You can grow herbs in pots or containers indoors. They can also be grown in window boxes or hanging baskets. Growing herbs in pots is easy, just like they growing them in an outdoor garden. Indoor herb gardens need the same growing requirements that garden herbs need.
All plants need three main things in order to grow successfully; sunlight, soil and water. And this includes herbs.
Herbs grown indoors or outdoors need sunlight to grow. To grow herbs in pots and get the best kind of sunlight, herbs grown in a kitchen or any other room should be placed on a window facing south or west. All types of herbs need a sunny location even if they have different light requirements. Some home herb growers supplement the light source with “grow lamps” or fluorescent lamps.
A well-drained, not too rich soil is what herbs need to grow in. Add two parts of sterilized potting soil with one part coarse sand or perlite for herbs that are grown in containers. An inch thick of gravel placed at the bottom of each pot is needed to ensure good drainage. Herbs grown in pots indoors can also be fertilized with one teaspoon of lime per 5-inch pot to ensure that the soil is good enough for the herbs.
Herbs grown in pots also need water. Herbs can be kept humid by misting the plants and moistening the pebbles. Herbs grown in containers require more water than those grown in the garden however their roots should not be soaked in water.
The freedom to move the herb is one advantage in growing herbs in pots. Perennial herbs do better if they are placed outside during the summer, unlike annual herbs where they can spend most of their time indoors. Although all herbs should be brought inside before the first frost in order to avoid the loss of foliage.
Mint, chives and tarragon are not included under this rule. These types of herbs will go into a rest period then form firmer and fresher growth after it is introduced to a light frost.
All herbs can be grown in containers but some herbs do better then others. Mint is an herb that needs to be contained or it will take over the garden.
Growing herbs in pots in an indoor garden is fairly easy to maintain. It keeps the herbs handy and within reach anytime you need them for cooking.
With these tips listed above, you will be able to care for your herbs and ensure a healthy plant.
For optimum health, herbs must be periodically fed and annually repotted. Remember to replant annuals every year and move perennials outdoors when needed. Plus, use your herbs as much as you want, as well as harvest them occasionally. It is no secret that pruning plants encourages new growth. This is also true for herbs. Grow herbs in pots, store them, give them away to friends, and most of all, use them in your recipes.
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