An indoor herb garden takes many forms, and growing herbs in pots is just one of many options available to a natural herb enthusiast. Potted herbs are easy to maintain and typically require less maintenance than herb gardens grown outdoors. A decorative hanging basket or window box can also be an attractive addition to your indoor environments. Let’s take a closer look at some of the aspects involved with growing potted herbs.

Potted plants, or all plants for that matter, require three basic ingredients to thrive – controlled sunlight, good soil, and an adequate water supply. Fresh herb gardens are no exception. Proper placement and regular care will ensure your plants thrive and produce regularly. The amount and variety of the herbs you grow will allow determine how they should be lit.

Where would you place potted herbs to offer the best sunlight? Find a room with a window that faces south or west. These directions give the most favorable light. Some people utilize supplemental lights like fluorescent grow lamps that offer more consistent, even lighting for potted plants. These lights work well in isolated, temperature-controlled areas, if there is indoor space to set them up properly.

In terms of soil quality and chemistry, fresh herb gardens thrive in soil that isn’t too rich and has adequate drainage. This is achieved by combining sterilized potting soil with a mixture of perlite and coarse sand, in a two-to-one ratio. There should also be a base amount of gravel in the bottom of each pot to allow water to drain easily from the soil.

Adding a small amount of lime to potting soil also helps balance the pH level for optimum growing conditions. A teaspoon of lime in a five-inch pot is a good rule of thumb.

 How you water your herb plants also makes a differencein how well they thrive. Some people utilize a spray bottle to mist the leaves of herbs and keep the surface soil damp without drowning the soil with water. This helps avoid over-watering the plant or drenching the roots of the plant with too much water. Consider how water is distributed to herbs in outdoor gardens through rainfall.

 Growing herbs in pots indoors also gives you the opportunity to move perennials outdoors in the summer, while keeping the more delicate annuals mostly inside. With only a few exceptions, as in the case of herbs like tarragon, chive, and mint, all of which can tolerate an early mild frost, most herbs should be taken indoors before the first frost in winter.

Some herbs do better in pots or containers than others, and the variety you choose to grow will determine the strategy you use to bring the best results. Some of the more popular choices for container herbs are things like marjoram, lemon balm, chamomile, basil, oregano, and rosemary. Mint can be a little tricky, since it tends to dominate the soil and reproduces quickly. In these cases, a little extra maintenance may be required to isolate certain plants and keep your containers under control.

With proper pruning and regular maintenance, growing herbs in pots yields wonderful results. Some trial and error is necessary to learn the best techniques, and most herbs do best when they are repotted and harvested regularly. Herb gardening is a rewarding experience that offers fresh ingredients for your favorite meals and provides a long-lasting hobby for years to come.

 

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