9 Beginner Tips for Growing Herbs Indoors: Experts Share Their Ideas

If you’re interested in dipping your toe into growing your own food, you’ve come to the right place. By far the easiest food to start growing are herbs. Growing herbs saves money, reduces waste, and ensures you always have the perfect amount on hand to complete your culinary creations.

Whether you’re renting an apartment in Scottsdale, buying a home in Albuquerque, or renting a home in Kansas City, you can learn how to grow your own herbs. ApartmentGuide reached out to homesteading bloggers, plant shops, and chefs to compile nine tips for beginners starting their journey growing herbs indoors. Read on to learn more. 

1. Pick your herbs to grow

There are a lot of herbs out there. Some are easier to grow than others, and if you’re just starting out with creating your herb garden, it can be good to start with some that are sure to flourish. Below are five easy-to-grow and versatile herbs that you can use for a variety of recipes.

Basil

Famous for uses in pesto and as a garnish in pastas, basil is one herb in your garden that’s sure to get used. “Basil thrives in sunny spots and is easy to grow in pots,” says Erin Turner of The Farm at Spring Creek. “I love to use herb snips and mix it into salads or put it on hummus. Basil needs a sunny window and regular watering. Pinch off the flowers to encourage leaf growth and keep it from turning bitter.”

Mint

Mint is a versatile herb known for its refreshing aroma and flavor, often used in culinary dishes, beverages, and for its medicinal properties. “Mint really only needs a half a chance to live because it is so hardy and can grow in a variety of conditions, but you’ll want to keep it in a pot because it will take over,” says Erin Turner of The Farm at Spring Creek. “It’s perfect for teas, cocktails, and garnishes, or just stir some into your water.”

Rosemary

Rosemary is an aromatic herb with needle-like leaves, frequently used in culinary dishes to impart a rich, earthy flavor to meats, breads, and roasted vegetables. “Rosemary smells incredible and enhances many dishes, especially meats and stews,” says Erin Turner of The Farm at Spring Creek. “It’s relatively low-maintenance. You can grow it in a pot with good drainage, in full sun if possible. Let the soil dry out between waterings.”

Parsley

Parsley is a bright green, biennial herb commonly used as a garnish or seasoning, known for its fresh, slightly peppery flavor that enhances the taste of a variety of dishes. “Whether you want curly for a garnish or flat-leaf for a kitchen staple, parsley is a must-have for a kitchen garden. Although it can be perceived as ‘just a garnish,’ this delicious herb adds bright flavors and a gorgeous shade of green to soups, salads, and sauces.” says the team from Barn Owl Garden. “You can pick individual leaves by pinching stems near the base. Planting in a deep pot and providing strong light will give your parsley what it needs to thrive!” 

Chives

Chives are a perennial herb related to onions and garlic, characterized by their long, thin, hollow green stems and mild, onion-like flavor, often used to garnish and flavor dishes. “We’ve all needed the perfect amount of chives to finish out a meal and realized that we were out. Fresh chives add the perfect, mild punch to your egg, soup, and salad creations. They also look pretty on top of almost any savory dish,” says the team from Barn Owl Garden. “As long as you leave two inches of growth on the chives, you can use scissors to snip what you need. Try bright light and your chives will thank you.”

2. Grow what you’ll eat

Aside from reducing waste and cutting costs, growing herbs gives you control over what you use in the kitchen. “The best herbs to grow in your apartment are the ones that you use the most, and cost the most. This ensures you will both save money and have your favorites on hand whenever you need them,” recommends Carly Macquarrie of The Little Green Shoot. “With that in mind, herbs that grow best indoors include: Basil, mint, rosemary, thyme, chives, parsley, and oregano. Bay leaf and lemon grass can also be fun to grow indoors.”

You can also focus your efforts on herbs with a wide variety of uses to get the most bang for your buck. “If you’re a culinary enthusiast, there’s nothing like cooking with fresh herbs. Basil, parsley, cilantro, mint, thyme, chives, and sage are the most versatile choices for apartment growing,” says Connie Byers of This Unbound Life. “Each of these plants has a unique flavor profile, a wide range of uses, and is compact enough for small spaces.”

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3. Learn how to prune

For those still earning their green thumb, it’s important to learn about specific pruning requirements for each herb you’ll be growing. Cindy Juncaj of bon COOK has you covered with expert pruning tips for each of the five beginner herbs to grow.

“Pruning your indoor herb garden is a breeze when you know what to do with each plant. Use these simple-to-follow instructions for your herbs: 

1. Basil: Pinch off the top two sets of leaves when the plant has at least six sets of leaves. Trim the stems just above a set of leaves to encourage branching and bushier growth.
2. Rosemary: Trim the stems from the top down, cutting just above a set of leaves or branches. Remove any dead or yellowing leaves to promote healthy growth.
3. Mint: Cut back long stems to just above a set of leaves to encourage new growth. Remove any flowers to prevent the plant from becoming woody and bitter.
4. Parsley: Trim the outer stems and leaves, leaving the central growth intact. Cut stems at a 45-degree angle right above a leaf set to encourage new growth.
5. Chives: Trim the leaves close to the base of the plant, leaving about 2 inches of growth. Cut back any flower stalks to redirect the plant’s energy into leaf production.

