Even if you don’t have outdoor gardening space, there are plenty of herbs that you can grow indoors successfully on a sunny windowsill. If you do grow herbs in your garden, fall is a great time to think about starting an indoor windowsill herb garden to grow herbs indoors so you can enjoy their fresh flavor all winter long.

Fresh herbs invigorate every meal and just make everything taste good. During the growing season, I love stepping into my garden and harvesting herbs by the handful for cooking whenever I need them.

Wouldn’t it be nice to have fresh homegrown herbs on hand even during the winter months?

Fall is a great time to think about starting an indoor windowsill herb garden to grow herbs indoors. Now that the garden is winding down, I am potting up some plants so I will have a fresh supply of fresh herbs all winter. I simply dig up a few clumps, pot them into 6-inch containers with fresh potting mix, and place them in a south-facing window that receives plenty of light during the day.

I’ve experimented over the years with various ways to grow herbs indoors during the winter. Some do fine while others need more light and warmth than a kitchen windowsill provides. However, there are plenty of herbs that can be grown indoors successfully through winter on a sunny windowsill. Here are my top five favorite herbs that thrive inside:

Grow Herbs Indoors: 5 Herbs that Thrive Inside:

Chives:

If you grow only one herb indoors over winter, let it be chives. The mild onion flavor compliments many dishes of numerous cuisines from breakfast to dinner. Sun: 4-6 hours. Temperature: Average room temperature. Will withstand temperature fluctuation of 55-75°F (13-24°C). Soil: All-purpose potting mix. Water: Twice a week when soil surface feels dry. Tips of foliage will turn yellow if the plant is too dry. Harvest: Once the plant is 6 inches (15 cm) tall, cut leaves as needed leaving at least 2 inches (5 cm) of growth above the soil. The plant will continue to grow. Purchase Chive Seeds

• How to Divide and Pot up Chives

Oregano:

Oregano is a staple in our household and is used most frequently in Italian dishes and as a pizza topping. Sun: 6-8 hours. Temperature: Average room temperature. Will withstand temperature fluctuation of 55-75°F (13-24°C). Soil: Well-drained, sandy soil mix. Mix equal parts all-purpose potting mix and sharp sand. Or use cactus-potting mix. Water: Water when soil surface feels dry about once a week. Oregano is susceptible to root rot so do not overwater. Harvest: Once the plant is 6 inches (15 cm) tall, cut stems as needed leaving at least two sets of leaves. Frequent trimmings produce a bushy, compact plant with healthier foliage making Oregano one of the easiest herbs to grow indoors over winter. Purchase Oregano Seeds

Rosemary:

I’ve grown the same rosemary plant in a pot for the last three years. I bring inside each winter. Sun: At least 6 hours. Temperature: Average room temperature. Will withstand temperature fluctuation of 45-70°F (7-21°C) in winter. Soil: Well-drained, sandy soil mix. Mix equal parts all-purpose potting mix and sharp sand. Or use cactus-potting mix. Water: Allow top few inches of soil to dry out between waterings then water thoroughly. Rosemary likes to stay on the dry side. Harvest: Once the plant is 6 inches (15 cm) tall, cut stems as needed. New growth will continue forming on the stem. Rosemary grows slowly so don’t harvest more than 1/3 of the plant at one time. Purchase Rosemary Seeds

• How to Propagate Rosemary from Cuttings

• Tips for Keeping Rosemary Alive Indoors

Thyme:

The intense flavor of Thyme complements most meats, including chicken, beef, pork, and game. I use thyme in winter in crockpot stews and roast. Sun: At least 6 hours. Temperature: Average room temperature around 50-75°F (10-24°C). Soil: Well-drained, sandy soil mix. Mix equal parts all-purpose potting mix and sharp sand. Or use cactus-potting mix. Water: Allow top 1-inch (2.54 cm) of soil to dry out between waterings then water thoroughly. Once established, Thyme is drought resistant. Harvest: Once the plant is established, cut foliage as needed leaving at least 3-inch (7.5 cm) stems to continue growing. Purchase Thyme Seeds

Parsley:

More than just a garnish, parsley adds a light, fresh flavor and burst of color to many dishes including, roasts, grilled steaks, chicken, fish and vegetables. Sun: At least 6 hours. Temperature: Average room temperature. Will withstand temperature fluctuation of 55-75°F (13-24°C). Soil: All-purpose potting mix. Water: Twice a week when soil surface feels dry. Harvest: Once the plant is established, cut stems at the base leaving at least 2-inch (5 cm) stems to continue growing. Purchase Parsley Seeds

Some Helpful Tips:

If you start your indoor herb garden in fall, begin with established plants so they will continue to grow indoors over winter and produce quicker. Growing from seeds requires more attention and time before the herbs can be harvested and used. I like beginning with established plants potted up from the garden, purchased from a nursery or garden center, or rooted from plant cuttings. See: How to Pot Up Chives and 7 Herbs to Start from Seed

If you have houseplants, it is a good idea to quarantine any plants brought in from your garden for a while to be sure there are no hitchhikers such as pests or disease. Leave these in a separate room for several weeks to be sure there are no surprises.

Propagating herbs from cuttings is a quick way to establish a plant. Cut a 5-inch stem, strip off the bottom few inches of leaves, place stem in water to root, plant into pots once roots develop, and water frequently until established. Then water as needed. See: How to Propagate Rosemary from Cuttings

Fertilizer can be used to give the herbs a boost to help them grow indoors. Feed your herbs with liquid seaweed or to dress with compost in late winter as daylight begins to increase.

If you don’t have a sunny south facing window, use a grow light or fluorescent light to supplement lighting: Build Your Own Grow Light System.

Herb Garden Starter Kits:

It’s easy to begin growing your own herbs with these herb garden starter kits. The herb garden kits make great gifts too.





I hope I have provided you with some tools to succeed in your attempt to grow herbs indoors over winter. The most important tip is to select herbs that can withstand low light of the winter sun and temperature fluctuations that they may experience on a kitchen windowsill.

This article was originally published on September 30, 2014. It has been updated with additional information, photos, and video.

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