Growing Herbs Indoors & Herb Butter
Thank you so much for visiting! This post may contain affiliate links that I receive commissions from purchases made. Click HERE for my disclosure statement.
a
Here’s everything you need to know to successfully grow herbs indoors. Get tips and ideas for planting, caring for, and keeping herbs healthy. And see which herbs will work best.
Growing herbs indoors can be rewarding and convenient and now is the perfect time to get started. I love to have fresh herbs readily available for cooking, garnishing, or even for their aromatic properties.
But let’s be honest. Herbs can be a little fussy grown indoors. But, I have also found out that some herbs, here in Zone 9, can be fussy grown outdoors. Basil, for one, just doesn’t enjoy the Florida weather when it gets hotter. But once you find that perfect sunny spot in your home, and follow a few instructions, you should have a bounty of herbs for the year.
Here are some steps and tips to successfully grow herbs indoors and be sure to check out the Herb Butter recipe below.
Select the Right Herbs
Some herbs are better suited for indoor growth than others. Herbs like basil, mint, parsley, cilantro, chives, thyme, and oregano tend to thrive indoors.
Did you know there are annual and perennial herbs?
Here are a few common herb garden perennials you can grow indoors:
- creeping thyme
- oregano
- lemon verbena
- mint
- sage
- chives
I prefer to grow the perennial ones because they are a bit hardier indoors and they love to be clipped. The ones I choose are oregano, mint, and thyme as shown in the picture above. I would love to grow basil in my area, but the heat and other diseases in Zone 9 make it hard to do.
Choose the Right Containers
Use pots or containers with drainage holes to prevent waterlogging. Make sure the containers are large enough to accommodate the herb’s root system and allow for growth. Indoor herbs like to be snugly situated in their posts. Not rootbound but cozy! They do better in a pot that is not too big. I normally start them in the smaller plastic nursery pots I collect and then switch over to clay pots since they are porous and help the roots dry evenly. They have great drainage and are a great size for herbs.
Monitor the growth of your herbs and repot them into larger containers as needed to prevent overcrowding and allow for continued growth. When the herbs are rootbound, I usually divide them in half, repot them in two pots, and give one to a friend.
Use Quality Potting Soil
Use well-draining potting soil specifically formulated for container gardening. Avoid garden soil, as it can compact in containers and hinder drainage. I personally use this potting soil for my indoor herbs. Good quality soil does make a difference. And when it comes to herbs, I don’t fertilize them. I just let the soil do its thing.
Provide Adequate Light
Herbs generally require at least 6-8 hours of sunlight per day. Place your herb containers near a south or west-facing window where they can receive plenty of sunlight. Mine sit in an eastern window and thrive there.
If natural light is insufficient, consider supplementing with grow lights which I use in the winter when there is less light. Growlights have come a long way. They don’t get hot anymore and don’t use much energy like they used to. This is the grow light I use now for starting my seeds and my succulents love it. The indoor garden system is a wonderful way to grow herbs indoors.
Water Properly
Herbs prefer evenly moist soil but are susceptible to root rot if overwatered. Water your herbs when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch. Herbs like to be dry side, but avoid letting the soil dry out completely or becoming waterlogged. If the leaves look droopy, touch the soil, and if it’s really dry, it’s time to water. Herbs don’t like their feet wet for too long. I have a little moisture reader that is so handy and easy to use. I just stick it into the soil, and when it reads dry, I water my herbs.
Maintain Proper Humidity and Temperature
Most herbs prefer moderate humidity and temperatures between 60 – 75°F. Indoor environments can become dry, especially during winter when heating systems are running. You can increase humidity by placing a tray filled with water and pebbles near the herbs or by using a room humidifier.
Prune and Harvest
Regularly prune and pinch off your herbs to encourage bushy growth and prevent them from becoming leggy. When harvesting, snip the leaves or stems as needed, but avoid removing more than one-third of the plant at a time to ensure continued growth. Using a good pair of scissors for plants makes the job easier.
Watch for Pests and Diseases
Indoor herbs can still be susceptible to pests like aphids, spider mites, and whiteflies, as well as diseases like powdery mildew. Keep an eye out for any signs of pest infestation or disease, and promptly address any issues with organic pest control methods or appropriate treatments. I use Neem Oil to spray on basically all my indoor plants. It’s a natural and organic spray and works well.
Rotate and Repot
Rotate your herb containers regularly to promote even growth and prevent the plants from leaning toward the light source. Additionally, monitor the growth of your herbs and repot them into larger containers as needed to prevent overcrowding and allow for continued growth.
Grow from seeds or buy herbs already grown
This subject is really up to the gardener. If you are in a hurry for herbs, buy them already grown. There are some herbs, such as rosemary, which are pretty hard to grow from seed. It’s best to grab a small pot from the nursery and if you want more rosemary later, just cut off a young branch and propagate in water. Works very easily.
