If you are looking to keep on growing a little fresh flavor all winter long – even as the snow flies outside – then you need to try your hand at planting a few delicious herbs inside. Not only is it easy to do, it can also help add a little life and greenery indoors during all of those long, dreary winter days!
Growing herbs indoors is one of the best ways for gardeners to continue gardening right through the coldest days of winter. And can it ever give incredibly fresh flavor to all kinds of dishes, soups, salads and more.
We would be lost without our little “indoor” herb garden in the winter. And when I say indoor garden – I am simply talking about using a few sunny windowsills to grow some of the flesh flavors we love to dishes – long after the garden season has come to an end.
The best part of growing herbs indoors is it really is incredibly easy to do. It doesn’t require a lot of space or special equipment – nor is it time consuming or difficult to maintain a few plants. In fact, all you need is a sunny window, good soil and a few seeds – and you’re ready to go.
With having your own little indoor herb garden in mind – here is a look at 6 perfect herbs to try your hand at growing inside this winter!
6 Herbs You Can Grow Inside All Winter Long
Success with growing indoor herbs comes down to 3 important factors. Having the right lighting, using the right soil – and making sure to select herbs that grow well indoors with natural light.
Ordinary garden soil is simply too heavy for herbs to survive and thrive indoors. Instead, select a high quality seed starting or potting soil that is lightweight and full of nutrients – just as you would if you were potting up plants in the spring. Affiliate Product Link : Espoma Organic Potting Soil
As for the size of the pot, although 4″ pots will work, 6″ pots are a better choice for growing herbs indoors. They allow enough soil for nutrients while still taking up minimal space. Smaller pots often run out of room a plant’s roots all too soon.
For lighting, select a sunny window in a warm room. The best window to choose is a southern facing window for maximum daily sunlight. Last but not least, it’s vital to pick herbs that do well with window light – and here are 6 of the best!
#1 Chives – 6 Herbs You Can Grow Inside All Winter Long
Chives are one of the tiniest members of the onion family, but do they ever have big flavor! And they also happen to be a breeze to grow indoors.
Their uses are many, but chives are probably best known for chopping up and sprinkling on baked potatoes. They also add a great onion flavor to soups and dry rubs. Chives can also be placed with their stems and blooms in tact in a container of olive oil to help infuse it with their flavor.
You can start chives in two easy ways – planting indoors from seed – or by taking a section of an established plant. If you grew chives outdoor this year, simply take a small start and pot up with fresh potting soil. Affiliate Product Link: Sow Right Seeds – Common Chives Seed for Planting
If starting from seed, start by scattering seeds (20 to 30) over the entire surface of a 6″ pot. Next, cover with 1/4″ of potting soil and moisten lightly. Place in a sunny window and keep soil moist until the seeds germinate. Once it grows to three to four inches in height, you can start to harvest and use its flavorful leaves.
#2 Oregano – 6 Herbs You Can Grow Inside All Winter Long
If you love to cook with a little Italian flair, there is no better herb for you to grow than oregano! Much as with chives, oregano can be grown with ease indoors from an existing plant, or by direct seeding. This perennial is a fast grower, and thrives when placed in a warm, sunny window.
Oregano requires fertile soil, so using a larger pot will help it find enough nutrients to say strong all winter. If growing from direct seed, plant 6 to 8 seeds 1/4″ deep in each 6″ pot. As the seedlings germinate, thin to 3 to 4 plants to allow for thick growth. Affiliate Seed Link: Oregano Seeds
Water well, but allow the soil to dry out in between watering to keep the roots from rotting out. If the plant becomes a bit wild with growth, you can cut it back to force tighter growth.
Oregano also dries easily and is perfect for using to create your own homemade Italian seasoning. To create, just blend equal parts of dried parsley, oregano, basil, thyme and rosemary.
#4 Mint – Growing Herbs Indoors
There are a vast array of mint types available that can bring all kinds of flavor and aromas indoors. From peppermint, spearmint and even chocolate mint, mints are fantastic to use as a garnish or the main ingredient in your favorite teas and drinks. As an added benefit, mint acts as a natural air freshener, filling the surrounding air with its amazing fragrant scent.
Mint can be grown by dividing an existing outdoor plant, or directly from seed. When growing from seed, scatter 8 to 10 seeds in a 6″ pot, 1/4″ deep in the soil. As seedlings emerge, thin plants to about 4 seedlings per 6″ pot for best results.
Mint is extremely drought resistant, so water only as the soil dries out. Harvest as needed, pinching back wild growth to keep the plant manageable. Affiliate Link: Sow Right Seeds – Mint Seed for Planting
#4 Rosemary – 6 Herbs You Can Grow Inside All Winter Long
Growing rosemary from seed indoors during the winter requires a bit of patience. In fact, it is one of the slowest herb seeds to germinate of all. How long? It can actually take as long as two to four weeks to come up through the surface.
Use a light potting soil mix when planting. Adding one part sand to three parts potting soil will give you a good mix for growth. Lightly sprinkle the seeds on the soil surface and cover lightly with soil. Next, mist the soil gently to keep it moist but not soggy. Too much excess water will hinder germination for rosemary.
As the seedlings develop, water them sparingly, allowing the soil to dry slightly between waterings. Regularly rotate the pots to ensure even growth. Rosemary grows slow, but plants can survive easily indoors for years!
#5 Thyme – 6 Herbs You Can Grow Inside All Winter Long
Thyme is a slow growing, low-maintenance herb that is easiest to grow from an existing transplant. Although it can be started from seed, seeds can be slow to germinate (even more than rosemary!), and difficult to keep alive as seedlings.
The good news is many greenhouses and plant stores carry starts of thyme year round for bringing home and growing indoors. Affiliate Plant Link: Lemon Thyme Plant 4″ Pot
When dividing from an existing plant, take starts from the outer edges of an existing plant. These areas easily adapt to potting, and will be more tender and less woody.
#6 Parsley – 6 Herbs You Can Grow Inside All Winter Long
Parsley is so much more than just a garnish for plates. With it’s slightly pepperish flavor and bright green stems and foliage, it’s chock full of vitamins. It also adds big flavor to soups, meat and all types of dishes.
To grow, sow 8 to 12 seeds 1/4″ deep in a 6″ pot, scattering them evenly around the surface of the container. Moisten the soil and place in a warm area to help hasten germination. Affiliate Link: Sow Right Seeds – Flat Leaf Parsley Seed
Once the seeds have started to germinate, place in a sunny, southern facing window. Allow the soil to dry out between watering,. You can cut and use parsley as needed. It will regrow many times from the same stock, so a single plant is usually enough to last all winter.
Here is to filling your winter windows with a few tasty herbs – and keeping the gardening spirit going even as the snow flies outside! Happy Gardening -Jim & Mary
Old World Garden Farms
Jim and Mary Competti have been writing gardening, DIY and recipe articles and books for over 15 years from their 46 acre Ohio farm. The two are frequent speakers on all things gardening and love to travel in their spare time.
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