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The Culinary Herb Garden

A guide to growing and enjoying herbs in the home kitchen garden

10 Culinary Herbs to Grow in the Indoor Herb Garden

Last Updated: January 14, 2022 By Virginia

Want to grow a few culinary herbs in your kitchen? The following 10 culinary herbs can all be grown successfully indoors.

small herbs on counter in terracotta pots - title Which Herbs are Best Indoors?

Use our list to choose the best compact or dwarf variety of each, so you can maximize the harvest from your indoor herb garden.

Table of Contents

  • 1. Basil
  • 2. Chives
  • 3. Cilantro
  • 4. Dill
  • 5. Mint
  • 6. Oregano
  • 7. Parsley
  • 8. Rosemary
  • 9. Sage
  • 10. Thyme
  • More Indoor Herb Garden Varieties

1. Basil

Basil is a favorite culinary herb of many chefs.

Basil likes full sun & warmth, so give basil the sunniest spot in your kitchen herb garden, preferably at 75 degrees.

Basil Plant

Basil is a tender annual herb, so take care not to set it next to windows or areas that are too cold or drafty. Basil will do well in a south-facing window.

Culinary Uses

Basil is quite famous for its role in making the classic pesto sauce. It is also great with tomato-based dishes, vegetables & cheeses.

Indoor Basil Varieties

A good variety to grow indoors is Greek Miniature Basil. This is a compact mounding variety that will grow just 6 inches high. It can be used in the same recipes as Sweet Basil. Spicy Globe Basil is another dwarf variety with a good flavor growing to just 10 inches tall.

The larger basil varieties can be grown in the indoor herb garden without much trouble. They won’t reach their full height indoors unless you have a huge pot & supplemental light sources, so you don’t have to worry about it taking over your home.

Sweet Genovese Basil is the type used in pesto.  Lemon Basil is another popular choice.

Learn more about basil on our herb information pages.

Shop Basil Seeds at Botanical Interests

Tips for Growing Basil Indoors

Basil is very easy to start from seed. If enough light is given, you can start harvesting in as early as six weeks! Be sure to start multiple plants if you want to have enough for recipes. You can group a few plants in a single larger pot when growing basil indoors to save space.

Basil needs constant pruning to stay bushy. When pruning or harvesting your basil, snip off full branches by cutting the stem just above a leaf node. The plant will form two new leaves on either side of the cut where the leaves meet the stem.

When growing from seed, begin harvesting your basil when it has three sets of true leaves. Remove the top 2 sets, always leaving at least 1 set of true leaves on each stem. For step-by-step instructions – see our article on starting basil from seed indoors.

2. Chives

Chives is a perennial herb that is a member of the onion family.

Chives grow in clumps of hollow stems which should be divided every 3 years.

The fresh taste of chives and compact growth habit makes it a great culinary herb to add to your indoor garden.

Chives Blooming in Garden

Culinary Uses

Chives are best used fresh so you can appreciate their crunchy texture. They are a great addition to soups, omelets, soft cheeses, and of course used as a topping on baked potatoes.

Indoor Varieties

You can grow any variety of Garden Chives indoors. Garlic or Onion chives are two popular choices.

Tips to Growing Chives Indoors

Chives will grow in full sun or partial shade so it can be grown in a south or east-facing window. Chives prefer moister soil than most herbs.

Chives can be grown from seed indoors, but they won’t be ready for a good harvest for about 90 days. You can also divide a plant from outdoors & bring it inside for the winter.

Harvest chives by clipping close to the base of the plant (about 2 inches high), a little bit at a time. This will encourage new growth.

Learn more about Chives on our herb information pages.

3. Cilantro

Fresh Cilantro has a very distinctive taste that most people either love or hate.

It is highly aromatic and has a peppery zing which makes it popular in many spicy recipes.

cillantro growing in pot

Culinary Uses

Cilantro adds a zesty flavor to salsas, sauces, and stir-fried dishes. Cilantro is widely used in Mediterranean, Asian & Mexican cuisine.

Indoor Varieties

Most varieties of cilantro are suitable for indoor growing. In particular, Calypso Cilantrois grows about 12-18 inches tall. Santo is another recommended variety. Both are slow to bolt so will provide a longer harvest before setting seed.

Tips for Growing Cilantro Indoors

Cilantro grows best in full sun or light shade so it will do well in a south or east-facing window.

You can start harvesting cilantro grown from seed in about 3-4 weeks. Cilantro benefits from an early harvest to promote bushier plants.

4. Dill

Dill is sometimes referred to as Dill weed to distinguish it from dill seeds that are used in pickling.

Dill has light feathery leaves that branch out to create small fans.

Dill blooming in garden

Culinary Uses

Dill combines well with mustard or creamy sauces. Fresh leaves can be used in soft cheeses, sauces, and salads or combined with a little lemon & butter on fish or potatoes

Indoor Varieties

Fern Leaf Dill is a dwarf plant that grows to just 18 inches high which makes it an excellent indoor herb variety.

Tips for Growing Dill Indoors

Dill will grow in full sun or partial shade so it can be placed on a South or Southwestern window. Dill is very easy to grow from seed & does well indoors. Shop for Dill Seeds

If you are growing dill from seed, plant it in small bunches in a larger pot – 3 seedlings fit nicely in an 8 inches wide pot. This makes for a nice full indoor plant & gives you plenty to harvest. Start harvesting your dill once it has 5 true leaves.

Learn more about Dill on our herb information pages.

5. Mint

Mint is a great herb to grow indoors.

It spreads quickly by rhizomes underground, so it should always be kept in a separate pot, so it won’t crowd out any other herbs.

Mint growing in Garden

Culinary Uses

Mint is an excellent choice for adding to beverages like tea or hot chocolate. It is also useful in making deserts & of course most famous for lamb with mint sauce.

