How to grow a herb garden on your windowsill
A sunny windowsill that enjoys at least four hours of sunlight daily is all you need to have freshly-cut herbs at your fingertips.
Seeds vs seedlings
Seeds will give you more bang for your buck, as long as you don’t mind waiting a few months for your herbs to be ready for harvesting. On the other hand, planting seedlings will ensure you’ll be enjoying fresh, flavourful herbs in as little as a few weeks.
Choosing a container
You can have your pick of container when it comes to growing herbs indoors, as long as it has drainage holes. Choose a pot that’s at least 15cm deep and don’t forget to add a saucer to the bottom of your container, to stop water from spilling and staining your windowsill.
By planting each herb in its own container, you can give each plant the individual care it needs. But if you want to grow herbs together in one container, just make sure they share the same growing needs.
Positioning your indoor herbs
Herbs need sun to grow, so make sure your windowsill enjoys at least four hours of sunlight daily. The more sun your herbs get, the more aroma and flavour they’ll pack. Don’t forget to turn the container every few days so your herbs grow evenly.
Planting your indoor herbs
Choose a good quality, light and well-draining potting mix specially formulated for edibles. Read more about well-draining potting mix here. Never use soil from the garden: it may contain diseases and lacks the nutrients your herbs need.
If planting multiple herbs in the same container, space your herbs evenly and give each plant room to grow. Leave a couple of centimetres free of soil from the top of the container, for watering. Water your herbs straight after planting, to help them settle in. If planting seeds, follow the guide on the seed packet as to how far down to sow.
Watering your indoor herbs
How much you need to water your indoor herbs will depend on the season, but a good rule of thumb is to ensure the soil stays moist but not soggy. Drain the saucers after watering so your herbs don’t sit in water. If in doubt, poke your finger a couple of centimetres into the soil. If it feels dry, it’s time to water. Keep in mind that indoor herbs can dry out quickly indoors in winter, when the heating is on.
Feeding your indoor herbs
Herbs don’t need a lot of fertiliser, but a feed every other month, with a fertiliser specially designed for edibles at half-strength will keep them happy and thriving.
Pruning your indoor herbs
When you see new growth, it’s time to start snipping off your herbs. The more you snip, the bushier your herbs will get, but never cut more than one third of your plant, or it may die. If your herbs looks leggy rather than shrubby, pinch back any branching plants.
What herbs to grow indoors
Discover our great indoor herb range instore, including:
- chives
- common thyme
- coriander
- dill
- Italian parsley
- oregano
- rocket salad
- spring onion
- sweet basil
- triple curled parsley