You can use all types of pots and containers to grow herbs inside. Hanging containers and window boxes can also be used to cultivate herbs. However, the same essentials that are needed to grow outdoor garden herbs are required to grow herbs inside, meaning the correct mix of soil, light and water.
Sunlight, quality soil and adequate water are the three main things any plant requires to thrive. Herbs are certainly no deviation to this formula. Whether they are being grown indoors or in an outdoor garden, the crucial thing needed to grow herbs – or any type of plant – is the right amount of sunlight. In order to get the proper amount of sunlight for your herbs, position them in a kitchen or other room in window that faces south or west.
All herbs need a bright location to grow, but some types will have distinct light requirements from others. Like some home herb growers, you might want to use fluorescent lamps or “grow lights” to make up for inadequate sunlight. You need to also be sure to use the proper soil – not too rich – that will drain well so your herbs will thrive.
When you are growing herbs in containers, you should use two parts sterilized potting soil to one part coarse sand or perlite. You want to be sure that the herb has good drainage, so you will need to place about an inch of crushed rock in the bottom of each pot. To guarantee the soil is sweet enough for growing herbs in pots indoors, you can supplement one teaspoon of lime per 5-inch container.
Proper watering as another essential factor to productive for both indoor and outdoor herb gardening. The herbs do best in humid conditions, and you can achieve this by dampening the pebbles and misting the plants. Even though they will require more water when growing herbs in pots indoors than when they are grown in an outdoor herb garden, you need to be prudent not to over water them, which can cause the roots to become soggy and rot.
Having the flexibility to be able to move your herbs anywhere you please is a great benefit to growing herbs in pots. Perennial herbs will grow best if you place them outdoors during the summer months, but you can keep annual herbs indoors year round. However, you need to remember that any herbs you have outdoors need to be brought in before the first frost to avoid harm and foliage loss, except for tarragon, chives or mint… When these types of herbs are introduced to a light frost, they will go into a dormant period and then form fresher and firmer growth.
When growing herbs in pots, you will discover that some herbs do better than others in containers. For instance, mint will take over your garden if it is not contained.
Over all it is fairly easy to keep a healthily indoor herb garden. A great advantage of an indoor garden is that anytime you need your herbs for a recipe, they are right there within your reach.
You should be able to raise a great crop of plants in your indoor herb garden if you simply follow the tips we listed above. Make sure to include periodic feeding and yearly repotting should be a part of your herb gardening regimen for optimal results.
Also, pruning your herbs encourages new group, so make sure you harvest them occasionally, even if you do not need them right away (remember you can always dry them). Enjoy your fresh, delicious herbs in your cooking, teas, and crafts.
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