Herbs to Grow in the Kitchen

Rosemary

• Rosemary lends its strong flavor to meat, soups, stews and breads. This perennial herb loves bright light, so a sunny window is ideal for growing rosemary. Water the plant every five to seven days, keeping the soil a bit drier than you would for other plants. Given enough room to grow, rosemary becomes a small shrub in a few years' time. If you will be growing rosemary outdoors, be sure to bring in the plant when cold weather approaches, as frost may harm or kill the plant.

Basil

• Basil has many varieties and is used abundantly in Italian, Thai and Mediterranean cuisines. This plant requires bright light, warm temperatures and plenty of water. Plant basil in well-drained soil to allow excess water to drain from the container, preventing root rot. Fertilize the plant regularly and pinch away flowers as they form to encourage its continued growth.

Sage

• Sage is used to flavor meats, soups and stirfrys. Pineapple sage has a sweeter flavor than garden sage, Greek sage or Berggarten sage, and is often used in desserts. Provide this plant with plenty of sunlight and extremely well-drained soil. Sage does not need large amounts of water when grown indoors, but it does requires regular watering whether grown indoors or out. Sage grows well in hot summer temperatures, and thrives at indoor or "room" temperature. Sage can tolerate cooler temperatures, even to 15 degrees Fahrenheit, but it is best to bring it inside for the winter months.

Parsley

• Parsley is perhaps the most commonly used herb, added to everything from soups and salads to dressings and sauces. A biennial herb, parsley grows for two seasons before it needs replacing. Parsley requires partial sunlight, as too much sun causes the plant to dry out and eventually die. A "heavy feeder," plenty of water is required, as well as bi-weekly fertilization, to maintain its strong growth rate. Due to the amount of water required, well-drained soil and a container with good drainage are ideal for parsley.

Thyme

• Used in meats, vegetables and breads, thyme grows up to 1 foot tall when given the space. Thyme is fragrant and produces delicate flowers as it reaches maturity. Different varieties of this herb include French thyme, English thyme, lemon thyme and caraway thyme. Often grown as a kitchen garden herb, thyme thrives in small pots or hanging planters. Full sun encourages abundant growth. When watering, soak the soil thoroughly then allow it to dry out once more before watering again.

Chives

• A member of the onion family and gifted with a flavor similar to onions, chives are used in soups and egg and vegetable dishes. Varieties of chives include pink chives, Chinese chives and garlic chives. Chives prefer rich, well-drained soil, though they will tolerate lower quality and even poor soil. Water this herb daily and set it in a sunny window to ensure that it receives all of the sunlight exposure it needs. Pinch off flowers and flower stems when chives begin to bloom, as this ensures a larger crop of chives.