Herbs are great on almost all dishes. They add a special flavor and make your food rich. But the herbs are only as good as the situation they grow in. So what better way than to set up some much-needed herbs as indoor plants in your home? But before you take the next step, know that not all plants can thrive in that particular ecosystem.
During this pandemic, we have seen a lot more people growing plants and herbs in their homes. If you think about it, this whole situation is much more economical and environment-friendly than buying plants from the supermarket.
Indoor Herbs vs. Indoor Plants
Herbs, in general, are more popular for growing indoors because they aren’t as easily infested by insects and diseases as indoor-grown plants are. Indoor plants are usually prone to different types of insects and parasites that ruin them. If the weather is dry and hot, you will find that most house plants are affected by red spider mites. Sometimes the plants are affected by rust too. However, with herbs, you need not worry about this.
Another reason why you consider growing herbs at home is that they require very little maintenance. All you need to start your herb garden are a few seeds. This saves you time and money.
Now that we know how effective herbs are and how easily they can be grown, it is time for you to plant some of the best herbs and spice up your food.
What are the top herbs to grow indoors?
1) Parsley
The parsley is yet another herb that grows perfectly indoors and gives you yield throughout the seasons. You can either grow them from the parsley seeds or dig up some of the existing ones from your outdoor garden and place them in a fertile pot.
The best and easiest of all the parsleys to grow is the Italian Parsley. This herb requires simple methods for harvest and is a planter’s favorite because it can be grown throughout the year.
All you have to do is plant the seeds in a pot and put it in a place that receives plenty of sunlight. You must also ensure that the soil is moist. If you notice the leaves getting yellow, add a bit of fertilizer to the soil for nourishment. The ideal season to plant this herb is either autumn or spring.
The parsley, too, loves sunlight and requires constant moisture in the soil to grow to its full potential. Just like in the case of the basil plant, pinch off the ends of the parsley plant to ensure that it grows to its full length.
Another thing that the parsley loves is fish emulsion. So, once every three weeks, dig a small hole in the pot and put some fish emulsion in it.
2) Rosemary
A rosemary herb can be planted anywhere. Whether you have an indoor garden, some extra space on the balcony or even a full outdoor garden. One thing you want to keep in mind about a rosemary herb is that you will need to add in a little bit of effort for it to live and thrive.
This herb grows best in rainwater soil, and can also grow quite tall and wide. We recommend you plant it outdoors initially. Once it grows out, you can trim it to an ideal size and then keep it indoors.
3) Kratom
Contrary to what you may have heard, kratom can definitely be grown indoors. It’s just a bit difficult to replicate a tropical climate throughout the entire year. It can be especially costly if you live in cooler areas like Vancouver or Edmonton. You will also need to provide the plant with sufficient indoor lighting, such as high-intensity discharge (HID) light bulbs. However, make sure that the bulb is kept at a safe distance from the plant as the light can be a bit too strong for it. If you go down this path, just remember to frequently maintain a balance between giving the plant fresh air as well as keeping the temperature relatively stable and warm.
4) Basil
If you are looking for an herb that is easy to grow and maintain, then basil is the herb for you. This herb doesn’t take a lot of effort and can be grown anywhere – from your indoor garden to the backyard. Basil gives off a very pleasant fragrance too; so if you plant it indoors, your room will be filled with the organic smell of basil.
It has other benefits too. According to the Journal of Ayurvedic and Integrative Medicine, basil has the qualities of antidepressants and anti-anxiety properties.
The most popularly grown herb indoors is basil, and it gives you yield all year round. The plant loves a lot of sunlight and frequent watering. With that said, the soil shouldn’t be drenched in water. Instead, it should be just moist, meaning you have to water the plant once a day, and some sprinkles on the top would do the trick.
You can plant the basil seeds in a pot and place the pot on a windowsill that receives plenty of sunlight. Also, make sure the soil is moist and well-drained. To keep the soil in this condition, you have to keep pruning it. This will ensure that the herb stays green and healthy.
To ensure the plant reaches its full potential, pinch off the leaves from the top frequently and use them in your food items.
5) Chives
Chives are one of those herbs that grow better outdoors and may require a little bit of extra effort in maintenance. However, once you start growing them for yourself, you will be surprised by the money you save on this spice.
Chives have an oniony flavor to them and are a blessing on your soups, pasta, and salads. To grow this flavorful herb, all you need to provide is a small pot of fertile soil, lots of sunlight, and ample water. Place the pot on a south-facing window or where it can receive up to 6 hours of daylight in a day. Like the basil plant, the roots of the chives shouldn’t be drenched in water, as it can lead to easy decay of the plant.
If the above conditions are perfect and you have provided a good drainage system for the pot, chives can easily grow indoors. Cut off the tips of the plant when you need it for your salad bowls or soups.
This herb grows mainly in cold-weather regions. Hence, make sure that the soil is well-watered and kept in a comparatively cooler temperature that also receives adequate sunlight.
6) Lavender
You might wonder if lavender is an herb. Well, not exactly. However, lavender can be used to flavor certain dishes. It becomes especially handy while baking. Lavender essence, for example, is the most sought-after essence for cakes. The smell of this essence makes the cake tastier. Besides, you can use it as a decor plant. Having a pot of lavender looks quite aesthetically pleasing too.
Some research shows that Lavender can be useful for treating anxiety and insomnia.
The lavender plant is very easy to maintain. All you need to do is plant the flower, put the pot under sunlight, and water it regularly. No frequent trimming or maintenance is required!
7) Tarragon
The tarragon, just like the parsley plant, loves a lot of sunlight, ample moisture, and some fish fertilizer every once in a while.
Even though the tarragon thrives well in indoor pots, you will have to invest in a larger, rectangular pot to help it reach its full potential. But if the only purpose is to get some leaves for your food, a small pot would be more than enough.
8) Thyme
Thyme is another one of the easiest herbs to grow at home. It likes a lot of sunlight, and the best place to keep the thyme pot would be on an east-facing or west-facing window. Like other herbs on this list, thyme loves slightly moist soil too.
While harvesting, cut out a whole stem just an inch above the root part. Dry it in the sun and use it as required.
Final Thoughts
Growing herbs as indoor plants are quite easy. They just require ample sunlight light, moist soil, and some fish fertilizer once in a while to ensure that the earth is afresh with nutrients essential for their growth. So why wait? Get your favorite herbs’ seed pockets and start cultivating them now!