I love growing what I can from seed. Since I live in a growing zone that lasts all year long, growing from seed means I will have a longer growing season. Several herbs grow well from seeds. Oregano, thyme, cilantro, basil, sage, and garlic are just a few.
Start some seeds in a small pot filled with good soil and keep them watered until the sprouts are pretty big. As you can see in my picture above, I did put a wee bit too many seeds in one pot. You can weed out the overgrowth or divide when it’s time to transfer to the nursery 4-inch pots.
Before I add soil to the pots, I put these small screens over the hole so that a lot of dirt won’t drain out of the pot.
I display my herbs in a cute galvanized herb pot set container that sits by the window. I just drop the pots of herbs in each container and there is a hole in the bottom to let water drain out. Since these pots are on display, I like to dress them up with cute plant markers. These make wonderful gifts for those who garden.
Planting herbs in the same container
If you would like a smaller, more compact herb garden, you can plant different herbs together in the same pot. Consider the watering needs of your herbs, and place herbs with the same requirements together. The only exception to this is mint…it’s best to plant mint in its own container because the root system is very invasive.
By following the tips above, you can enjoy a thriving indoor herb garden that provides fresh flavors and aromas year-round.
I love using herbs to make herbal butter. There are so many recipes out there to use your herbs with. The recipe below is my favorite and is so good on so many foods.
Herb Butter
INGREDIENTS
- 1 stick butter, softened
- 1 tbsp tyme, chopped
- 1 tbsp basil, chopped
- 1 tsp minced galic
INSTRUCTIONS
- Put the softened butter in a bowl and add all the ingredients, mixing well.
- Put the butter in the refrigerator until hardened.
- Spoon the compound butter onto a piece of plastic wrap.
- Roll the plastic wrap around the butter and form it into a log about 2- 2 1/2 inches in diameter.
- Wrap the compound butter in the plastic wrap log in parchment paper and refrigerate.
- Keep stored in refrigerater.
free garden gift tags
Looking for garden gift tags? Download this 8 x 10 sheet of 4 tags to cut out. Use a hole punch on the top circle for the twine to go through.
Set your printer for an 8×10 size and print on thick card stock.
Enjoy These Posts:
If you have any garden questions or have found a great new plant to grow, let us know about it. If you have a garden, tell us all about it. Gardening is learning from others and sharing new ideas helps me with future posts to pass along to you.
My Garden Favs
Check out my favorite garden supplies that are essential for anyone to grow beautiful plants.
Shop my Amazon Storefront, my LTK sources, and my favorite finds and garden supplies. When you purchase from one of my links, I earn a small commission which helps me to continue sharing all the content you expect on my blog.
I’m just a country girl loving my geeky life with my wonderful husband, always taking pictures, getting my hands dirty in the garden, being crafty, exploring with travels and enjoying all this on a budget. But above all, living my faith as a child of God!
Read more about me and check out my media kit. Our Privacy Policy
I LOVE the idea of having a little herb garden indoors. I have two green thumbs, and I love cooking with fresh herbs. I have to do this!
I love indoor plants. Growing herbs indoors is a great idea I shall try your tips.
My quaint little herb garden tucked away behind an old stone wall. The fragrant basil, rosemary, and thyme beckoned me closer. With nimble fingers, I plucked the freshest leaves and whisked them into softened butter. As the sun dipped below the horizon, I spread that herb-infused goodness on warm bread, savoring each bite. Excellent recipe, a taste of nature’s magic.
Sounds so divine. I love smelling herbs.
I do love fresh herbs and we started growing our own at Christmas. So far I just use in cooking plus my daugther uses them for the birds. I am going to have to try the herb butter next
I’ve tried to grow herbs inside before but my cats like to play with plants and things so they didn’t last very long. I would like to try again and see if I can put them somewhere where they’re not interested x
This blog post provides a great introduction to the joys and challenges of growing herbs indoors, especially in Zone 9. The author’s honesty about the fussiness of herbs in different climates is refreshing, and their practical tips for indoor gardening are sure to help beginners get started. Plus, the included Herb Butter recipe is a delicious bonus!
Your insights on choosing the right containers and potting soil are particularly helpful in maintaining healthy herb growth.
Ok this is AMAZING! I would love to make my own herb butter! I actually don’t think I’ve ever had it but it sounds sooo good! Love this, saving it!
I’m trying an indoor herb garden this year with my hydro planter so I am very much looking forward to seeing what it produces! Love herb butter too!
Thanks for sharing sme of these useful tips to grow own herbs. I just starting when my friends gave me some rosemary lately. Love the idea by using a room humidifier. Gonna trying out. Cheers Siennylovesdrawing
We’ve got mint growing and it always comes back each year when outside! I love having access to fresh produce like that – thank you for the tips for growing indoors.
Herbs and I have a love/hate relationship. I have a coriander plant outside that keeps popping up but the leaves never actually get big. I am not trying mint and rosemary inside – the mint is pretty much on deaths door *sigh*
We have outdoor chives we planted on a whim and they pretty much take care of themselves. Not had much luck with the indoor ones.