Looking to have your own fresh herbs? Don’t have any outdoor space? Try making an indoor herb garden on your windowsill to fulfill your herb needs!
Do you enjoy using herbs in your every day meals? Is it a struggle to constantly have fresh herbs? Tired of paying the price to get fresh herbs? Look no further than an indoor herb garden. Many people are trending toward indoor vegetable gardens when outdoor space is unavailable. The same case can be made for an indoor herb garden. Read on to learn the essentials for cultivating your indoor herb garden.
The most important aspect to any indoor herb garden is location. You want to place your herb pots on a warm, sunny windowsill. Ideally, south or southwest windows are your best bet. Ensure that your window location gets at least four hours of natural sunlight. If you are uncertain on how much light actually comes in, turn off your lights. Monitor the amount of sunlight that hits the windowsill. If it’s more than four hours, you have your window!
Drainage is another key when starting an indoor herb garden. You want to use premium potting mix that will hold moisture well. You also want to have good drainage of your pot. If you do not put anything under your pot you will likely ruin your windowsill. If you put a plastic container or bowl under your pot you may cause your herb roots to rot. Try using a saucer pan or clay pot. These serve well at retaining moisture and not causing destruction of your windowsill.
Temperature is another necessity. Like people, the ideal air temperature for plants is between 65 to 70 degrees. However, at night, temperatures can drop to 55 degrees near a windowsill. This is okay for plants. Just keep leaves and foliage from touching the glass. This will prevent leaves from getting damaged from nipping. Keep in mind basil is trickier with temperatures. Unlike most herbs, basil likes warm temperatures day and night. Keep basil at temperatures of mid 70s. This will keep your basil plants thriving. Otherwise, basil will tend to droop.
Lastly, you want to keep your air conditions in check. During the winter months dry air may take over the house. The same can be said true with air that comes in contact with air conditioners. There are ways to combat this. Give your herbs a periodic “shower”. Spray them or give them a dousing in the sink. A small spray bottle like this one is perfect for spraying them. Whichever you choose, it will keep moisture in the leaves. It will leave your plants feeling happy.
Indoor Herb Garden: The Essentials
You do not need a green thumb to start your own indoor herb garden. A warm, sunny windowsill with proper drainage is all that you need. If you keep the temperature warm and the air or plant moist, you will have blossoming herbs in no time!
Want an easy way to get started? Check out the indoor herb garden kit here!
Looking to be a bit more creative? There’s some great ideas for growing herbs indoors here.
KaD says
Aerogarden is really nice for this purpose. I’ve given several as gifts.
Lisa says
I’ve never used one of those. May try it out.