
Our Favorite Herbs to Brighten the Winter Kitchen
Isn't there just something nice about having fresh herbs to snip into soups, salads, and other dishes during the cold winter months? Fortunately, having a little taste of summer all year ‘round is easy, provided you have a bit of space, light, containers, and the right soil conditions. Why buy those ridiculously expensive plastic packs of fresh herbs in the grocery store when you can grow your own?
While most any crop can be grown in containers (provided the container is large enough!), everyday culinary herbs like cilantro, basil, oregano, and chives can be grown at pint-sized scale and harvested fresh for recipes.
Use the right containers for your space!
Plant the various herbs together in a larger container or use individual pots. Herbs tend to have shallow roots, so the pots don’t need to be super deep. In fact, using a shallower container (6 inches or so) might be best; soil that’s too deep tends to retain moisture, and herbs don’t like wet feet! Using terra cotta containers (with drainage holes) is typically best, but there are a gazillion options out there.
Hydroponic systems might work for you!
An AeroGarden or other hydroponic growing system, such as Click and Grow or Gardyn, is also great for growing herbs indoors, especially if you struggle to provide your indoor plants with enough natural light.
Here are a few of our favorites:
Thyme:
Thyme is a member of the mint family native to the Mediterranean. Baker Creek offers several varieties of thyme (Thymus spp), from the classic Wild thyme to the citrus-kissed Orangelo! This perennial herb does well indoors; it needs about six hours of daylight and can tolerate indirect sunlight. Thyme also prefers drier soil, so it will do best in a clay pot with a drainage hole. See our Thyme Growing Guide for more.
Oregano:
This mint family relative (Origanum vulgare) is native to the Mediterranean and a must-have herb for Italian cuisine. Its cousin, Wild Za’atar (Origanum syriaca) is a beloved herb of the Middle East and shares its name with the indispensable spice blend to which it lends its complex and pungent flavor that offers hints of oregano, thyme, and marjoram. Like thyme and oregano, za’atar needs light, dry soil and good drainage to thrive indoors. See our Oregano Growing Guide for more information!
Basil:
Basil is an unfussy herb that will reward even inexperienced gardeners with its delightfully aromatic leaves! While basil has become indelibly associated with Italian cuisine, it is actually an ancient plant native to tropical regions of central Africa and Southeast Asia. The earliest known references to it appeared in Indian Vedic texts dating to 5,000 years ago. From classic Italian Genovese types like Mammalo to the piquant Ghanian types like Akoko Mesa and Evivi Ntor and Asian basils like Thai Sweet, there truly is a basil for every occasion! To grow indoors, pick the sunniest spot in the house (such as a south-facing window), or use a grow light. Unlike many of its Lamiaceae family counterparts, basil loves to stay hydrated! Here are more basil growing tips from our friends at Better Homes & Gardens and more overall growing advice in our Basil Growing Guide.
Chives:
These members of the onion clan can thrive indoors. For a garlicy twist, try growing Chinese chives (Allium tuberosum) or our good old standard chives (Allium schoenoprasum). Chives like moist soil and need lots of daylight, so it’s best to put them in a south-facing window or grow under lights. Give them well-draining soil and a pot deep enough for the roots to have some legroom. Check out our Chives Growing Guide for more tips and tricks!
Rosemary:
It’s a little tricky to grow rosemary indoors, but oh so worth it! Salvia rosmarinus is a cold-tender perennial member of the Lamiaceae, or mint, family. This beloved drought-tolerant herb is cold hardy from USDA zones 7-10, but if you live in a colder climate you will want to bring it indoors to overwinter (or grow it year-round on the windowsill). Rosemary needs light to thrive, so give it at least five hours of direct sunlight a day (such as in a south-facing window). It hates having wet feet. Water the soil every couple of weeks if it is dry but also keep water and rocks in the drain pan so the plant can absorb the water as it evaporates. Also, use a spray bottle of water to mist the foliage once or twice a week. Make sure to use a pot with a drainage hole and use a pot as deep as the plant is tall if you are digging up and overwintering inside. Use a well-draining medium such as cactus soil mix. Our Rosy rosemary is a select strain that is easier to start from seed than many other varieties. Check out our Rosemary Growing Guide for more information!
Cilantro:
Cilantro (Coriandrum sativum) is a globetrotting herb believed to have originated around the Mediterranean to northern Africa and western Asia. It is also one of the oldest known herbs; its seeds (coriander) have been found in Egyptian tombs. Cilantro is an exception to the rule about container size and depth; you’ll want to use a container that is about a foot deep and 18 inches across. Cilantro grows quickly, but it has a short lifespan, so consider succession planting every few weeks to keep a supply on hand. Cilantro also likes light (six or more hours of indirect sunlight indoors), and it prefers well-draining soil! Our Slo Bolt cilantro is quick to grow and slow to bolt! See our Cilantro Growing Guide for more!
Key takeaways:
- See the light. Indoor herbs need light to grow. If your place lacks south- or west-facing windows, consider investing in grow lights or a hydroponic growing system with lights.
- Mind your water. Be mindful of a plant’s water consumption preferences. Most mint family relatives prefer drier conditions (but not too dry!). Some, like rosemary, prefer to take in water through their foliage.
- Soil matters. Give your potted herbs well-draining soil. They’ll thank you for it.
- Turn, turn, turn. Give your potted plants a turn toward the light source every week or so to expose all sides of the plant to direct sunlight.
- Want to go deeper? Our friends at Gardenary grow Baker Creek varieties, and they have compiled a comprehensive guide for growing herbs indoors. Check out their blog!