Growing herbs can be super easy or it can be a real challenge and some herbs are too much for even the most experienced gardeners.
Our picks for the best herbs to grow indoors are all super easy to grow, look after and they taste great, anyone can raise them and enjoy them, even if you’re short on space.
Basil
Basil’s very easy to grow, place it in the sun and let it soak up the warmth on a south-facing window ledge.
It doesn’t like being cold at all, so make sure to keep it out of any drafts that flow through the room too.
Of course, it’s brilliant as a base for your homemade pesto and can really spice up almost any vegetable or tomato dish.
For indoor growing, try to choose a dwarf variety of basil and that way won’t overrun its pot and end up all over the floor.
Cilantro
That distinct taste of cilantro either makes it a big hit on the family dinner table or a big miss. That’s OK, if you like that peppery spiciness of the herb then you ought to grow some indoors.
As with basil, cilantro likes the sun, so pop it on a south (or even east) facing window and it’ll start happily climbing to the sky.
You can pop it in a salad or use it to give a stir-fry or even a salsa a bit of personality.
For indoor growing, you can use nearly any type of cilantro though we like Santo as it offers a longer harvesting season than some other varieties.
Mint
Mint needs no introduction but it’s worth noting, you need to grow it in a separate pot from other herbs or it will crowd out its rivals.
An east-facing window is perfect for mint and make sure to water the soil well to keep it happy.
Then add it to deserts, mint sauce or even your hot chocolate for a burst of sharp flavor!
Spearmint and peppermint are perfect choices for indoor growing.
Parsley
The great palate cleanser, parsley, loves to grow indoors but it has long roots, so make sure to house it in a tall pot.
You can use it as a garnish in nearly any dish and add it to salads too. Don’t throw out the stems, they’re great for adding a boost to the taste of a fresh stock!
Pop it in a south-facing window and it will do well, taking about 3 weeks to germinate, give or take.
Sage
Sage is a classic addition to game dishes as well as cheeses, stuffing and bread mixes and there are, quite literally, dozens of types of safe to choose from.
It too likes the heat and sun in a south-facing window and you will need to replace it every few years, as it’s not the longest-lived herb.
We like the dwarf garden variety for our windowsills and it tends to top out under a foot in height.
Chives
Chives are a form of onion and they grow in clumps. It’s important to split these clumps up every 3 years or so if you want them to last as long as possible.
We love their fresh taste and they rock on a baked potato or in soups, salads, and even cheeses.
They’re very easy to grow (choose a south or east-facing window) and they like it quite moist, they take 3 months to emerge from seed, though, so you might want to buy live plants if you’re super hungry.
Dill
Dill is one of the best herbs to grow indoors as it’s super hardy and boy does it taste good blended into a sauce with mustard or cream.
You can use the leaves in salads or on potatoes too.
We’d opt for a dwarf variety to grow inside as dill can get a little tall, the dwarf varieties don’t tend to go over 18 inches, thankfully.
Pop it in a south facing window and it will be super happy.
Oregano
The ultimate pizza herb and also the star of many a Mediterranean dish, Oregano has no problems with growing indoors, either.
As long as you have a nice south-facing window for it to hang out in, it will thrive, but be warned, you’ll need to replace it every couple of years or so, it’s quite a short-lived plant.
We’d choose Greek Oregano for our herb garden as it stays at a sensible height of around one foot.
Rosemary
What would roast lamb be without a few sprigs of rosemary? Of course, it also goes really well with roasted vegetables for those that have chosen the plant-based life.
The scent of rosemary is amazing and we like to grow it in the living room window so that we can just go and take a big deep breath of it every now and again.
Try to keep the soil dry-ish though don’t let it dry out completely as rosemary is from warmer, drier climates than most herbs, originally.
Thyme
Thyme is also one of the best herbs to grow indoors due to its nature as a compact herb that takes up almost no space – in fact, you can grow any variety easily on a window ledge.
It’s fantastic in soups, with meat, with vegetables and in a stew, you can’t go wrong when you add a bit of thyme to a dish.
Final Thoughts On Herbs To Grow Indoors
Herbs are super easy to grow indoors, they often provide multiple crops from the same batch and they add huge amounts of flavor to your meals.
So, what are you waiting for? Why not start an indoor herb garden, today?
Want to grow some stuff to eat with your herbs? Then check out our guides on how to grow microgreens, how to grow your own food in the city and our urban kitchen gardening guide!
