Users Guide to Growing Herbs in Pots

If you are contemplating growing your herbs indoors, you will need a suitable pot or container. Window boxes or hanging baskets are also other places they will thrive. Growing herbs in pots is not any more difficult than growing herbs in an outdoor garden. As you would expect indoor herbs need the same growing requirements that garden herbs need. Click here for more: growing herbs in pots

The three things all plants need are; sunlight water and soil.  Herbs are no different. Whether grown inside or in the garden sunlight is key to growing herbs. You should place herbs grown in a kitchen or other room in a south or west facing window to get the best kind of sunlight. Some herbs have slightly different light requirements but all need a bright and sunny location. Growing herbs for some means supplementing the light with lamps and artificial light.

Herbs also need a well drained, not too rich soil to grow in. It is good practise to add one part of coarse sand two parts of sterilized potting soil to your herbs’ containers. To ensure adequate drainage, place about an inch of sand aat the base of your pots. To sweeten the soil, and give it a ‘flavor’ herbs like, it is a good idea to add a teaspoon of lime to every five inch pot.
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Water is the next important factor to consider. You can spray your herbs with water ‘mist’ if they are in humid climes. This will also moisten the pebbles and help the herbs keep. There is no difference in watering your indoor herbs a opposed those in the garden, but ensure the roots are not soaked. One of the main advantages of growing herbs in a container or pot is the ability to move them.

It is always a good idea to place perennial herbs outside during the warmer months, whereas annuals can quite happily be left inside. Remember though, make sure all your herbs are brought in before the first frost to protect their leaves. This is a rule can often be missed out when considering tarragon, mint and chives. That is because these herbs will become dormant in a light frost leading to a healthier growth afterward. It is possible to grow all herbs in a container but some will thrive more than others. One herb that will need containing is mint as it tends to take over a garden.  

Over all it is fairly easy to maintain an indoor herb garden. It keeps the herbs handy and within reach anytime you need them for cooking. And the tips given above with help you look after your herbs. You should also include periodic light feeding and yearly repotting for optimum health of the herbs. Remember also to move perennials outside in warmer weather and to replant annuals. Plus, use your herbs as much as you want as well as harvest them occasionally. By regularly pruning plants you will stimulate new growth. Herbs are no exception. So dry them, store them and add them to your cooking recipes! Click here for more: Herb Gardening