All of which begs the question, why don’t more people grow herbs indoors? Many people refrain from the practice because they think that it is too difficult to grow herbs indoors. They may assume that grow lights are needed, for example. While it is true that most herbs are easier to grow outdoors than indoors, the main things you need for success in growing many herbs indoors are simply a sunny window, a pest-free plant (inspect seedlings carefully before buying), and a little knowledge about plant needs. Here are 10 herbs you can grow indoors all year long. Grow basil in a large, deep pot. A large pot is especially important if you will be growing multiple basil plants in the pot: Basil is susceptible to fungal diseases, which can be controlled by providing good air circulation through sufficient spacing (12 inches). For the same reason, avoid overhead watering. A deep pot will allow you to strike the required balance between good drainage and moisture retention.
Mature height: 18-24 inches tall and wideSun exposure: south-facing window in winterSoil needs: Basil needs good drainage, but not so sharp that water drains through immediately; it likes evenly moist soil. Use high-quality potting soil. Feed it with an all-purpose fertilizer.
Once catnip puts on some height, pinch it early and often to prevent flowering, and give the pinchings to your grateful feline friend.
Mature height: 2 to 3 feet tall and wideSun exposure: west-facing or south-facing window in winterSoil needs: good drainage; minimal fertilization needed; low to average water needs
Chives will multiply over time. When your chives form a good-sized mass, consider dividing them. If you dig underneath them, you’ll find bulblets and a dense mass of roots. You can easily break off a clump (consisting of three or four plants) and transplant it to another pot.
Mature height: 10 to 15 inches tall and wideSun exposure: can survive in a west-facing window in winterSoil needs: good drainage; feed with an all-purpose fertilizer; average water needs
Mature height: 1 to 2 feet tall, 1 to 3 feet wideSun exposure: south-facing window in winterSoil needs: good drainage; minimal fertilization needed; average water needs
Not as fussy about humidity as rosemary, oregano can still profit from having a little extra humidity. An easy answer is to place its pot on a tray filled with moistened pebbles.
Mature height: 2 feet tall, 18 inches wideSun exposure: south-facing window in winterSoil needs: good drainage; use an all-purpose fertilizer; low to average water needs
Mature height: 9 to 12 inches tall and wideSun exposure: can survive in a west-facing window in winterSoil needs: Parsley needs good drainage, but not so sharp that water drains through immediately; it likes evenly moist soil. Use a high-quality potting soil. Minimal fertilization required.
Like basil, rosemary is just a bit fussier to grow indoors than most of the other selections here. This is mainly because it likes high humidity, a condition that many Northern homes lack in winter. To address this challenge, build a tent around your rosemary to trap moisture. Simply install (at a height greater than that of the plant) stakes in the pot, and drape clear plastic over the stakes. Lift up the plastic to gain access when watering, then replace the plastic. As the water evaporates, the tent will trap it and increase humidity.
Mature height: 2 to 6 feet tall, 2 to 4 feet wideSun exposure: south-facing window in winterSoil needs: sharp drainage; minimal need for fertilizer; low to average water needs
Mature height: 2 to 2.5 feet tall, 2 to 3 feet wideSun exposure: south-facing window in winterSoil needs: sharp drainage; minimal need to fertilize
An extra benefit of growing this herb indoors, rather than outdoors in the garden, is that it is invasive. Being contained in a pot on your windowsill, it has nowhere to go.
Mature height: 18 to 36 inches tall, with a narrower spreadSun exposure: west-facing window in winterSoil needs: good drainage; minimal fertilization needed
Thyme is the opposite of rosemary in one respect: It likes low humidity. So save the windowsill in the kitchen (a room that tends to be more humid than most) for your rosemary and find a sunny windowsill in a drier room for your thyme. Thyme is drought-tolerant and can actually be harmed if it gets too much water.
Mature height: 6 to 12 inches tall and wideSun exposure: south-facing window in winterSoil needs: sharp drainage; minimal fertilization needs
