Growing Herbs in Pots
All herbs require three main things to grow and thrive – enough light, sufficient water, and easily draining soil. Whether you plant your herbs indoors or out does not matter. Growing herbs indoors in pots can be just as simple as growing them in your garden.
Sunlight is the primary requirement for all plants to grow, whether indoors or out, and herbs are no exception. If you want herbs growing inside for easy access, it’s best to place them in a south or west facing window, where they will receive the best sunlight.
Remember that each type of herb has its own growing requirements, but most do like a sunny location. If you don’t have access to south or west facing windows or a sunny balcony or deck, then you can supplement your light with artificial lighting. High intensity grow lamps or fluorescent lamps will do the trick.
When you’re growing herbs indoors, put about an inch of gravel at the bottom of your pot or container before you add your soil mixture. This will allow the soil to drain properly, so your herb’s roots will stay healthy. Use a mixture of sterilized potting soil with coarse sand or perlite added, so that the soil will stay loose. Check the soil pH, and adjust it with lime if it is too acidic.
Your herbs growing indoors will need water and humidity as well. Our homes are often too dry for plants to thrive, so placing your plant pots on a bed of gravel in a tray. Adding water to the tray will increase humidity around them. Misting weekly also helps. Any container-grown plant needs more attention than ones grown in the garden, so check them frequently. Water your pot herbs only when the top inch of soil has dried out.
Because you have the freedom to move your plants easily when they are container grown, your herbs in pots can be moved outside for the summer. Annual herbs can remain indoors, but any potted perennial herbs will thrive with a summer outdoors. Do remember to bring them indoors before frost sets in, and inspect them for any insects or disease.
By growing herbs indoors, you’ll have access to them for cooking no matter the time of year, and you won’t have to trek out to the garden for them. Just remember to use them by lightly harvesting the tips to encourage new growth, and you’ll have a healthy vigorous indoor herb garden.
