Herbs As Houseplants
Weatherbee recommends the following ten herbs for growing indoors: Basil, Bay, Chives, Lemon Verbena, Oregano, Parsley, Rosemary, Sage, Scented Geranium and Thyme. I would also add Aloe Vera, Ginger, Winter or Summer Savory, Lavender, Coriander, Mustard, Sweet Marjoram, Arugula, and most Mints, especially Spearmint. Some peppers grow well indoors as well. While they are more difficult to try inside, if you have the perfect spot or a gifted green thumb you may want to try Dill, Caraway or Chervil. While these last three can be grown indoors, they are difficult and prefer more natural conditions.
The best spot for growing herbs indoors is one that maintains a temperature of 55-70 degrees, or around 65-70 during the day and no lower than 50 at night. While we may be tempted to place herbs on the windowsill to take advantage of every last spot of winter light, your windowsill may be too cold for herbs, which generally prefer warmer climates. For the most part, you do want a sunny spot however, or a spot you can enhance with grow lights or a fluorescent bulb. This will also help plants that tend to be leggy indoors. Your herbs will need lots of air circulation. Dry, stagnant air - exactly the kind most of us live in with central heat or even electric furnaces - will find your herbs complaining, "There's a fungus among us." You'll also want to be sure you're planters are well drained, for the same reason.
As with all plants grown in containers, the soil needs to be a bit richer as well to maintain a healthy plant over time. Rodale's Illustrated Encyclopedia of Herbs recommends several growing mixes and potting soils for most herbs grown indoors:
- 2 parts compost, 1 part vermiculite and 1 part perlite; or
- 1 part sand, 1 part peat moss; or
- 1 part compost, 1 part sand and 1 part perlite; or
- 7 parts loam, 3 parts peat moss and 2 parts coarse sand; or
- 1 part potting soil, 1 part sand, and 1 part peat moss
While you can start some from seed, it's much easier to grow transplants indoors, starting either from cuttings from the outdoor herb garden. Pick out a few of your favorites and take your cuttings after the Fall harvest but before the first frost, or transplant the entire plant. This also ensures that the plant will continue indoors even
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