Longing for a little more peace and greenery in your life? Transform your kitchen into a cosy, nature-inspired retreat with your own herb garden. Not only do fresh herbs add vibrant flavour to your meals, but they also bring a sense of calm and sustainability into your everyday routine.

Why Grow Herbs at Home?

An indoor herb garden turns your kitchen into a green oasis with country charm. Imagine picking fresh basil for a pasta sauce, snipping chives onto your morning toast, or garnishing hot potatoes with your own homegrown parsley. Herbs elevate your cooking—and your space.

Getting Started: Essential Tips

1. Light Is Key

Most herbs need plenty of sunlight to grow strong and healthy.
Tip: In the darker winter months, place your herbs on a sunny windowsill to give them the light they need. South-facing windows are ideal.

2. Watering: Keep It Even

When it comes to water, herbs prefer consistency.
Tip: Keep the soil evenly moist—not too dry and not soaking wet. Use planters with drainage holes to allow excess water to escape and prevent root rot.

Some herbs, like chives or cress, can even grow in water using simple hydroponics. Others do well in regular potting soil.

3. Choose the Right Container

The type and size of the container can make a big difference in how well your herbs grow.

Cress: Grows best in a shallow dish filled with water and seeds.
Thyme: Needs more space to grow above and below the soil—choose a slightly larger pot for best results.

Get Creative with Containers

Fancy adding some green to your space? You don’t need to buy new pots—just let your creativity run wild and repurpose items you already have at home.

Upcycled Container Ideas:

Old coffee mugs: Cracked or chipped? Perfect for small herbs like thyme or oregano.
Tin cans: Make a few holes in the bottom for drainage and place them on a coaster.
Fruit crates or rain gutters: Line them with tarpaulin and use them to hold your herb pots.
Metal buckets: Hang them near a window or from a kitchen rail for a vertical garden effect.
Kitchen aprons: Use an old apron with large pockets to create a unique hanging herb wall.

There are no limits—repurposing gives old items a second life and adds charm and character to your indoor garden.

Starting Your Herb Garden: Plants or Seeds?

There are two main ways to begin your indoor herb garden: by repotting supermarket herbs or by growing your own from seed. Each has its benefits—here’s how to get started:

Option 1: Repotting Supermarket Herbs

Supermarket herbs often come crowded in a single pot, which can weaken the plants.

Tip:

Gently divide the plant at the root into several smaller sections.
Repot each section into its own container with fresh soil.
Place them in a sunny spot and care for them consistently.

With enough light and the right care, your herbs will recover and thrive.

Option 2: Growing from Certified Seeds

Starting from seed is a great way to grow strong, healthy herbs right from the beginning.

Tip:

Use certified seeds to ensure quality.
Sow seeds in early spring, starting from late February depending on the variety.
Most herbs will germinate within 10 to 20 days.

This method lets you control every step of the growing process and ensures your plants receive the best care from the start.

Choosing the Right Herb Combinations

When planting herbs together, it’s important to think about how well they’ll get along—just like choosing the right roommates!

General Rule of Thumb:

Avoid planting annual and perennial herbs in the same pot. They have different growing cycles and care needs, which can make maintenance more difficult and stress the plants.

Planting Together: What Works and What Doesn’t

If you're using a larger pot or planter box, it's tempting to mix several herbs. That’s totally doable—but some herbs are better neighbours than others.

Know Your Herbs:

Annual herbs (short-lived, one season):
- Basil
- Dill
- Cilantro
- Chamomile
Perennial herbs (return year after year):
- Thyme
- Oregano
- Sage
- Tarragon
- Chives
  Tip: Group herbs with similar lifespans and care requirements together for healthier, easier-to-manage plants.

What Grows Well Indoors?

Once you’ve decided how to plant—single pots, mixed containers, or larger boxes—the next step is choosing herbs that thrive on a kitchen windowsill.

Five Aromatic Herbs Perfect for Your Windowsill

Thyme

Thyme’s strong, earthy aroma shines in pasta, potatoes, and more. Tip: Give thyme plenty of space—ideally, a pot all to itself—so it can grow freely and stay healthy.

Basil

A sunny spot is basil’s favourite place. To keep it growing well, prune regularly to prevent flowering, which can reduce leaf production. Cooking Tip: Add basil leaves at the very end of cooking to preserve their fresh, unmistakable aroma.

Chives

When sowing chives from seed, space them out so they have room to grow. With the right care, they’ll thrive beautifully on your windowsill.

Sage

Young sage plants appreciate regular watering and bright light. Once established, sage is low-maintenance—just moderate watering and an annual repotting keep it happy.

Lemon Balm

This perennial herb needs plenty of light to thrive indoors, especially in winter. Place it on a bright windowsill to ensure it gets enough sun and stays healthy year-round.

Bonus Tip: Preserving Your Herbs

Not sure where to put all your harvest? Freeze herbs or turn them into pesto for later use. Note: Thyme is better dried than frozen, as freezing can diminish its flavour.

Ready to Start Your Own Herb Garden?

Growing herbs indoors can be a fun and rewarding challenge. With the right care and location, your plants will flourish. Remember, patience is key—and don’t forget the most important ingredient: enjoy the process and embrace your love of nature!