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
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
