11 Herbs for Indoor Container Gardening

by Kiringai EssieSeptember 7, 2012

Print these indoor-herb I.D. cards as a handy reference for growing information. Photo by Gina Cioli/Bowtie, Inc. (HobbyFarms.com)
Photo by Gina Cioli/Bowtie, Inc.

Wintertime can often mean retiring the garden and relying on dried herbs for your homemade meals. Growing herbs indoors in windowsill containers allows you to extend your gardening activities to the cold months and have fresh ingredients on hand for recipes and crafts—not to mention, these plants make great air fresheners!

The 11 herbs below are a great place start your indoor herb garden, but are not the only plants suited for growing in the house. Position the plants near a sunny window and keep them well-watered. To minimize pests, such as aphids and mealy bugs, infecting these indoor houseplants, prevent stressing the plants by ensuring they receive the adequate amount of sun and water and wash plants every couple of weeks as needed. Also be aware of introducing pests indoors if bringing your potted herbs inside from a back patio or purchasing from a nursery. To keep existing houseplants from being affect, sequester the new plants

Print off these indoor-herb ID cards for a handy growing reference.

1. Thyme
(Thymus vulgaris)

Soil requirements: loose, well-drained soil; pH between 4.5 and 8.0
Water requirements: more than 1 inch per week
Sunlight requirements: full sun; 6 hours is ideal
Container size: 4- to 12-inch diameter
Uses: flavoring for cheese, dressing, egg and tomato dishes, fish, honey, poultry, rice, sauce, soup, stew, stuffing; fragrance in potpourri and sachets; herbal medicine; tea
Recipes to try:
Raspberry Lemon-thyme Sparkler
Herbed Vinegar
Turkey Vegetable Soup with Rice

	2. Sage (Salvia officinalis) Soil requirements: rich, light, well-drained soil; pH between 4.2 and 8.3 Water requirements: 1 inch per week; allow soil to dry between waterings Sunlight requirements: full sun; minimum 6 hours per day Container size: 8- to 30-inch diameter Uses: flavoring for cheese, fish, ground meat, honey, pickles, salad, sausage, soup, stew, stuffing; herbal medicine; natural insect repellent Recipes to try: Brussel Sprout and Cauliflower Gratin Venison Meatloaf
	3. Parsley (Petroselinum crispum) Soil requirements: rich, moist, well-drained soil; pH between 4.9 and 8.3 Water requirements: water deeply once per week; do not overwater Sunlight requirements: full sun; minimum 5 hours per day Container size: 6- to 18-inch diameter Uses: flavoring for dressing, salad, sauce, soup, stew; garnish; herbal medicine; ornamental edging Recipes to try: Herbed Goat Cheese Dip Pasta Carbonara Italian Lettuce Wraps with Chilled Orzo
	4. Oregano (Origanum vulgare) Soil requirements: well-drained soil; pH between 4.5 and 8.7 Water requirements: more than 1 inch per week Sunlight requirements: full sun; 6 hours per day is ideal Container size: 8- to 24-inch diameter Uses: flavoring for meat, salad, sauce, sausage, soup, stew, tomato dishes, vegetables; herbal medicine Recipes to try : Chile Pecan Stuffing Baked Eggplant with Creamy Roasted-garlic and Oregano Sauce Lemony Oregano Mint Pesto Sauce
	5. Winter Savory (Satureja montana) Soil requirements: dry, well-drained soil; pH between 6.5 and 7.3 Water requirements: 1 inch per week; allow soil to dry between waterings Sunlight requirements: full sun Container size: 8- to 24-inch diameter Uses: flavoring for fish, meat, salad, sausage, soup, stew Recipe to try: Herbed Mustard
	6. Mint (Mentha) Soil requirements:moist, rich, well-drained soil; pH between 6.0 and 7.0 Water requirements: more than 1 inch per week Sunlight requirements: partial to full sun; minimum 6 hours is ideal Container size: 8- to 24-inch diameter Uses: flavoring for confections, infused vinegar, jelly, sauce; fragrance in bath products, candles, perfume; tea Recipes to try: Fresh Mint Tea Watermelon and Mint Aguas Frescas Mint Candy Grower’s tip:Grow mints in pots by themselves, as they will overwhelm other plants.
	7. Marjoram (Origanum majorana) Soil requirements: rich, well-drained soil; pH between 4.9 and 8.7 Water requirements: 1 inch per week; allow soil to dry between waterings Sunlight requirements: full sun; minimum 6 hours is ideal Container size: 12- to 24-inch diameter Uses: flavoring for confections, egg dishes, fish, infused vinegar, jelly, meat, salad, sausage, soup, stew, stuffing, vegetables; fragrance in sachets, potpourri; herbal medicine; material for crafts; tea Recipes to try: Asparagus Frittata Spinach Velvet Soup Cornish Game Hens with Apple Bacon Stuffing
Photo courtesy Mountain Valley Growers, Inc.	8. Patchouli (Pogostemon patchouli) Soil requirements: rich, friable, well-drained soil; pH between 5.5 and 6.2 Water requirements: at least 1 inch per week Sunlight requirements: partial sun Container size: 8- to 30-inch diameter Uses: fragrance in incense, perfume, soap
	9. Sweet Basil (Ocimum basilicum) Soil requirements: well-drained, not heavily fertilized soil; pH between 4.3 and 8.2 Water requirements: at least 1 inch per week Sunlight requirements: full sun; minimum 6 hours is ideal Container size: 16- to 18-inch diameter Uses: flavoring for infused vinegar, meat, pasta sauce, poultry, soup, stew; herbal medicine; tea Recipes to try: Chocolate Basil Whiskey Cake Roast Beef Wraps with Garlic Basil Aioli Tomato Zucchini Crostini and Canadian Bacon
	10. Bay Laurel (Laurus nobilis) Soil requirements: moist, well-drained soil; pH between 4.5 and 8.3 Water requirements: at least 1 inch per week Sunlight requirements: partial to full sun; grow lights; minimum 6 hours is ideal Container size: 12-inch diameter; 8 inches deep Uses:flavoring for beverages, fish, infused vinegar, meat, pudding, soup, stew; garland and wreaths; ornamental plant Recipes to try: Grilled Creole Corn and Vegetables Garden Vegetable Soup with Basil Pesto Indian-spiced Stuffed Tomatoes
	11. Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) Soil requirements: alkaline, well-drained, not heavily fertilized soil; pH between 4.5 and 8.7; sandy or rocky soils OK if given minimum soil depth of 8 inches Water requirements: at least 1 inch per week Sunlight requirements: full sun Container size: 12-inch diameter; 8 inches deep Uses: flavoring for bread, butter, infused vinegar, jam, meat, stuffing, vegetables, stew; fragrance in bath products; herbal medicine; natural insect repellent; tea Recipes to try: Apple Brie Soup Citrus-braised Wild Duck Sweet Potato Oven Fries