Can You Grow Herbs Indoors?

Suitable Herbs

• Not all herbs are suitable for growing inside. Some varieties are also more difficult to grow, and require more maintenance. For the beginner indoor gardener, herbs like chives, mint, bay, lemongrass and thyme can all be grown indoors quite easily. If you're up for a more challenging project, you can plant basil or sage. More difficult plants require more maintenance and a careful eye. You must make sure that they get the exact amount of sun and water that they need, because too much or too little will kill the plant.

Equipment Needed

• To grow plants indoors, you need several different pots. Unless you know that certain herbs can coexist, it is best to plant herbs in their own containers. You will need different sizes of containers based on the type of herb. Chives grow well in pots, but bay needs larger pots or tubs, for example. Get a small watering can so you can direct it when you water the small pots, and use a mister for spraying the leaves. Place a stand or rack for the pots by a window with lots of light, preferably south facing. If you don't get a lot of light in your home, you may also need a fluorescent lighting source to supplement the natural light.

Maintenance

• Water your plants regularly if you want them to survive but be sure to follow optimum watering suggestions for the type of herb you are growing. Seed packets will often list this information. For example, sage should dry out before you water it again, but rosemary should not. Make sure that your plants get sun every day. Ideally, turn the plants partway through the day so that both sides are exposed to sun. Fertilize herbs in small quantities, and only about once a month. If a herb grows too quickly it will become less flavorful.

Harvesting

• Much of the fun of growing herbs comes when you use your fresh plants in your cooking. Use herbs regularly when they start to branch out, so that your herb stays shrubby. When you harvest some of the herb for use, never take more than one-third of the plant. Again, research each herb for individual recommendations on how and when to harvest. Pick leaves of a bay plant about six weeks after you plant it. If you want to dry leaves, cut them off before any flowers bloom.