How To Grow Herbs Indoors
July 29, 2008
Learning how to grow herbs indoors is not much different than growing them outdoors. Several varieties will do just as well in either, as long as you take care of them. With an indoor herb garden, it is important to keep the pots well-watered, as they lose moisture rapidly. Other than that, indoor gardening is just about the same as doing it outdoors.
Herbs are really low maintenance. Put them in appropriate soil and they’ll flourish with almost no help at all. They can even thrive in conditions which would be very hard on most other plants. They hardly need fertilizer, can tolerate droughts and will return each new year. Just keep an eye on the amount of sunlight they receive - be sure they are able to bask in plenty of sunshine wherever they grow.
Which herbs are the best to choose when learning how to grow herbs indoors?
The Bay Laurel is a Mediterranean native and requires mostly sun and dry soil. As long as the pot has a good drainage system it can do well in an indoor herb garden. This particular herb will need plenty of sunshine and should be planted in moist potting soil making the sure the pot will be large enough so it doesn’t get root bound. Within the first year, as long as it receives at least 6 hours of sun a day, you will be amazed when it outgrows its pot.
Although chives can grow well in a pot, they excel when planted in a garden. They will produce beautiful flowers that are purple in color. Chives succeed in growing well when planted in bunches. They absorb the heat and sprout up to a foot or even more. They can last for years and do well during winter in colder climates. Remember when clipping the leaves to do so close to the base instead of further up.
If you want to grow an indoor herb, parsley should be your choice. When planted outside, parsley might last one season. But it will last much longer, many years in fact, if grown in a pot. Keep in mind that you have an easier time growing from leaves. All you have to do is trim the outer leaves since the new ones grow from the center. Just remember that parsley loves a sunny spot. Keep it on a window facing south, assuming you live in the Northern Hemisphere obviously, and watch your plant thrive.
Keep Lavender outside until you want to incorporate it into potpourri or a sachet. Its lovely pinkish-purple hues are great for ground cover and will keep your garden smelling fresh.
Most herbs can thrive well even in winter and will have no problem growing in a container or a basket. The important thing to remember when learning how to grow herbs indoors is that the soil medium you used is a mixture of clay and sandy loam which is best for ensuring water retention. Just enough water is required, not too much. You can really appreciate their beauty and aroma whether indoors or out. Besides, when harvested, herbs are also perfect seasonings for our favorite menu.
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