One of the most therapeutic and rewarding hobbies is cultivating your own indoor herb garden. With a robust indoor herb garden, not only do you have all the flavors that you need to garnish your food or to make your own tea, but you also infuse your house with an incredibly refreshing aroma. Not to mention, you get to bring a piece of nature into your home. Here are some indoor herb garden ideas to grow more with less.
## Space Saving Indoor Herb Garden Ideas
### Windowsill Herb Garden
A windowsill herb garden is an easy option for space-limited indoor gardening. Herbs that thrive in windowsill gardens include rosemary, oregano, and thyme. These herbs require between four to six hours of sunlight daily.
### Vertical Herb Garden
Vertical gardens offer a creative spin to indoor gardening. They make use of wall space rather than floor space, and the plants are planted in vertical containers or hanging baskets. The advantage of vertical gardens is that they allow you to grow more in tiny spaces. Consider growing herbs like dill, parsley, and cilantro in a vertical garden.
### Hanging Herb Garden
A hanging herb garden on a tension rod in your kitchen window gives you fresh herbs throughout the year and adds an element of beauty to your kitchen. Parsley, sage, rosemary, and thyme are great options for hanging gardens.
## Ideas for Herb Containers
### Recycled Can Herb Garden
Recycled cans are sustainable, cheap, and remarkably functional as containers for indoor herb gardens. You can use different sizes, and if you’re feeling creative, you can paint and design them for that aesthetic appeal.
### Mason Jar Herb Garden
Mason jars serve as a chic display for your indoor herb garden. They can be placed on a dedicated shelf, windowsill, or hung vertically. Mint, basil, and cilantro grow well in mason jars.
## Indoor Herb Garden Maintenance
### Lighting
Herbs need at least six hours of sunlight to grow well. If you don’t have access to natural sunlight, you can use fluorescent bulbs as an alternative.
### Watering
Overwatering your herbs can be as detrimental to their growth as underwatering them. Stick your finger about an inch into the soil. If it’s dry, water the plant, and if it’s damp, you can skip watering.
### Pruning
Regular pruning helps herbs grow bushier and healthier. However, avoid pruning more than one-third of the plant at a time.
## Easy Herbs to Grow Indoors
### Basil
Basil is a versatile herb with a strong flavor that makes a great addition to salads, pizzas, and sauces. Plant the seeds or transplant a small plant into a pot that has good drainage.
### Cilantro
Another easy herb to grow indoors is cilantro. Its unique flavor adds a fresh touch to many dishes. It is a fast-grower, so expect to sow new seeds every few weeks.
### Chives
Compact, robust, and quick to grow, chives thrive indoors. Their tiny size fits well on a windowsill and needs very little maintenance.
### Mint
Mint is incredibly easy to grow and is known for its fast-growing nature. As long as it is watered regularly, and it gets a good stream of light, mint will flourish.
## Absorbing Humidity: Best Indoor Herbs
Some herbs, like parsley and mint, enjoy the humidity created in your kitchen from cooking. These plants can benefit from the excess steam and heat while also providing the fresh herbs you need to complement your meals.
Growing an indoor herb garden is beneficial on many levels. Not only does it add a touch of ‘green’ to your house, but it also provides you with fresh herbs all year round. By following these herb garden ideas, you will be able to maximize your space, grow healthier plants, and contribute positively to the environment.
