Imagine this.

As you cook a delectable meal for your friends, you bustle about the kitchen chopping, stirring, and frying ingredients. Instead of going to the pantry for bland, dried herbs, you go to your very own indoor herb garden! You pluck fresh and fragrant leaves off your plants and toss them into a simmering pot of mouth-watering deliciousness.

Sound too good to be true? It’s not!

Whether the weather is cold or hot, snowy or raining, fresh herbs are within your reach! Creating a kitchen herb garden is a wonderful way to have access to herbs all year long. The best part is it only requires a space for your herbs to grow with proper sunlight, love, and care!

Take a look at how to make your own indoor garden and grow a kitchen herb garden with ease!

Material’s Required

potted herb sitting on the kitchen counter next to a windowsill

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Before you start to rearrange your kitchen to add space for your indoor herb garden there are some things to gather first.

  • Pots, jars, or containers of your choosing
  • Potting mix soil
  • Herb plants or seeds
  • Watering can

Step One – Choose Your New Garden Location

Woman trimming leaves from herb plant sitting in the kitchen windowsill

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To begin your journey of creating an herb garden in your kitchen, you must first decide where to put it! For some with large kitchens and big windows this is likely an easy decision. Countertops, wide window sills, or even a section of open cupboards that receive plenty of direct sunlight.

For those, on the other hand, with smaller spaces, your herb garden might require some creativity. If your kitchen is too small with no extra space, consider creating your garden to grow upwards! Hang your garden in a window, add shelves to walls, or even move your garden into a nearby room.

Whatever size of space you have, ensure your new herb garden receives plenty of sunlight. Herbs, even those grown indoors, are sun lovers. The more direct sunlight you offer them, the more they produce!

Step Two – Select Your Pots, Containers, or Jars

Indoor herb garden with plants in different styles of pots

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What you choose to grow your herbs in is up to you! Some like using dainty little pots, others use whatever containers are left around the house. The style, color, and selection are whatever you prefer.

But, keep in mind, it is critical to ensure your pots have good drainage and is the correct size. A 4 to 6 inch wide pot is standard for most herbs. A terracotta pot is also a wise decision as it dries out quickly, saving your plant from wet feet.

Another alternative to growing your herbs in pots and containers is to use water-filled jars. Some plants like basil and mint, for example, are content to grow in a jar full of water. Simply stick your herb cuttings into the jar of choice, not allowing the leaves touch the water. Then, regularly change the water every few days and watch the roots grow! Soon you'll have a new thriving herbs!

Step Three – Fill Your Pots with Good Soil

Rustic table with terracotta pots, potting soil, trowel and herbs in front of a beautiful garden. Extreme shallow depth of field.

Image credits: Stephanie Frey via Shutterstock

Herbs like well-draining soils. Herbs with too much damp soil around their roots often succumb to root rot or other diseases. Therefore, when purchasing soil for your new pots and planters, always ensure the soil contains sand or perlite.

Potting soil mixes for indoor herb gardens are available in many garden stores. These mixes contain the right amount of nutrients and organics for optimal growth. Remember, that each season, your indoor herbs will require more soil.

For convenience, keep a bag of potting soil at home to refresh your herbs when necessary. Doing this guarantees they are provided with additional nutrients to keep growing!

Step Four – Pot Your Seeds or Herb Plants

Aerial shot of various herbs planted in pots

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You’ve got your pot and your soil, now it is time to plant!

Oregano, basil, mint, thyme, sage, cilantro, rosemary, spearmint, parsley, and more! Select the herbs you use most and want in your kitchen and get growing!

Depending on how quickly you want your herb garden, choose either pre-grown herb plants or seeds. If you buy an established plant, simply plant it into your pot of choice. Alternatively, if you want to grow your herbs from seeds, this takes more time and preparation - they'll need time to germinate.

Growing herbs from seeds is achievable, but requires time, plenty of sunlight, attention, and care. Depending upon the type of herb you are growing, some seeds require soaking before planting. After that, plant your seeds into your pots (or in seedling containers).

Most herb gardeners suggest planting a few seeds at a time. Even if you don’t have the space for multiple plants, growing more seeds gives you a higher chance for success. And, make sure not to plant multiple herbs in one container as they might have different growing requirements.

Pro Tip: Depending on the type of herb you grow, the depth you sow the seed varies. Some herbs require ¼ to ½ an inch depth, where others prefer close proximity to the top soil. Read your seed packet for the best depth. Also check out these other articles on how to properly plant basil, mint, and rosemary from seed indoors!

Step Five – Water and Harvest Your Herbs

Home gardening, cutting herbs with paper scissors

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Because herbs appreciate well-draining soil, it is important to find a good routine for watering your plants. Overwater them and it leads to spotting or yellowing leaves of root rot and disease. Under water them and herbs will droop and wilt, desperate for more water.

Typically, indoor herbs require watering roughly once a week. In the beginning, check the soil before each watering. Stick a finger into the pot to tell if the dirt is damp or dry. Only water if the soil is dry. Track these watering times down in a notebook, and overtime create a schedule for your plants.

Another way to care for your herbs is to regularly harvest them. The more you cut fresh herbs from your plants, the more they grow. If herbs are left too long without harvesting, they get leggy. If you are not ready to use your herbs, harvest them anyways! Use this opportunity to dry, freeze, or store them in your fridge to have for later use.

Herbs are at Your Fingertips!

Beginning an herb garden in your kitchen is simple. All it requires is a sunny spot, good draining pots, rich soil and your favorite herbs! From there, watering, trimming, and harvesting is all that is left for you to do. Soon enough, a variety of herbs are at your fingertips to enhance your cooking and baking all year long!

What is your favorite herb to grow indoors? Comment below and let us know what you love to use them for!

Are you a beginner who wants to know more about how to start a basic garden indoors? Take a look at this article that shares some of the easiest ideas for gardeners of any level!