The herbs that grow well indoors include mint, chives, parsley, basil, oregano, and thyme. These six varieties adapt to container life and tolerate the lower light levels you find inside most homes. You can grow all of them on a sunny windowsill with basic care and attention to their needs.
I tested over a dozen herb varieties in my apartment over the past three years to see which ones worked. My mint and chives thrived even in rooms with just a few hours of direct sun each day. My basil plants needed a south-facing window to stay healthy and produce good leaves. I watched rosemary struggle and die twice before I gave up on growing it without supplemental lights. These experiments taught me which indoor growing herbs are worth your time and effort.
Mint tops my list because it tolerates shade better than almost any other culinary herb you can grow. Your mint plant will spread fast and produce plenty of leaves even in east-facing windows with limited sun. The only downside is that mint can take over a pot if you let it grow wild. Keep it in its own container away from your other herbs to control the spread.
Chives rank as the second easiest herb for indoor life in my experience. They handle low light well and bounce back fast after you cut them for cooking. Your chives will keep producing all year if you give them at least 4 to 6 hours of light daily. They also add a mild onion flavor that works great in eggs, salads, and baked potatoes.
Parsley handles missed waterings better than most herbs you can grow at home. This makes it a great choice if you travel or just forget to water sometimes. Your parsley plants prefer consistent moisture but will survive if you skip a few days between waterings. I found that flat-leaf parsley grows faster than curly varieties when grown indoors.
Basil needs more attention than the herbs above but rewards you with incredible flavor in your cooking. Keep your basil in the warmest spot you have with at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight each day. Basil hates cold drafts and will drop leaves fast if temperatures dip below 50°F (10°C) at night. Pinch off the flower buds when they appear to keep your plant producing leaves longer.
Oregano and thyme both come from the Mediterranean region and share similar needs in your home. They prefer drier soil than basil or parsley, so let the top inch dry out between waterings. Both herbs grow well in 6 hours of light and tolerate the warm, dry air you find in heated homes during winter. These two herbs also dry well for storage if you grow more than you can use fresh.
Rosemary gives indoor growers the most trouble of all the common cooking herbs. It comes from the same region as oregano and thyme but has fussier needs. This herb requires excellent drainage and cool nights that most heated homes cannot provide. Your rosemary may develop root rot or mildew indoors without proper care. Give it sandy soil and good air flow if you want to try growing it at home.
Start your indoor herb garden with the best indoor herb varieties for beginners before you tackle the hard ones. Grab a pot of mint and one of chives from your local nursery this weekend. Once those plants thrive under your care, add parsley and then basil to your collection. Save rosemary and cilantro for after you master the basics and know your home's growing conditions well.
Read the full article: Growing Herbs Indoors: Complete Guide
