Anyone with tastebuds loves herbs–they bring immense flavor and fragrance to our favorite dishes and a touch of nature to our homes. Best of all, they’re often very easy to grow indoors, so you don’t even need a yard. That’s not always the case, though, but the following herbs will survive and thrive indoors all year long.
Basil
One of the most versatile herbs out there, basil grows wonderfully indoors, but it should be placed on a sunny windowsill, as it needs plenty of warmth and light to grow well. Regularly pinching the tops encourages even bushier growth, preventing the plant from becoming leggy. Be sure to use well-draining soil, though, as basil doesn’t like sitting in water.
Mint
Another herb that you can easily grow indoors all year long is mint, a hardy plant that can quickly spread. For this reason, you’ll need to keep it contained in a pot. In contrast to basil, it prefers indirect sunlight and regular watering, but this still makes for a low-maintenance addition to your indoor garden. You’ll have fresh mint leaves for teas, desserts, or garnish with minimal effort–who wouldn’t want that?
Cilantro
Contrary to popular belief, cilantro prefers cooler temperatures rather than warm climates, although it still needs bright light to grow. It should be noted that growing it indoors all year can be tricky due to its quick bolting cycle, but it’s certainly possible. Ultimately, it tends to grow fast, flower, and go to seed, which means you may need to replant regularly if you want a continuous supply.
Parsley
Parsley grows well indoors and can tolerate lower light than many other herbs, making it a solid, low-maintenance option. Sure, it needs consistent moisture to stay healthy, but both curly and flat-leaf varieties are well-suited for indoor pots, so it won’t require you to put in too much effort. With a bit of care, parsley will keep providing flavorful leaves for soups, salads, and more, making it a highly versatile addition to your pantry.
Thyme
Thyme is another easy herb to grow indoors as long as it gets some sunlight and is planted in well-draining soil. What’s more, this herb can handle occasional neglect, making it ideal for indoor gardeners who don’t want to fuss too much. As you no doubt know, thyme’s tiny leaves pack a punch of flavor, so if you’re not already growing it, you’re missing out.
Chives
The mild onion flavor of chives is a great addition to a variety of foods, and they don’t need much beyond regular watering to keep producing. They grow easily indoors, thrive in bright but indirect sunlight, and even regrow quickly after being cut. So, you’ll always have fresh chives ready for garnishing dishes.
Oregano
Famously, oregano loves warm, sunny conditions and needs well-drained soil to grow properly indoors. However, as long as you can meet these conditions, you’ll find it a piece of cake. Trim it regularly to prevent it from getting too leggy, and its aromatic leaves will keep renewing. You’ll thank yourself later when you have plenty of fresh oregano for Italian and Mediterranean dishes, and it will always taste better than the store-bought stuff.
Rosemary
Rosemary prefers bright light and drier soil, so it’s a great herb for anyone looking for a low-maintenance indoor plant, as long as you live in a sunny region. Occasional pruning will keep the plant from becoming too woody, and its strong, earthy flavor makes it a favorite for seasoning meats and stews. Overall, it’s pretty easy to care for all year round!
Sage
When grown indoors in a sunny spot, sage is easy to handle and doesn’t need frequent watering once established. This makes this drought-tolerant herb perfect for low-maintenance indoor gardening, yet its savory leaves add a whole lot of depth to stuffings and roasted vegetables. Best of all, sage can tolerate occasional neglect, making it ideal for beginners.
Lemongrass
You can easily grow lemongrass indoors as long as it gets plenty of light and regular watering, just like most herbs on this list. To keep things simple, you can even start growing lemongrass from stalks bought at the grocery store. Once developed, this herb adds a fresh, citrusy flavor to teas, soups, and stir-fries, bringing a tropical touch to your cooking.
Tarragon
Tarragon can be grown indoors, though it’s going to require consistent light and watering, so you’ll want to pot it on your windowsill. It’s probably one of the trickier herbs on this list to grow, but it’s really not that bad, and the tasty rewards that you will reap will be totally worthwhile.
Bay Laurel
As long as you don’t mind being patient for a slow-growing herb, bay laurel can be cultivated indoors with proper care. It enjoys a sunny spot and occasional misting to keep its glossy leaves healthy, but if you put in this minimal effort, its leaves make for a tasty addition to soups, stews, and sauces.
Lavender
Lavender not only smells wonderful but can also be used for teas and desserts, adding a calming touch to your indoor herb garden. It depends on bright light and well-draining soil, so don’t go overboard with the watering, and make sure you live in a sunny area.
Marjoram
One of the rarer herbs on this list, marjoram is a close relative of oregano, though it has a milder, sweeter flavor. It grows well indoors with enough sunlight, and you’ll no doubt love it as an addition to your herb collection. Just keep it regularly trimmed and the soil well-drained, and your marjoram will no doubt grow to be bushy and productive.
Dill
Few people realize that dill can be grown indoors all year round, primarily due to its short life cycle. This doesn’t mean it’s impossible, though–you may just need to replant it regularly for continuous harvests. At the end of the day, this feathery herb enjoys bright light and consistent moisture, keeping things pretty simple, and you’ll probably love integrating its unique flavor into seafood, salads, and homemade pickles.
Chamomile
For fans of herbal tea, you simply cannot miss out on growing some chamomile. It’s a delightfully easy herb to grow indoors, simply requiring sun and soil. Drain the soil regularly, and dry out the herbs when harvested to strain for tea, perfect for relaxing before bedtime.
Lemon Balm
Last on our list is lemon balm, yet another easy-to-grow herb that will do just fine indoors. It can even tolerate occasional neglect, making it a solid choice for beginner herbalists. Indirect light will be quite sufficient, and while it will do best with regular watering, it really isn’t too fussy if you forget to water now and then. Regularly pinch back the stems to encourage bushier growth, and you’ll have fresh, lemony leaves for teas, salads, and desserts all year long.