. If you cannot provide adequite light, a grow light can be installed for little money. Most garden centers or hardware stores carry a variety of artificial lighting to suit your needs.
Water your plants when the top of the soil feels dry. Although herbs don't require much fertilizer when grown outdoors, they will appreciate an occasional feeding, especially during the growing season. An organic fertilizer would be preferable.
Herbs should grow well in temperatures that are comfortable for people. Most herbs are very forgiving and will tolerate differences in light and temperature if they are not extreme.
Some varieties adjust better than others to growing indoors, so it is important before buying plants or seeds, that you read the label to see if that plant will do well indoors. You may also want to consider the size that the plant will become as you won't want a large bush taking over your kitchen! Most herbs don't mind being a bit crowded in the pot, the size of the pot will curb the growth to an extent. Mint, chives, thyme, rosemary and oregano are good plants to consider growing indoors.
Winter doesn't have to mean the end of your outdoor herb garden either. Many smaller herbs can be potted up and brought indoors for the winter. This may require some adjustment, such as to light and temperature. Be sure to clean up the plant and check for pests before bringing them indoors. If the plant is too large, as is my 5'x6' rosemary bush, you can take cuttings and place them in a loose potting soil. Mist the cuttings often to provide the moisture the plant needs to start rooting. Many herbs such as basil, mint and rosemary can be easily be rooted in water.
Growing herbs indoors can be rewarding and enjoyable and anyone can do it, so give it a try!
Thanks to Weezingreens and julie88 for the use of their pictures.
About Karen Jones
I live in the mountains of San Diego county in a tiny rural town. I inherited a love for gardening from my mother and use herbs and flowers from my garden to make bath products.
Posted by GeorgiaJo (from Dallas, GA) on December 10, 2007 at 8:02 PM:
I picked up a little pot of chamomile 1/2 price at the summer plant closeout at the local nursery. I put it in the guest room where I already had a small grow-light setup with some other plants. My last houseguest said she never slept so well!
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Subject: Fantastic article!
Posted by ottoson (from Riley, KS) on December 4, 2007 at 4:12 PM:
The only thing you left out is that your house is the best-smelling place in the world and reading your article makes me want to hop on a plane and come visit again! Seriously, your article is very informative and your mother would be proud!
On the other hand, I think if you were a REAL trooper you'd bring that monster rosemary bush inside for the winter...LOL! Or send some cuttings to your niece...... :)
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Subject: Great article!
Posted by art_n_garden (from Colorado Springs, CO) on December 4, 2007 at 3:55 PM:
Makes me want to go start some seeds tonight. I've never had much luck with herbs indoors, but I'm inspired to try again in my kitchen window. Thank you for the ideas!
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Posted by Dea (from Frederick, MD) on December 4, 2007 at 7:03 PM:
Agree - great article and bet your house smells super good!!
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Posted by karri_sue (from Jacumba, CA) on December 4, 2007 at 7:50 PM:
Thanks for the support, art & Dea. My house does smell good right now, I just made some bath teas! That's a future article!
Karen
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Posted by victorgardener (from Lower Hudson Valley, NY) on December 4, 2007 at 9:07 PM:
Very nice Karen! Would love to do it but can't with my cat.
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Posted by karri_sue (from Jacumba, CA) on December 4, 2007 at 9:17 PM:
Thank you, Victor! Maybe your cat would like it if you grew catnip indoors!
Karen
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Posted by victorgardener (from Lower Hudson Valley, NY) on December 4, 2007 at 9:32 PM:
That he would! I grow some outside and bring it in for him.
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Posted by Islandshari (from Kwajalein
(Marshall Islands)) on December 16, 2007 at 5:56 PM:
Karri - just had a chance to read this article...great job! You make it sound so easy to have the wonderful tastes and aromas in your home year round! Hope you have inspired many to give it a go!
Yokwe,
Shari
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Posted by karri_sue (from Jacumba, CA) on December 16, 2007 at 9:24 PM:
Thank you, Shari for your comments!
Karen
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Subject: Thanks for the temptation!
Posted by podster (from Deep East Texas, TX) on December 4, 2007 at 9:21 AM:
Thanks for the temptation! LOL We should enjoy just having some green thru winter. Something that smells good and is edible will be icing on the cake. Good and informative article.
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Posted by karri_sue (from Jacumba, CA) on December 4, 2007 at 7:47 PM:
Thank you for your response, Podster, good to hear from you again!
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Posted by podster (from Deep East Texas, TX) on December 4, 2007 at 8:56 PM:
Hi Karri_Sue ~ I am surprised that neither the herb forum nor this interesting article is getting the views that I would have expected. Guess what with the holidays some of us are distracted. Not I, lol.
Are you thinking of writing more?
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Posted by karri_sue (from Jacumba, CA) on December 4, 2007 at 9:13 PM:
Yes, I am working on one about the many uses of lavender and a couple more if I am chosen as a permanent writer next month! One of the articles will be about using herbs to scent your home and it will have the recipe for a potpourri using Cleveland Sage. I just hope I get to continue writing.
Thanks for the support!
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Posted by podster (from Deep East Texas, TX) on December 4, 2007 at 10:38 PM:
Ahhhh Cleveland Sage. I open the container and just sniff ~ I think I love it... Thanks much. I look forward to more herbal articles. Good luck!
