Have an all-year supply of fresh herbs by growing them indoors. Apart from the culinary purposes, growing herbs indoors will enhance your indoor space by creating a lush, greenery environment, with sweet fragrances. Growing herbs indoors is easy.
Below is a guide on how to grow herbs indoors
Select the Appropriate Plants
Several types of herbs will thrive indoors. Some of these include:
1. Basil
Basil is one of the easiest herbs to grow. As long as the plant is receiving adequate sunlight and enough water, you will not have problems growing it. You can grow basil from seed or cuttings. Use well-drained soil and add organic fertilizer for maximum yields. Place the plants near a window. If this is not achievable, grow them under grow lights and turn them on for at least 14 hours daily.
2. Rosemary
Rosemary will also require exposure to the sun. You can grow it under fluorescent light if you cannot place it near a window. Rosemary is easily prone to powdery mildew. To protect it, blow your plants using a fan to promote air circulation.
3. Thyme
Use a mixture of potting soil and peat moss to grow thyme indoors. Only add more water when the soil feels dry. Thyme will require at least 4 hours of sunlight exposure every day. Add organic fertilizer to your plants every month to promote excellent growth.
4. Oregano
Just like several other herbs, oregano will greatly benefit from adequate exposure to the sun. Still, you can use artificial lighting. The herb will also benefit from some dry conditions between watering periods. Add liquid fertilizer to the soil to promote better growth. You can choose to grow oregano from either seeds or leaf cuttings. Many people are familiar with the dried oregano available in food stores. Fresh oregano is also as good.
Plant Them in the Correct Pots
With several types of containers available out there, you can choose a container of any material, as long as it is spacious enough and has drainage holes. Herbs will die if grown in stagnant water. That is why drainage holes should be the first thing you should check when purchasing growing containers. You can also buy containers without the holes and then dig them manually. You will also need an underneath saucer that will hold the water which gets out from the drainage holes. If you do not put a saucer under your pots, your surfaces might get damaged by the water.
5 Best-Selling Plant Containers
Some of the other things you should consider when buying growing containers include:
1. Size
Different herbs grow to different sizes. Some like basil are deep-rooted and will require deeper containers. A medium-sized container is more appropriate. A very small one will require you to water the plants frequently, and you will have to repot the plants when they outgrow it. A very large container will make it challenging for the soil to absorb water uniformly.
2. Design
Since you are growing your plants indoors, you might want them to be aesthetically appealing. Choose various designs according to your taste and preference.
3. Place Them in an Ideal Location
Most herbs will require at least 6 hours of sunlight to thrive. If possible, place your pots near a south-facing window. Herbs that receive ample sunlight will have a better flavor than those that do not receive adequate sunlight.
Still, you can provide artificial lighting for your plants. Purchase grow lights from reliable dealers and place them above your garden.
4. Water The Plants Appropriately
Always ensure that the soil is moist. It should never run dry for long periods or get waterlogged, to avoid damaging your plants. Come up with a regular schedule for watering your plants. If you have problems in determining when you should water them, get a soil moisture meter that you will be used to check the level of moisture in your soil. This will guide you on when to water your plants, and avoid over/under-watering.
Can An Indoor Herb Garden Be Affected By Pests?
Having an indoor herb garden is meant to add more convenience by supplying you with fresh herbs. Some herbs produce fragrances that deter pests from getting into the indoor space. However, some plants may still get affected by pests. Aphids and whiteflies are some of the pests that may invade your plants.
Tips To Keep Pests Away From Your Herbs
The best way to deal with pests is to prevent their invasion. You can do the following to keep them away:
- Practice proper spacing. Do not overcrowd your plants. Leave enough space between them, such that they do not touch each other. Proper spacing will allow proper air circulation and minimize the possibility of pest invasion. It will also be beneficial if one plant is attacked by pests since they will not spread to others.
- Add fertilizer and water the plant adequately. Weak plants are easily attacked by pests. Ensure your plants are growing properly by watering them efficiently and adding fertilizers.
- Weed your plants. Remove weeds from your plants frequently. Weeds can attract pests to your herbs if left to grow.
How to Get Rid Of the Pests
It is not advisable to add chemical pesticides on indoor plants. They may pose health risks to the occupants of your house. Still, the number one reason why people grow their food is to avoid chemically grown foods from food stores. There are certain mixtures you can make and spray on your plants to get rid of pests. These include:
1. Garlic Spray
Crush garlic cloves and put them in hot water. You can also add pepper to make the mixture more effective. Put the mixture in a spray bottle and spray the affected plants. You can also use the mixture to repel insects before they land on the plants.
2. Liquid Soap Spray
Soaps have been used to get rid of pests for time immemorial. Add four tablespoons of liquid soap to a gallon of water. Do not use detergents as they do not contain fatty acids that kill insects. They might also kill your plants. You have to dilute the soap properly so that it does not cause damage to the plants. Spray the mixture on the plant foliage and repeat the process until the pests disappear completely.
Growing herbs indoors is easier than many people may think. As long as you do the basic plant care things like proper watering, the addition of fertilizers, and providing artificial lighting where sunlight cannot reach, you will have a supply of fresh herbs all year round.
Frequently Asked Questions
 Harvest your plants when they develop their first true leaves. Harvesting the plants will even encourage them to flourish more.
You can plant different herbs in the same pot, as long as they have similar requirements. Still, be careful not to plant invasive herbs together with others, as they may retard their growth.
Most herbs will grow from cuttings. These include basil, lavender, rosemary, sage, and oregano.
To make your plants develop more foliage, just water them adequately, expose them to enough light, and add fertilizers regularly. Also, protect them from pest invasion.
