To grow herbs indoors successfully, give them at least six hours of bright light a day (or a grow light), use pots with drainage holes and a free-draining compost, and water only when the top 2–3 cm of soil feels dry. The easiest indoor herbs are mint, chives, parsley, basil, thyme and oregano. Regular harvesting keeps plants bushy and productive.
Key takeaways
- Light is the biggest limiting factor indoors – a south-facing window (north-facing in the southern hemisphere) is best.
- Use pots with drainage holes and peat-free multipurpose compost mixed with grit or perlite.
- Overwatering kills more indoor herbs than anything else.
- In winter, a simple LED grow light for 12–14 hours a day makes a huge difference.
- Pick little and often from the top, never removing more than one-third at once.
Best herbs to grow indoors
| Herb | Light needs | Water | Difficulty | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mint | Medium–bright | Keep moist | Very easy | Grow alone – it spreads |
| Chives | Bright | Moderate | Very easy | Snip like grass |
| Parsley | Medium–bright | Moderate | Easy | Slow to germinate |
| Basil | Very bright, warm | Moderate | Easy | Hates cold draughts |
| Thyme | Very bright | Let dry | Easy | Needs gritty compost |
| Oregano | Very bright | Let dry | Easy | Flavour stronger in sun |
| Rosemary | Very bright | Let dry | Moderate | Prone to mildew indoors |
| Coriander (cilantro) | Bright, cool | Moderate | Moderate | Bolts quickly; sow often |
| Lemon balm | Medium–bright | Moderate | Easy | Lovely for tea |
Step 1: Find the right spot
Most culinary herbs come from sunny Mediterranean hillsides and need at least 6 hours of direct or very bright light daily. In the UK and northern US:
- South-facing windows are ideal.
- East or west windows work for parsley, mint, chives and lemon balm.
- North-facing windows are too dim for most herbs without supplementary light.
Keep plants away from radiators, heating vents and cold draughty glass in winter. Rotate pots a quarter turn every few days so they grow evenly.
Using grow lights
From October to March, natural light in Britain and the northern US is weak. A full-spectrum LED grow light placed 15–30 cm above plants for 12–14 hours a day (use a plug-in timer) will keep herbs compact and flavourful. Leggy, pale growth that leans towards the window is a sign of too little light.
Step 2: Choose pots and compost
- Drainage holes are non-negotiable. If you love a decorative pot without holes, use it as an outer cover and empty excess water after watering.
- Choose pots at least 15 cm (6 in) across; bigger pots dry out less quickly.
- Terracotta suits Mediterranean herbs (thyme, rosemary, oregano) because it breathes; plastic or glazed pots suit thirstier herbs (basil, mint, parsley).
- Use a peat-free multipurpose compost mixed with about 20–30% perlite or horticultural grit.
Step 3: Seeds, cuttings or plants?
- Supermarket pots are really dozens of seedlings crammed together. Divide them into 3–4 clumps and repot each to stop them dying back.
- Seeds are cheap and easy for basil, parsley, chives and coriander. Sow thinly, cover lightly and keep at 18–21 °C.
- Cuttings are ideal for mint, basil, rosemary and oregano. Put a 10 cm non-flowering shoot in water; roots appear in 1–3 weeks.
Step 4: Water correctly
- Push a finger 2–3 cm into the compost. Water only if it feels dry.
- Water thoroughly until it drains from the bottom, then empty the saucer.
- Let Mediterranean herbs dry out more between waterings; keep basil, mint and parsley evenly moist.
- Water less in winter when growth slows.
Step 5: Feed and harvest
- Feed every 2–4 weeks in spring and summer with a half-strength liquid seaweed or balanced organic feed. Too much fertiliser reduces flavour.
- Harvest from the top, pinching stems just above a pair of leaves. This encourages branching.
- Pinch out flower buds on basil and mint to keep leaves tender.
- Never remove more than a third of the plant at once.
Common problems and fixes
| Problem | Likely cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Leggy, pale stems | Not enough light | Move to brighter spot or add a grow light |
| Yellow lower leaves | Overwatering or poor drainage | Let compost dry, check drainage |
| Wilting despite wet soil | Root rot | Repot in fresh, gritty compost; trim black roots |
| Tiny flies around pots | Fungus gnats | Let surface dry out; use yellow sticky traps |
| White powder on leaves | Powdery mildew | Improve airflow; remove affected leaves |
| Sticky leaves, small insects | Aphids | Rinse off, or wipe with diluted soapy water |
Want to preserve your harvest? Read how to dry fresh herbs. New to herbs? Start with the easiest herbs to grow.
Frequently asked questions
What herbs grow best indoors?
Mint, chives, parsley, basil, thyme, oregano and lemon balm grow well indoors given enough light. Rosemary and coriander are trickier.
Do indoor herbs need direct sunlight?
Most herbs need at least six hours of bright light daily. Direct sun from a south-facing window is ideal; otherwise, use a grow light.
How often should I water herbs indoors?
Water when the top 2–3 cm of compost feels dry. This might be every few days in summer and once a week or less in winter.
Why do supermarket herbs die so quickly?
Supermarket pots contain dozens of seedlings crowded together. Divide them into smaller clumps, repot in fresh compost and give them good light.
Can I grow herbs indoors in winter?
Yes. Use the sunniest window available and add an LED grow light for 12 to 14 hours a day to compensate for short days.
