The Ultimate Indoor Herb Garden Guide

Hey everyone! I’ve been really into growing herbs indoors lately and thought I’d share everything I’ve learned because honestly? It’s way easier than I thought it would be and now I have fresh basil for my pasta all the time which is amazing.

At first I was skeptical when I started putting little pots everywhere, but now people keep asking me for tips because there store-bought herbs keep dying. Anyway, here’s everything you need to know to start your own indoor herb garden!

Why Start an Indoor Herb Garden?

First off – fresh herbs are expensive! Have you seen how much they charge for a tiny packet of basil at the grocery store? It’s ridiculous. Plus half the time it goes bad before you can use it all.

But there’s also something really satisfying about snipping your own herbs. It makes you feel accomplished. And the smell when you brush against them is incredible.

According to Diane Kuthy from How to Grow Everything, “Compared to other energy-hungry appliances, indoor herb garden systems do not consume a great deal of energy. Depending on your local cost of electricity, a large hydroponic setup may cost between $10 and $30 per month.” So it’s not going to break the bank.

Getting Started: The Basics

What You’ll Need

This is where I was confused at first because their are so many different ways to do this. But here’s what actually works:

Containers: You don’t need anything fancy! I started with some old yogurt containers (just make sure to poke drainage holes). But if you want to be aesthetic about it, get some nice pots. Just make sure they have drainage because soggy roots equal dead herbs.

Soil: Don’t just use dirt from your backyard (learned this the hard way). Get potting soil from the store. It’s about $5 and will last forever.

Light: This is the tricky part. Most herbs need 6-8 hours of sunlight which is alot, especially in winter. A south-facing window is your best bet, but if you don’t have that you might need a grow light.

Seeds or Plants: I recommend starting with plants from the store because seeds can be finicky and require more patience.

Best Herbs for Beginners

Basil, chives, cilantro, oregano, parsley, rosemary, and thyme are among the easiest herbs to grow indoors according to The Almanac.

Basil – This one grows quickly and smells amazing. Perfect for pizza and pasta. Mint – Grows anywhere. Almost too easy? Put it in it’s own pot because it takes over everything. Chives – You can basically ignore these and they’ll still grow. Great for eggs! Parsley – Very forgiving and you use it in everything.

The Complete Setup Guide

Step 1: Choose Your Location

You want somewhere that gets lots of light but isn’t too hot. I put mine on my windowsill at first but then realized the morning sun was perfect and it looked nice there too.

According to Better Homes & Gardens, herbs grow best when they get full sun. To grow herbs indoors, place them near the brightest window possible. A south or southwest-facing window with direct sunlight is ideal.

Step 2: Prep Your Containers

Make sure there are holes in the bottom! I cannot stress this enough. The first herbs I killed were because I was basically drowning them. Put a small dish underneath to catch water.

Step 3: Add Your Soil

Fill your containers about 3/4 full with potting soil. Don’t pack it down too much – herbs like there soil a little loose.

Step 4: Plant Your Herbs

If your using seedlings from the store, gently remove them from their containers and place them in your pots. If the roots are tangled up, gently separate them with your fingers.

For seeds, follow the packet instructions but usually it’s about 1/4 inch deep.

Step 5: Water and Wait

Water them gently until you see water coming out the drainage holes. Then just wait! And try not to overwater them (my biggest mistake).

Daily Care Tips

Watering

This is where I messed up many times. Different herbs like different amounts of water. Planet Natural explains that basil likes moist soil and oregano and rosemary like drier soils.

Generally, stick your finger into the soil about an inch down. If it’s dry, water it. If it’s still moist, leave it alone.

Harvesting

This part is fun! You can start harvesting once your plants are established (usually after a few weeks). Always cut from the top and never take more than 1/3 of the plant at once.

Pro tip: Pinch off any flowers that appear because they make the leaves taste bitter.

Maintenance

Rotate your pots every few days so all sides get light. Otherwise your plants will start leaning toward the window like there trying to escape.

