Home / Garden / Herb Gardens
ByAnn Drake
Indoor herb gardening is easy! Add fresh herbs to your kitchen in no time by filling a trio of small pots. An easy way to have herbs at your fingertips!
About this time every year, I get the itch to work outside.
To get my hands dirty.
To clean up my yard and landscaping.
To figure out if any plants need replaced, and dream about the new ones I want to try.
Especially this year. Now that we’ve moved, and our outside spaces are still new to us, it will be even more fun to figure out how to make them beautiful. (The images in this post feature our kitchen on Sutton Place.) The problem is that here in Ohio, it’s just a bit too early for any of that. There’s no snow on the ground, but there is plenty of winter left. So I brought fresh herbs into the kitchen by planting little pots, and I thoroughly enjoyed getting my fingers in the dirt.
*Affiliate links included. See my disclosure statement.
Materials Needed for Growing Herbs
- Containers (I used thishammered metal pot set.)
- Fresh herbs
- Organic potting mix
- small pebbles (if desired)
Herbs That Successfully Grow Indoors
- Mint
- Basil
- Rosemary
- Chives
- Oregano
- Thyme
- Parsley
- Lemon Balm
- Cilantro
Finding The Plants
I was planning to go to a local nursery or Lowe’s to purchase herb plants, but was able to find bare root fresh herbs at my grocery store in the produce section. The plants are quite small, and the parsley wants to flop over, but I love this little herb garden all the same.
Planting
It took about five minutes to place the herbs into the little pots. There are drainage holes in the bottom of the pots, but just to make sure they had good drainage, I placed a small pile of pebbles in each pot before adding the soil. To water the pots, I simply place them in my sink, spray them lightly, and let them drain. In no time you’ll be harvesting your herbs to add delightful flavor and taste to your favorite dishes.
Container Ideas
Fresh herbs in the kitchen help to hurry spring along, and they add fresh greenery to your counter or windowsill. Any containers you happen to have on hand will work. Mason jars, terra cotta clay pots, colanders, large coffee mugs, baskets, tin cans, or even small bowls. Just make sure to add pebbles to the bottom of your containers for adequate drainage, especially if there are no holes. That way your herb roots won’t rot.
Free Printable Herb Markers
Would you like free printable markers for your kitchen herb garden? These cute little tags can be added to your containers with a clothespin, or attach the tags to a string, and tie them on your pots.
Propagating Herbs
If you can’t find herb plants, it’s easy to propagate herbs from stems.
- Just buy fresh, cut herbs at the grocery store. (Basil and mint are especially easy to propagate.)
- Pick out 4 or 5 nice herb stems.
- Strip the bottom half of any leaves, and give the ends a fresh cut.
- Place the stems in a jar of water.
- In two to three weeks, the stems will have new growth at the roots, and they can be planted in potting soil.
- It’s a good idea to change the water every few days, and place the jar in a sunny spot.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do indoor herb gardens really work?
Yes…and they are very low maintenance. Just provide adequate but not too much moisture, good air circulation, several hours of sun per day, and try to keep pests away.
How long does an indoor herb garden last?
In my experience, they last a few months. I start an indoor herb garden in the very early spring, and as soon as there is no chance of frost, I move the herbs outdoors.
What is the best way to grow indoor herbs?
- Follow the directions in this post!
- Use a grow light.
- Invest in an AeroGarden. You can grow microgreens, vegetables, lavender, tomatoes, and herbs. (If I had more counter space, I would definitely get one!)
- Use an indoor herb garden starter kit. Starter kits supply everything you need to get an herb garden planted and growing in no time.
- Set your pots in saucers of water and place them in a sunny windowsill.
Does an indoor garden of herbs need fertilizer?
Yes! Indoor herb gardens will greatly appreciate the boost and nutrients a few applications of indoor fertilizer will give them.
More ideas for adding fresh herbs to your kitchen!
- Mason Jar Herb Garden
- Farmhouse Style Herb Garden Basket
- Small One Planter Kitchen Herb Garden
- Healing Herbs You Can Grow At Home
I hope the sun is shining where you are, and that your day is filled with only good things. Until next time…
