How to Grow a Small Indoor Herb Garden

Easy Tips for Fresh Herbs All Year from Liz Chandler @PurlsAndPixels🪴

It’s cold and icky today, and I miss my plants. So, I’m working on growing an indoor herb garden. I picked up three little herb plants at the grocery store last week. It seemed like a great idea at the time. Sadly, the mint got powdery mildew and the basil came pre-loaded with aphids. The chickens got to eat the basil since it’s good for them and they don’t mind the little bugs, but the mint had to go in the trash because mold is bad for chickens. Now it’s just me and the rosemary holding strong. Lesson learned: starting from seed is the best way to grow an indoor herb garden. That’s what I’m doing today to get my winter plant fix. 🌿

Growing rosemary in an indoor herb garden adds a lovely smell and a great kitchen spice.

Why Grow an Indoor Herb Garden?

Beyond the obvious perks of having fresh ingredients at your fingertips, herbs are a whole experience. Just brushing your hand against a rosemary plant or pinching off a basil leaf releases a burst of fresh scent that can instantly lift your mood. They bring a little life to the kitchen, even in the dead of winter. Plus, growing an indoor herb garden means no mystery pesticides or surprise infestations – just fresh, happy plants ready to make your food (and your space) better. 🍃

Basil is an amazing plant to grow in your indoor herb garden. Here is potted basil pictured with knitting by Liz Chandler @PurlsAndPixels.

Picking the Right Herbs

Some herbs thrive indoors, while others throw a fit and die. If you’re just getting started, go for low-maintenance, high-reward options like:

Basil – Loves warmth and plenty of sunlight.
Mint – Grows like wild but is prone to mildew, so give it some space.
Thyme – Hardy, aromatic, and great for soups and roasts.
Rosemary – Sturdy and resilient, assuming you don’t drown it.
Oregano – Perfect for Italian dishes and super easy to maintain.

Best Location for Your Indoor Herb Garden

Herbs are not high-maintenance, but they do have standards:

Light – Most need six hours of sunlight a day. A south-facing window is best, but a grow light works if your house is more cave than greenhouse.
Temperature – If you’re comfortable, your herbs probably are, too. Aim for 65-75°F.
Air Circulation – Stagnant air leads to mold. A little airflow keeps things fresh.

Keeping herbs like mint indoors can help keep pests (like this grasshopper) at bay.

Choosing the Right Containers

Herbs hate wet feet. Pick pots with drainage holes. If you’re using a decorative pot with no drainage, put a plastic nursery pot inside or add pebbles to the bottom to avoid root rot.

Best Soil for Indoor Herbs

Regular garden soil is too heavy. Use a light, well-draining potting mix. Mixing in a little perlite or sand helps with drainage, which means fewer sad, soggy plants.

How to Water and Feed Your Indoor Herbs

I prefer to water my herbs from the bottom, placing cute or plain white pots onto plates and watering the plate. This way, the plants take up only what they need, and I avoid soggy soil disasters. It also keeps the leaves dry, which helps prevent powdery mildew and mold.

When you grow an indoor herb garden, herbs are not thirsty divas. Stick your finger an inch into the soil. If it’s dry, water. If it’s damp, leave it alone. Overwatering is the number one killer of indoor herbs. A diluted liquid fertilizer every few weeks keeps them happy, but too much can make them grow fast and taste weak.

Upcycled baby food jars make for excellent herb watering cans. Learn how to remove baby food jar labels here.

Starting from Seed

Since my store-bought herbs turned into a disaster, I’m growing an indoor herb garden from seed. They take a little longer, but you avoid mystery pests and grocery store neglect. Use a seed-starting mix, keep the soil slightly damp (not swampy), and be patient. Some herbs, like basil, sprout quickly, while rosemary takes its sweet time.

Little seeds take time to sprout, but it is worth it to help avoid pests on your indoor herb garden.

How to Harvest Herbs for Maximum Growth

The best part? Snipping off fresh herbs when you need them. But don’t go hacking away randomly. Follow these rules:

Trim regularly – Pinch off leaves frequently to encourage bushy growth. Never let it flower, or the plant will start to decline.
Never take more than one-third of the plant – Keep it healthy and productive.
Harvest in the morning – This is when herbs have the most oils (aka flavor).

Flowering herbs are beautiful, but much less tasty. Try to pinch off the flowers before they open.

Troubleshooting Indoor Herb Gardening: Common Problems & Fixes

Leggy growth? Not enough light. Move them closer to a window or add a grow light.
Yellowing leaves? Overwatering. Let the soil dry out before watering again.
Mildew or mold? Increase air circulation and avoid getting the leaves too wet.
Aphids? Wash them off with soapy water or unleash the wrath of ladybugs.

Ladybugs love aphids... you may not want to actually set them free indoors. Rather, take your herbs outside on a nice day and let the ladybugs eat the aphids. — Ladybugs love aphids… you may not want to actually set them free indoors. Rather, take your herbs outside on a nice day and let the ladybugs eat the aphids.

Start Your Indoor Herb Garden Today

Growing an indoor herb garden is one of the easiest ways to bring a little green into your home. Plus, fresh herbs make everything taste better. Whether you’re dodging winter like I am or just want a steady supply of basil, growing herbs indoors is low-effort and high-reward. So, grab some seeds, plant something, and let’s pretend it’s spring! 🌿

Recommended Supplies for Growing an Indoor Herb Garden

Need supplies? Here are some of my favorite tools and essentials to get started (affiliate links to Amazon):

P.S.

It’s not too late to start your own seedlings for your summer garden! If you’re already thinking ahead to warmer days, now is the perfect time to get those seeds going. Check out my New Year’s Day seedling planting guide for tips on getting a head start on your best garden yet.