Clean off any dead or yellowing leaves. It’s not attractive but it helps the plant focus it’s energy on the healthy growth.

15 Creative Indoor Herb Garden Ideas

Here are some ideas I’ve tried or want to try:

1. Mason Jar Herb Garden

Very Pinterest-worthy! Just drill drainage holes in the lids and hang them on the wall. Perfect for small spaces.

2. Kitchen Counter Herb Station

Group all your herbs together on a tray. House Beautiful recommends this setup because it makes cooking much easier when everything’s right there.

3. Vertical Wall Garden

If your short on counter space, go vertical! You can buy pocket organizers and plant herbs in them.

4. Repurposed Tea Tin Planters

I love this because it’s eco-friendly and looks vintage and cute.

5. Hydroponic Setup

For when you want to get fancy. These systems basically do everything for you but there more expensive.

6. Window Box Herb Garden

Classic for a reason! Perfect if you have a good windowsill.

7. Rolling Herb Cart

So you can move your herbs around to chase the sunlight. Also great for small apartments.

8. Hanging Herb Garden

Macrame planters are popular and herbs look good in them.

9. Tiered Plant Stand

Maximizes your space and looks organized.

10. DIY Self-Watering Planters

For when you forget to water things (which happens to everyone).

11. Herb Garden in Old Colanders

The drainage is already built in! Plus it looks unique.

12. Magnetic Herb Pots

Stick them right on your fridge! Convenient for cooking.

13. Ladder Herb Garden

An old wooden ladder makes a perfect plant stand.

14. Terrarium Herb Garden

This one’s harder but it looks magical.

15. Themed Herb Collections

Like a “pizza herb” section with basil, oregano, and rosemary all together.

Troubleshooting Common Problems

My Herbs Keep Dying!

Usually it’s overwatering or not enough light. Move them closer to a window or get a grow light.

The Leaves are Turning Yellow

Either too much water or not enough nutrients. Let the soil dry out and maybe add some plant food.

Everything’s Growing Really Slowly

Probably a light issue. Herbs need lots of sun.

Bugs!

This happened to me once. You can spray them with soapy water or buy plant-safe bug spray.

My Basil Flowers Keep Coming Back

Keep pinching them off! It’s annoying but necessary if you want good-tasting leaves.

Advanced Tips for Herb Garden Enthusiasts

Once you get the hang of it, you can try some fancier techniques:

Start herbs from seed (cheaper but requires more patience)
Make your own herb blends
Dry herbs for winter storage
Try unusual herbs like lemon balm or chocolate mint
Set up a proper grow light system
Keep a garden journal to track what works

Budget Breakdown

Cost matters when your on a budget! Here’s what you can expect to spend:

Starter Budget ($20-30):

3-4 herb plants: $12-16
Basic potting soil: $5
Inexpensive pots with saucers: $8-10

Mid-Range Setup ($50-75):

6-8 herb plants: $25-35
Good quality potting soil: $8
Nice ceramic pots: $15-25
Basic grow light: $15-20

Premium Setup ($100+):

Hydroponic system: $60-150
Premium plants/seeds: $30
Professional grow lights: $40-80

Start small and see if you like it before spending lots of money.

Seasonal Considerations

Spring/Summer: This is herb paradise! Everything grows easily and you barely have to try.

Fall/Winter: More challenging but totally doable. You’ll probably need grow lights and might want to move plants away from cold windows.

I noticed my herbs got sad last winter until I moved them away from the window at night because it gets cold their.

Final Thoughts

Starting an indoor herb garden was one of the best decisions I made this year. It’s easier than it seems, doesn’t cost much to start, and having fresh herbs makes cooking so much better.

Plus it’s actually therapeutic. When I’m stressed, I’ll water my plants and check on them. It’s very calming.

Don’t overthink it – just start with a few easy herbs and see what happens. You’ll probably be surprised at how well you do!

Sources:

If you start an indoor herb garden because of this guide, I’d love to see photos! Seeing other people’s setups is always inspiring and might give me new ideas for my own garden.