7 Herbs You Can Grow Indoors All Year-Round

Who doesn’t love fresh herbs? You can put them in practically everything, they elevate the flavour of meals, and they make for gorgeous garnishes. You can’t flaw them… Well, the price is probably the least appealing thing about them, but there’s a simple solution for that – growing them indoors!

You don’t need a green thumb to have a flourishing indoor herb garden but it does require patience and budding interest. The following herbs all have varying needs in terms of lighting, watering, and attention.

The one thing that they all require, however, is nutrient-rich soil. It’s imperative that when planting these herbs they are placed in a higher-grade soil which will allow their roots to thrive. If their roots thrive, they’ll stay alive!

1. Basil

A universally loved herb, basil is an extremely popular addition to a plethora of dishes. While it can be tricky to grow, it is possible to have a thriving basil plant inside of your home. To ensure your basil continues to grow, make sure it receives at least six hours of sunlight a day, is planted in a pot with adequate drainage, and is watered regularly so that the soil stays moist – make sure you don’t let your basil plant sit in soggy water, this will cause the roots to rot and the basil to stop growing.

In the mood for a dish with basil? Why not make Paola Bacchia’s Baked Ricotta with Basil Pesto and Confit Cherry Tomatoes.

2. Oregano

Commonly used in tomato-centric dishes, oregano is a staple in many kitchens around the world. While many of us rely on dried versions of the herb, the fresh variant is able to be grown easily at home. Similar to basil, you’ll want to make sure your oregano plant receives around six to eight hours of sunlight a day and is planted in a pot with adequate drainage. Oregano doesn't need to be watered as much in winter so make sure to ease up during the colder months.

In the mood for a dish with oregano? Why not make Kat Vel's Hearty Minestrone Soup With Whipped Butter and Sourdough .

3. Mint

Now mint is a hearty herb that can pretty much grow anywhere, but if you’re mojito-fiend or love adding this fresh green to your meals – why wouldn’t you want to grow it inside? Mint thrives in cooler environments with bright indirect light. The morning sun can often be too harsh on the delicate leaves so be sure the pot is placed away from windows that welcome strong light in.

In the mood for a dish with mint? Why not make Maryah Ananda's Seared Stone Fruit Salad With Goat Cheese, Mint and Pistachios.

4. Chives & Spring Onions

Calling all scrambled eggs and dumpling lovers: chives and spring onions can be grown with ease on your kitchen counter – if your kitchen counter is in a bright sunny location of course. Chives and spring onions can both be treated the same but we recommend planting them in separate pots with adequate drainage. These herbs like to be well-watered in hot weather and sparingly in the colder months.

In the mood for a dish with spring onions? Why not make Camellia Ling Aebischer’s Steamed Egg and Sticky Rice with Sesame Mushrooms.

5. Sage

Popular in Italian cuisine, this powerful herb adds a unique punch to any dish. Be sure to place your sage plant near a sunny window in a pot with adequate drainage. Sage is fairly drought-tolerant so it’s not the end of the world if you forget to water it for a few weeks. Be sure to check the soil before watering the plant again, you want to make sure the soil has completely dried out between waterings.

In the mood for a dish with sage? Why not make Julia Busuttil Nishimura's Pumpkin Gnocchi With Butter and Sage.

6. Rosemary

This aromatic woody delight can be tricky to grow indoors however it is achievable. If you have an existing rosemary plant that you’d like to move indoors be sure to acclimate it slowly so as not to shock the root system. Rosemary thrives in the warmest and brightest part of your home. Allow your rosemary to drain properly before watering again but be sure to never overwater!

7. Thyme

One of the easiest herbs to cultivate, thyme thrives indoors. This lemony herb pairs beautifully with a variety of cuisines and dishes so being able to access it from your countertop is the ultimate luxury. Thyme loves the sun so make sure the soil stays dry and you’ll have an abundance of thyme… all the time.

In the mood for a dish with thyme? Why not make Ashley Alexander's Mushroom & Thyme Pappardelle