Freshly harvested herbs add flavor to foods and offer numerous health benefits. There are some herbs that do not require sunlight and an outdoor atmosphere to thrive. Indoor herbs just require a bright window and some basic care to keep them nourished and healthy.
Herbs to Grow Indoors
Basil
Basil is commonly used in world cuisines and is also a major sauce and salad ingredient at home. It is rich in Vitamins A and K, calcium and potassium. It is also a powerful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant that boosts cardiovascular health. To grow basil, plant the seeds in a pot of nutrient rich soil and place it near a window. They require light and warmth to thrive.
Thyme
Thyme is ideal for flavoring pork, poultry soup and sauces. It is also used as a home remedy for sore throats and upset stomachs. To grow thyme indoors, dig up or root a soft tip cutting from an outdoor plant. Pot the plant and place it where it receives adequate light. Thyme thrives in full light or sun.
Rosemary
Rosemary has become a staple herb in most kitchens. It is ideal for flavoring meat. Cut a piece of rosemary plant outdoors and place it in a soilless but moist mix until it develops roots. After it develops roots, place it in a south facing window.
Parsley
Parsley resembles coriander leaves and is rich in potassium, manganese, magnesium, iron and calcium. It can be grown from seeds or in a clump dug from an outdoor garden. It thrives in full sunlight but can also grow if it is placed in an east or west facing window.
Sage
Cut a tip from an outdoor plant and place it in a pot to grow indoor sage. Sage tolerates dry air and an indoor atmosphere, but it must receive adequate light to thrive. Place it near a south facing window.
Tarragon
Tarragon thrives during early winter. Take a mature plant from the outdoor garden and pot it then leave it to dry completely before taking it indoors. Store it in the coolest part of the house for 3 to 4 days before placing it in a south facing window. Ensure it gets enough light and feed it adequately with organic liquid fertilizer.
Bay
Bay is a perennial plant that will grow year round in containers. It is possible to just shift the containers from the outdoor garden to an indoor gardening corner. Make sure it is placed near a west or east facing window and in an area with adequate air circulation.
Chervil
Chervil growth starts from seeds, and it requires temperatures of about 70 degrees F to thrive. They do well under minimal light, so placing them near a window is not a requirement.
Chives
Dig up a chives clump from the garden and place it in a pot or container. Leave the container outside until the chive leaves dry completely. Move the container indoors during early winter and place it in a cool area for a few days before placing it near a bright window. Chives thrive under natural light.
Related Articles
Growing Healthy, Productive and Profitable Plants through Succession Planting
Growing Strawberries Is Not Just For the Birds
Sunflower Greens, the Super Food!
Comment here