Use sharp scissors or shears to prevent plant damage. Pruning regularly will promote healthy growth and keep your indoor herb garden thriving.”

4. Choose whether to propagate or start from a seed 

For some herbs, you can start their growth with just a clipping from an existing plant or a fresh bunch. “Basil and mint are great starter herbs in summer for a supply of fresh leaves for pesto, salads and mint tea, and happily both are very easy to propagate and look after with the minimum of gardening equipment,” says Alison Marsden of Gardening by Design. “Cut two or three stalks from an existing plant or a bunch bought fresh, snipping just below a pair of leaves, carefully pinch off those bottom leaves and stand the stems in a jar of water on your windowsill. Ten days later you should see white roots growing out into the water and you can pot them up into multipurpose compost.  Both basil and mint are ‘cut and come again’ herbs but eventually the plants fade and then you can simply take new cuttings and start again!”

If you’re feeling extra adventurous, you can try starting your herbs from a seed. “Starting herbs from seed is a straightforward process that anyone can master,” says Connie Byers of This Unbound Life. “Most herbs, with the exception of rosemary, which has a low germination rate, can be easily started from seed. For rosemary, it’s best to start with a purchased plant or a clipping from an existing plant.”

5. Consider your apartment’s environment

By far the hardest part of growing herbs indoors is making sure they get the proper amount of light. “Knowing your apartment’s environment is key to successfully growing herbs indoors,” says Tonya Olson of Ogden Publications. “Choose herbs (and the right growing equipment) based on what you have to work with in your apartment, such as square footage, how much sunlight comes through your windows, availability of outdoor space, temperature, vertical growing, and more. If you don’t have much sunlight and warmth available, it may be best to purchase herb starts instead of trying to grow from seed.”

Sunlight is one of the most important factors determining the growth of your plants. “Just as you take the dog out for a walk and fresh air, I occasionally take my plants out for some sun and fresh air when time and weather permit,” says Cindy Juncaj of bon COOK. 

Carly Macquarrie from The Little Green Shoot seconds the importance of sunlight. “Be sure to place your herbs in a sunny window – especially in cooler climates – and keep the soil moist with frequent watering,” says Carly Macquarrie from The Little Green Shoot. “If you live in an especially dark apartment, grow lights are easy to find and easy to use these days, as well.”

In fact, grow lights are a great way to ensure your plants get the sunlight they need. “If you don’t have direct access to a window, consider adding a small grow light to supplement,” says Katie of The Homesteading RD. “Most herbs actually like a bit of shade, except for rosemary and thyme – they like sun!” 

6. Get vertical with it

If you’re running out of space in your apartment for your herbs, you can always set things up to grow vertically. “Plant more herbs in a small space by getting a GreenStalk vertical planter if you have a deck or outdoor patio connected to your apartment,” recommends Lauren Miller of The Miller Acres. A vertical planter maximizes growing space in small areas, allowing you to cultivate a variety of plants without requiring much ground space. It also promotes better air circulation and sunlight exposure, leading to healthier plants and reducing the risk of pests and diseases.

7. Use healthy soil

A lot of people new to growing herbs indoors fail to understand the importance of soil in the growth of their plants. “Healthy potting soil is crucial when growing herbs in pots. Soil is meant to be an ecosystem unto itself, and the more diverse your potting soil is, the healthier your apartment herb garden will be,” shares Connie Byers of This Unbound Life. “To mimic outdoor growing conditions, start with high-quality potting soil mixed with coconut coir to hold moisture and worm castings to boost mineral content and add biodiversity.”

For some folks, dealing with soil can be a hassle they don’t want to bother with. “Consider going soil-less,” recommend Kevin and Julie of Wild Homestead Living. “Hydroponic growing kits cost more upfront but are a clean way to grow herbs indoors.” 

8. Know the difference in harvesting

Not all herbs grow the same; some require different levels of light or frequency of watering. This is also true of harvesting. “Know what to expect from your herbs,” says Katie of The Homesteading RD. “Some herbs like thyme, mint, sage, and oregano can thrive for years if cared for while herbs such as basil, green onion, and cilantro will only last a few months and will need to be reseeded again for a continuous harvest.”

9. Other green thumb tips to round out this beginner’s guide to indoor herb growing

If you’re looking for more tips when it comes to growing herbs indoors, Kevin and Julie of Wild Homestead Living have you covered with a few additional tips for beginner gardeners.

1. Ample light is a must. While a southern facing window might work in the summer, using a grow light will help your plants stay healthy year-round.
2. Maximize pot size. The more space for plants roots to grow, the bigger your plants will be.
3. Build in drainage. Soggy roots can rot and cause plants to die. Make sure your pot has holes and a waterproof tray to catch extra moisture. 
4. Invest in quality seeds and plants. Find a trusted supplier online or local nursery that has a good reputation. 
5. Choose varieties wisely. Some herbs, such as chives do well with indoor conditions while others like dill need outdoor space for deep roots. 

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