Best Herbs to Grow Indoors for Beginners

Growing herbs indoors is an excellent way to bring fresh, organic flavors into your kitchen year-round. For beginners, it’s an easy and rewarding introduction to gardening. Indoor herbs are perfect for small spaces, and they don’t require a lot of maintenance. With the right care and conditions, you can grow a variety of herbs indoors to enhance your cooking, make teas, or even for medicinal purposes.

In this guide, we’ll explore the best herbs to grow indoors for beginners, providing tips on how to care for them and how to use them in your daily life. Let’s dive in and start your indoor herb garden today!

1. Basil

Basil is one of the most popular herbs for indoor gardening, especially for beginners. It’s easy to grow, thrives indoors, and offers a burst of fresh flavor in dishes like pasta, pesto, and salads. Basil prefers warm temperatures and lots of sunlight, so placing it on a sunny windowsill is ideal.

• Light Needs: Basil requires at least 6-8 hours of sunlight daily. If you don’t have enough natural light, consider using a grow light to supplement.
• Watering: Keep the soil slightly moist but not soggy. Water it when the top inch of soil feels dry.
• Harvesting: Regularly pinch off the top leaves to encourage bushy growth and prevent flowering.

Basil can be grown from seeds or small plants, making it a great option for those starting their herb garden from scratch.

2. Mint

Mint is a hardy herb that grows well indoors and is perfect for beginners because it’s resilient and easy to maintain. With its refreshing flavor, mint is great for teas, salads, and garnishing desserts.

• Light Needs: Mint thrives in indirect sunlight, making it ideal for rooms with less natural light.
• Watering: Mint prefers consistently moist soil. Water it regularly, but make sure the pot has good drainage to avoid waterlogged roots.
• Care Tips: Mint tends to spread quickly, so it’s best to plant it in its own container to prevent it from taking over your indoor garden.

Whether you choose peppermint, spearmint, or another variety, mint is a versatile and beginner-friendly herb to grow indoors.

3. Thyme

Thyme is a fragrant and drought-tolerant herb that’s easy to grow indoors. It’s perfect for beginners because it requires minimal care and adds a rich flavor to dishes like soups, meats, and roasted vegetables.

• Light Needs: Thyme loves full sun and needs about 6 hours of sunlight a day. Place it in a sunny spot like a kitchen window.
• Watering: Water thyme sparingly. Allow the soil to dry out between waterings, as it’s more tolerant of dry conditions than overwatering.
• Harvesting: Trim the stems regularly to encourage new growth and prevent the plant from becoming too woody.

Thyme’s compact size makes it an ideal herb for small spaces or kitchen windowsills.

4. Chives

Chives are one of the easiest herbs to grow indoors and are perfect for beginners. They are fast-growing, need little care, and add a mild onion-like flavor to dishes like salads, soups, and potatoes.

• Light Needs: Chives thrive in bright, indirect sunlight and need at least 4-6 hours of light daily.
• Watering: Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Chives prefer slightly damp soil.
• Harvesting: Snip the leaves from the base when they reach 6 inches tall, and the plant will keep producing.

Chives grow well in small pots, and their thin, grassy leaves make them a great decorative addition to your indoor garden.

5. Oregano

Oregano is a popular Mediterranean herb that’s great for adding flavor to pizzas, pasta, and sauces. It’s a hardy herb that grows well indoors, making it perfect for beginner gardeners.

• Light Needs: Oregano requires about 6 hours of sunlight a day, so place it near a sunny window.
• Watering: Let the soil dry out between waterings, as oregano doesn’t like soggy roots. Water the plant when the top layer of soil feels dry.
• Harvesting: Regularly trim the leaves to encourage new growth and keep the plant compact.

Oregano is easy to grow from seeds or cuttings and can thrive indoors with minimal care.

6. Parsley

Parsley is a versatile and nutrient-packed herb that grows well indoors. It’s perfect for garnishing dishes, making sauces, or adding to soups and stews. Parsley can be grown from seeds, but for faster results, it’s best to start with young plants.

• Light Needs: Parsley thrives with about 6 hours of sunlight a day, but it can tolerate partial shade.
• Watering: Keep the soil moist but not soggy. Water when the top of the soil feels dry.
• Harvesting: Cut the outer leaves first, leaving the inner stems to grow for future harvests.

Parsley is a slow grower, but with patience, it becomes a hardy and productive herb for your indoor garden.

7. Rosemary

Rosemary is a fragrant, evergreen herb that’s perfect for seasoning meats, potatoes, and bread. It’s relatively easy to grow indoors, though it requires more sunlight than some other herbs.

• Light Needs: Rosemary needs 6-8 hours of sunlight per day. A bright, sunny windowsill is ideal, and you may need to rotate the plant to ensure even light exposure.
• Watering: Let the soil dry out between waterings. Rosemary prefers dry conditions over constant moisture.
• Care Tips: Prune rosemary regularly to keep it bushy and prevent it from becoming too leggy.

Rosemary’s beautiful scent and sturdy structure make it a great addition to any indoor herb garden.

8. Sage

Sage is another hardy herb that’s easy to grow indoors, even for beginners. Its earthy flavor is perfect for seasoning meats, sauces, and stuffing. Sage is a low-maintenance herb that grows well in containers.

• Light Needs: Sage needs 6 hours of sunlight a day, so place it in a bright spot.
• Watering: Allow the soil to dry between waterings, as sage prefers dry conditions.
• Harvesting: Regularly prune the leaves to encourage new growth and maintain the plant’s size.

Sage is a tough, drought-tolerant herb that adds both flavor and beauty to your indoor garden.

9. Cilantro

Cilantro, also known as coriander, is a versatile herb used in various cuisines, especially Mexican and Asian dishes. While cilantro can be a bit trickier to grow indoors, it’s still manageable for beginners with the right care.

• Light Needs: Cilantro needs at least 4-6 hours of sunlight daily, so place it in a bright location.
• Watering: Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Cilantro doesn’t tolerate dry conditions well.
• Harvesting: Harvest cilantro leaves regularly to prevent the plant from bolting and going to seed too quickly.

Cilantro grows quickly, providing a fresh supply of leaves for cooking throughout the growing season.

10. Lemon Balm

Lemon balm is a fragrant herb from the mint family that’s easy to grow indoors. It’s often used in teas, desserts, and herbal remedies. Lemon balm’s refreshing lemon scent makes it a lovely addition to your home.

• Light Needs: Lemon balm prefers indirect sunlight and does well in rooms with filtered light.
• Watering: Keep the soil evenly moist, but don’t let it become too wet. Lemon balm thrives in slightly damp conditions.
• Harvesting: Trim the leaves regularly to encourage new growth and prevent the plant from becoming too leggy.

Lemon balm is a fast-growing herb that adds both flavor and fragrance to your indoor garden.

Start Growing Your Indoor Herb Garden Today

Growing herbs indoors is an easy and rewarding hobby for beginners. By selecting the right herbs, providing proper light, and ensuring consistent care, you’ll be able to enjoy fresh, flavorful herbs all year long. Whether you’re looking to enhance your cooking or create a calming indoor garden, these easy-to-grow herbs are a perfect starting point. Happy gardening!

FAQs About Growing Herbs Indoors for Beginners