12 Easy Herbs to Grow Indoors

Are you dreaming of fresh, savoury dishes filled with fresh herbs for flavour? Here's some easy-to-grow basic herbs you can grow yourself at home...

Living in a hot climate, it's forgivable to think that growing your own herbs at home is near enough impossible. Alas, there is a way, and we have some advice to help you on your way to growing tasty, fruitful herbs that you can use in your recipes at any time. 

Before we get started, please bare in mind when buying herbs for the purpose of growing indoors, it's better to choose plants that haven't already been outside. Unfortunately the shock of bringing them indoors after being outside can cause trauma to the plant, and affects their growth and production. Always pot your herbs separately in their own container, with ample drainage holes for ventilation. 

Not only that, but ensure you don't overwater your herb plants - turning yellow is a sign you're watering too much - and brown spots on their leaves means there's too much light if you're using a supplemental light with a flourescent bulb. 

1. Mint
Both spearmint and peppermint are weed-like, in the sense that they're very hearty and invasive and can quickly choke out neighbouring herbs. When it comes to growing mint indoors however, where you may have limited space, peppermint is the better option as it's stronger. Start your plant with seeds in a small pot of potting soil, it'll thrive in shade but ensure it gets a small amount of sunlight each day to help encourage its growth.

2. Chives
One of the easiest to grow inside, chives do not require a lot of light and are prolific in their growth. You can start them easily from an already-established plant, pull up a bunch from an existing plant - including the roots - place in its own pot with potting soil up to the crowns. Then cut about a one-third of growth off the top to stimulate growth.

3. Parsley
It's one of the most commonly used herbs, and is very easy to grow at home. The seeds may take a little longer than others to germinate, but once grown, requires little light or maintenance once you're underway. Bare in mind that this one's a slow grower!

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4. Lemongrass
Technically, you don't grow lemongrass as it doesn't need to be planted into soil. Instead, just buy a stalk at your local grocery store, pick one with plenty of stem and make sure the base is intact. At home, trip the top and place the stalk in a couple of inches of water. It will begin to grow new roots and dozens of new shoots.

5. Oregano
Unlike others, oregano requires six to eight hours of sunlight per day, so place in a well-lit window in a spot that will provide it the most sun exposure.

6. Thyme
Similar to oregano, thyme requires a substantial amount of sunlight per day. Six to eight hours of sunlight is a must, and in some cases, a supplemental light may be required. Why not try the different variances of thyme like lemon thyme, which has its own unique taste. 

7. Rosemary
Keep this one on the dry side and refrain from over-watering. Plus, it doesn't require particularly rich soil. For indoor growth, we recommend two varieties of rosemary to grow easily, which are Blue Spire and Tuscan Blue.

8. Basil 
Basil is one of the most difficult herbs to grow, especially indoors during cooler months. The best types of basil to grown indoors are African Blue and Spicy Globe. The former won't look similar to the standard basil you may be used to seeing at the store, as it's similar to Thai basil with narrow leaves and purple-ish stalks. 

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9. Vietnamese Coriander
Unlike regular kinds of coriander, this verion is very easy to grow inside as it's hearty and very reliable. 

10. Bay
Place your pot containing your bay plant in an east- or west-facing window, and make sure it does not get crowded as it needs good air circulation to remain healthy and grow productively.

11. Sage
To start growing this herb, all you need is a tip from an established sage plant and pot it in its own container. This plant thrives in dry, indoor air and needs strong sunlight so best to place in a south-facing window. 

12. Tarragon
Allow at least 24 inches in height when growing your tarragon inside, and place it in a south-facing window. The leaves from a tarragon plant are the best part, and are great when used fresh with dishes like fish or chicken.