QA

Question: How To Plant Indoor Herbs

What herbs can you grow indoors?

Basil, oregano, mint, chives, sage, rosemary, and thyme are the easiest herbs to grow indoors, whether you have them in the garden already or wish to plant them now.

How do you properly plant herbs?

Like most plants, herbs grow best in well-draining soil. No one likes soggy roots! In a container, use basic potting soil amended with a little aged compost or worm castings. Amend native soil with compost, and horticultural sand to improve drainage if needed (e.g. if you have clay soil).

How do you care for indoor potted herbs?

Indoor herbs need both high humidity and excellent air circulation. Mist your herbs once a week or set them on a tray of pebbles filled with water to keep the humidity up. If you find your herbs are affected by mildew, you may want to consider adding a fan to keep the air circulation consistent.

What herbs should not be planted together?

What herbs should not be planted together? Keep fennel and wormwood isolated from other plants. Rue should be kept away from sage, basil, and cabbages. Anise and dill should not be planted near carrots. Keep dill clear of tomatoes. Sage makes a bad bedfellow with cucumber and onion.

Do herbs need full sun?

Grow Your Herbs on The Sunny Side They need sun – and lots of it. Most herbs require at least 6 hours of sun per day outdoors. Indoors, much less light gets in, especially in the winter. So be sure you can place your herbs in a sunny spot, preferably in a south-facing window.

Can you grow herbs all year round indoors?

Many cooks grow herbs indoors during the winter when it’s too cold outside or too wet to dig in the dirt, but you can grow herbs inside any time of year. Indoor herbs prefer the same temperatures that most people do—around 65 to 70 degrees F—so if you’re comfortable, they probably are.

How do you start an indoor herb seed?

To start herb seeds indoors, use a peat-based soil-less seed-starting mix in a 3- to 4-inch-deep container or seed-starting flat with drainage holes. Pre-moisten the mix with water until it feels like a wrung-out sponge. Fill labeled containers with the moist mix, leaving about one-quarter inch of space at the top.

Can basil grow indoors?

Basil is a hardy herb that grows extremely well both indoors and outdoors. As long as the plant receives the proper moisture and sunlight, it will thrive in any location. I grow basil in containers both inside and outside, and I also love to tuck it into my vegetable garden boxes.

Do herbs need drainage holes?

Excellent drainage is essential, no matter how you grow herbs. Poor drainage quickly leads to root problems, including rot. Give herbs coarse, fast-draining soil, so roots get air as well as water. Herbs in containers need good drainage holes so water flows through freely.

Do herbs like lots of water?

All plants need regular watering, although certain herbs need more water than others. The majority of herbs need water when the soil feels dry to the touch. A good rule of thumb for most herbs is to water about once per week. During extreme heat or drought conditions, sometimes twice per week will be needed.

Do indoor herbs attract bugs?

Does growing herbs indoors attract bugs? While most herbs have the added benefit of producing a strong odor that deters most bugs, they are an indoor plant that can be bothered by the same kind of bugs and pests that a normal houseplant could be bothered by.

Should you mist herbs?

“I mist a lot more than I water,” says Bridgewater, who offers private consultations via Patreon. “I try not to get the soil too wet, and misting achieves this while also providing humidity.” Give your plants a drink only when the topsoil feels dry to touch. Make sure the pot has proper drainage holes.

How long do potted herbs last?

Such herbs are not intended to last more than 1-2 weeks. You may notice that they are growing in a well-draining vermiculite-like mix. Watering the herbs keeps them for a week or two but they soon yellow and begin to look less inviting for your salad. This is because there is little nutrient in the potting mix used.

What can you not plant with basil?

Basil grows well next to many plants, but there are a couple of plants to avoid growing near basil. Herbs. While you can plant basil next to chamomile, oregano, and chives, basil generally prefers the company of vegetables over other herbs, and should not be planted near rue or sage.

What is the best time to plant herbs?

You have two options when it comes to starting perennial herbs: You can plant them directly in the ground or grow them in pots. Early spring is the best time to plant outdoors, but you can put the herbs in the ground any time of year that it’s not frozen.

How close can you plant herbs together?

Some specific guidelines include three to four feet for rosemary, sage, mint, oregano and marjoram, two feet for basil, thyme, tarragon and savory, and one foot for cilantro, chives, dill and parsley.