10 Best Herbs to Grow at Home

Instead of buying herbs from the store during the colder months, why not grow them indoors? Herbs like oregano, basil, and rosemary thrive in containers year-round, especially when placed on a sunny windowsill. They’ll not only add aromatic flavors to your cooking but also bring a touch of greenery to brighten up your kitchen.

From fast-growing herbs that thrive on your kitchen windowsill to low-maintenance plants that practically take care of themselves, here are 10 of the best herbs to grow indoors.

This guide will show you some of the easiest herbs to grow, perfect for a sunny windowsill. Let’s explore the world of herbs and spice up your indoor space!

1. Basil 
   Basil is a kitchen favorite for good reason—this fragrant herb proliferates and loves sunny spots indoors. Its vibrant green leaves add a fresh, slightly sweet flavor to many dishes. Basil thrives in containers, making it one of the best herbs to grow at home on a windowsill. Be sure to keep the soil well-drained and water at the base to prevent fungal issues.

   

Culinary Uses: Basil adds a fresh, peppery flavor to pizzas, pestos, and kinds of pasta, making it an essential herb to grow at home. Snip a few leaves for an instant upgrade to your meals.

2. Mint
   Know for a refreshing herb with fragrant, toothed leaves and a menthol-like flavor, mint is one of the best herbs to grow indoors because it’s both easy and forgiving. While it thrives in partial sunlight, mint can handle a bit of shade, too. It grows quickly, so you’ll want to keep it contained in a pot to prevent it from taking over your indoor garden. Water it regularly, and this low-maintenance herb will keep coming back.

   

Culinary Uses: Fresh mint is perfect for teas, cocktails, and desserts. It’s also great in savory dishes like lamb or tabbouleh.

3. Parsley
   Parsley, with its bright green, curly, or flat leaves, offers a fresh, slightly peppery taste that works both as a garnish and a flavorful ingredient in many dishes. This versatile herb is easy to grow right on your kitchen windowsill. It thrives in bright, indirect light and regular watering, making it perfect for beginners. Its resilience and fast growth make parsley one of the top herbs for indoor gardening. Whether you opt for curly or flat-leaf varieties, parsley adds a fresh, grassy note to your culinary creations.

Culinary Uses: Parsley is a versatile herb that brightens up salads, soups, and sauces. It’s a must-have on your kitchen windowsill for quick garnishes or flavor boosts.

4. Thyme
   Thyme’s earthy, slightly minty flavor has notes of lemon and camphor, giving it a warm and savory taste that enhances meats and vegetables. Thyme is a sun-loving, low-maintenance herb that thrives on windowsills. It’s ideal for small indoor spaces since it doesn’t grow too tall. Thyme prefers a sunny spot with well-drained soil, and once established, it requires little watering. This makes it one of the easiest herbs to care for indoors.

   If you’re a fan of parsley, try growing it in a pot directly next to Thyme. The two do well together, as they both enjoy a day full of direct sun and follow the same watering guidelines.

Culinary Uses: Thyme is a great addition to roasted meats, stews, and soups. Its flavor pairs wonderfully with lemon, garlic, and olive oil.

5. Cilantro
   Cilantro boasts a bold, citrus-like flavor with peppery and slightly soapy undertones, adding a punch to your dishes. Its delicate, lacy leaves carry a distinct, pungent taste. This fast-growing herb thrives in cooler temperatures, making it ideal for indoor growing. While it loves bright light, cilantro needs regular watering to prevent it from bolting too quickly. Place it on your kitchen windowsill, and you’ll always have fresh leaves on hand to garnish your favorite meals.

   

Culinary Uses: Cilantro is perfect for salsas, tacos, and curries. It adds a fresh, zesty flavor to many dishes and is essential for those who love Latin or Asian cuisines.

6. Chives
   Chives are one of the most straightforward herbs to grow at home. Chives offer a mild onion-like flavor that makes them a tasty garnish for any dish. They thrive in bright sunlight near a sunny window and are perfect for indoor gardeners seeking a low-maintenance herb. They grow quickly and require minimal care, making them ideal for indoor gardeners seeking low-maintenance herbs. Regularly trim the leaves, and your chive plant will continue to produce new shoots.

Culinary Uses: Sprinkle chives on top of eggs, baked potatoes, soups, or salads for a mild onion flavor. They also make a great garnish for almost any dish.

7. Oregano
   Oregano is a sun-loving herb that’s perfect for indoor growing. This low-maintenance herb enjoys well-drained soil and thrives with minimal watering. Oregano’s robust, slightly bitter flavor makes it a staple for Italian and Mediterranean dishes, and its drought tolerance makes it ideal for busy gardeners.

   

Culinary Uses: Oregano is a must for pizza, pasta sauces, and marinades. It’s also excellent in Greek salads and roasted meats.

8. Rosemary
   Known for its strong, piney aroma that fills your kitchen with its scent, rosemary’s strong aroma makes it a favorite herb to grow at home, especially on a kitchen windowsill. This sun-loving plant prefers dry, well-drained soil and doesn’t require frequent watering, making it ideal for busy gardeners.

Culinary Uses: Fresh rosemary adds a woodsy flavor to roasted meats, potatoes, and breads. It also works well in marinades and infused oils.

9. Sage
   Sage is a hardy herb with soft, silvery leaves and a strong, earthy, slightly peppery flavor with hints of mint and eucalyptus, giving it a warming, savory taste perfect for fall dishes. It grows well indoors, especially in bright, sunny spots. Sage is a low-maintenance herb that doesn’t require frequent watering, making it a great option for busy gardeners.

   

Culinary Uses: Sage is perfect for seasoning roasted poultry, vegetables, and stuffing. Its earthy, slightly peppery flavor brings warmth to hearty dishes.

10. Lemongrass
    It’s an especially delightful herb to grow for beginners. Lemongrass is an aromatic herb, that adds a unique, tropical feel to your indoor herb garden. Lemongrass has a light, citrusy flavor with hints of lemon and ginger, bringing a refreshing and slightly tangy taste to dishes. Lemongrass prefers well-drained soil and requires regular watering. Grab a pot with excellent drainage, fill it with potting soil, and watch your lemongrass grow. But make sure to give it ample space to thrive, because lemongrass can grow fast and tall. The good news is you can harvest it frequently to keep it happy, healthy, and growing.

    

Culinary Uses: Lemongrass is a key ingredient in many Asian dishes, particularly in Thai soups, curries, and stir-fries. It also works well in marinades, teas, and cocktails for a bright, zesty flavor.

Tips and Tricks for Beginners

Starting an indoor herb garden is simple, but a few tips can ensure your herbs grow healthy and strong:

• Most herbs love sunlight, so place them near a sunny window where they can soak in at least 6 hours of light daily.

• Overwatering is one of the most common mistakes for indoor gardeners. Let the soil dry slightly between waterings, but ensure herbs are not sitting in waterlogged soil.

• Pots with drainage holes are essential for preventing root rot. Make sure your containers allow excess water to escape.

• Snipping herbs regularly encourages them to grow bushier and prevents them from becoming too leggy. Plus, you’ll always have fresh herbs on hand!

• Plant your herbs in separate pots or give them plenty of room in larger containers to grow.

• If your windowsill doesn’t get even light, rotate your pots every few days to help your herbs grow evenly.

By growing herbs indoors, you’ll enjoy fresh, flavorful ingredients all year long, right from your kitchen windowsill.

Start your indoor herb garden today and reap the rewards of fresh flavors at your fingertips!