Herbs are generally easy to care for indoors. They tend to do best on a kitchen windowsill or hanging basket where they can receive plenty of sunshine. Having the herbs you use most growing in your kitchen will keep fresh ingredients close at hand. The addition of herbs in your kitchen adds aesthetic appeal and the wonderful fragrance of your favorite herbs. Another big benefit to growing herbs indoors in areas with cold winters is that you can greatly increase the length of your harvest. To keep your herbs doing well indoors there are some simple guidelines to follow.
First, you need to decide on what herbs you want to grow. Do you want mint, thyme, oregano, parsley, dill or any of the many other herbs that do well in containers? Some plants can share a pot, while others need to be alone due to their tendency to spread and choke out other plants. When you know what you really want to grow then I suggest researching on just what those specific herbs need so you can keep them as healthy and happy as possible.
Typical houseplant care and common sense are also needed in raising herbs, so keep these guidelines for all houseplants in mind. Regardless of the herbs you chose and the pot you want to grow them in, make sure to use quality soil and ensure good drainage for your herbs. As with any other plant good soil, proper drainage and regular watering is necessary for a healthy plant. Occasional fertilization is also valuable, just keep in mind that less is more. So, do not go overboard.
If buying already established herbs, be sure that you pick a healthy plant. Check the leaves for signs of pests and disease. Be warty of spots, yellow leaves and other signs of trouble. It is much easier to grow healthy herbs if the plants start out that way. If starting your herbs from seed then be certain to follow the germination and planting instructions for each particular plant.
Remember to turn the container regularly. This will ensure that all parts of your herbs receive an equal amount of needed sunshine. Aside from simply helping your herbs grow well, this will also keep your growth balanced and healthy. Potted plants tend to grow toward their source of sunlight, so if you do not turn the pot the plant will start to lean or look one sided. A quarter turn every couple of days is enough to keep your herb growing straight and even.
Trim or harvest often. Roots are confined in a small pot in your kitchen rather than in a garden, so growth is restricted. You do not want your poor herb to outgrow its space or get lanky or floppy in their container. To keep the herb, and yourself, happy cut off the tips regularly. This will encourage the herb to branch and in turn grow more compactly.
Regardless of how well you care for your indoor herbs, eventually many will start to fade. Herbs can naturally peter out and need to be replaced. So nurture and enjoy your herbs while they are in their prime.