Indoor Varieties

Spearmint is used most commonly in the kitchen for cooking. It has a very clean minty flavor. Peppermint & Chocolate Mint are two other favorites that can be used as indoor herbs.

Tips for Growing Mint Indoors

Mint prefers morning sun/partial shade. Place in an east-facing window if possible.

Mint also prefers a moister soil, so plan on watering it more frequently than most other herbs & give it a little spritz now & then. The easiest way to add mint to your indoor garden is to purchase mint starter plants rather than grow it from seed.

The easiest way to add mint to your indoor garden is to purchase mint starter plants like the one shown to the right, rather than grow it from seed.

Learn more about mint on our herb information pages.

6. Oregano

Oregano is a great herb to grow indoors.

It has a bushy habit with slightly hairy grayish-green oval-shaped leaves.

Oregano growing in garden

Culinary Uses

Oregano is a favorite culinary herb that is frequently used in both Italian & Greek cuisine. It combines well with lemon and garlic or tomato-based dishes.

Indoor Varieties

Greek Oregano is a compact variety that is excellent for culinary uses and is only 8-12 inches tall.

Tips for Growing Oregano Indoors

Oregano likes full sun, so find a spot in your southern window for the best growth and flavor. Oregano is a short-lived perennial and should be replaced every two years. You can grow Oregano from starter plants or seeds – starter plants are of course much quicker!

Learn more about Oregano on our herb information pages.

7. Parsley

Parsley is another great herb to grow indoors.

Give parsley a taller pot than most since it has a very long taproot.

Parsley is one of the 3 culinary herbs in the classic Bouquet Garni which is a bundle of parsley, thyme, and bay leaves.

Fresh parsley

Culinary Uses

With its clean, fresh taste, parsley is a favorite herb in almost all types of cuisine. The leaves of parsley are used in most recipes. You can also save the stems & use them to flavor stocks.

Indoor Varieties

Flat Leaf parsley has the best flavor and is used in most recipes.

Curly parsley should also be grown to be used as a garnish or in the occasional salad. The flavor is still quite nice, just milder than the flat-leaf variety. You can grow both, but give the flat-leaf parsley the bigger pot!

Tips for Growing Parsley Indoors

Parsley will grow well in a South or East-Facing Window. It tolerates cooler temperatures & a little more moisture than most. Clip the parsley from the outside at the base of the plant; the new growth will come from the center of the plant.

Parsley is rather easy to start from seed but can be slow to germinate. On average it will take between 14-21 days for sprouts to emerge. If you soak the seeds overnight, they will sprout much faster. We use this trick & have much success in our own indoor garden.

Learn more about Parsley on our herb information pages.

8. Rosemary

Rosemary has a strong, warm taste with hints of evergreen.

It is a very fragrant herb that is a wonderful addition to the culinary herb garden.

Just don’t use too much or you could overpower the other more delicate herbs.

Rosemary Sprigs

Culinary Uses

Rosemary is an excellent herb to use when roasting. It is equally nice with vegetables and meats. The leaves are finely chopped when added to most recipes, or whole sprigs can be used during cooking to impart their flavor then removed just before serving.

Indoor Varieties

Blue Boy Rosemary is a compact variety that does well as an indoor herb. It reaches just 24 inches high and has a nice flavor.

Tips for Growing Rosemary Indoors

Rosemary is a Mediterranean herb & prefers full sun, but a slightly cooler location. It should also be kept on the drier side, but never be allowed to dry out fully. We recommend purchasing new plants when adding Rosemary to your chef’s garden.

Learn more about Rosemary on our herb information pages.

9. Sage

Sage is part of the Salvia family.

They are hundreds of species of salvia that are grown in the ornamental garden, but just a few are used in cooking.

Sage growing in garden

Culinary Uses

One of the most classic uses of sage is in brown butter sauce. It also pairs well with heavier meat and game, cheeses, stuffing, and bread.

Indoor Varieties

Dwarf Garden Sage (Sage Officinalis Minimum) is a good choice for growing indoors. It has a compact habit and will grow to about 10 inches high.

Tips for Growing Sage Indoors

Sage prefers full strong sun, so it will do best in a south-facing window. Sage is another short-lived perennial so it will need to be replaced every few years.

10. Thyme

Thyme is a classic culinary herb that is a must-have in the indoor kitchen herb garden.

It is a low-growing, well branching plant that does equally well in pots or the garden.

Thyme growing in garden

Culinary Uses

It is added to slow-cooked soups & stews, then removed before serving. Thyme goes nicely with meat, poultry, fish, and vegetables. It is extremely versatile becoming one of the most commonly used herbs in many kitchens.

Indoor Varieties

Thyme is by its nature is a compact growing herb, so almost any variety can be successfully grown indoors. English thyme & Lemon Thyme are two common varieties that are grown indoors.

Tips for Growing Thyme Indoors

Thyme is very easy to grow from seed and one of our favorites since it is easy to care for & so versatile in the kitchen.

You can grow thyme in Group small bunches of thyme together in one pot for a nice full effect. Five or more seedlings can be kept in an eight-inch pot.

Shop Container Herbs at Botanical Interests

More Indoor Herb Garden Varieties

All of the herbs listed above will grow well in the indoor herb garden.  If you still need more suggestions look for the following keywords or characteristics when shopping in the catalogs or garden centers:

  • Compact or Dwarf varieties
  • Herbs that grow well in semi-shade
  • Cool weather herbs (these generally require less light)

Once you have selected your favorite herbs, be sure to check out our article on 10 Tips For A Successful Indoor Herb Garden for more detailed information on how to set up your indoor garden and care for your herbs.

Happy Growing!

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