8 Herbs to Grow Indoors

By Abbie Overdorf 

At the start of spring, my mom would always plant a little garden outside. She’d mostly grow mint, which she’d use for making mint iced tea all spring and summer long. We were lucky enough to have a small outside space to garden. If you find yourself in an apartment with zero outdoor space to garden, know that a sunny windowsill is all you need to start your own at-home indoor garden. 

Gardening can be fun and relaxing for a lot of people as it gives someone the opportunity to care for something while also watching it flourish. Indoor gardening is a great way to spice up your home decor, fill your home with natural fragrance, or add herbs to your meals. 

There are tons of herbs that you can plant indoors! Here are eight fantastic herbs to grow in your indoor garden. 

Basil 

Basil is a great herb to have as part of your indoor garden, as it pairs well with a lot of meals. Add basil to pizza, blend it into sauces, puree it into soup, or chop it up to add to a salad. Cleveland Clinic reports that this herb may reduce stress, anxiety, and depression. It also can help with enhancing short-term memory and attention, as well as improving mood. To grow basil from the seed, plant it in well-drained soil, as the herb thrives in moist soil, and place it in a spot with sunlight. Be sure to pinch off the leaves of the plant once it grows to six to eight inches tall, as this encourages more leaves to grow. Harvest your basil by cutting off a few stems just above where the two leaves meet. 

Chamomile 

Having chamomile in your garden is an excellent choice, especially if you’re a fan of tea. This herb is great to have as decor around the house, with its white petals surrounding a yellow center, resembling a daisy. According to the National Institutes of Health, chamomile can help with insomnia, acne, and menstrual symptoms. It’s a great herb for digestive health and anxiety. Just like with other herbs, plant it in well-drained soil with sunlight. Be sure to water chamomile regularly and not let it dry out. This herb can be dried to make tea by infusing it into hot water. It can be used to make flavoring syrups and dressings as well as used fresh for salads and desserts. To keep that sweet, earthy aroma in your home, add chamomile to a potpourri blend. 

Lavender 

If you want a low-maintenance indoor plant with outstanding health benefits, lavender is the herb for you. The National Institutes of Health reports that it may help with insomnia and ease pain and inflammation, including headaches. It may also help with anxiety and depression, according to Cleveland Clinic. To grow lavender, make sure you have a breathable container for it as well as sunlight. Lavender survives great in dry conditions and will only need water when the top two inches of soil are dry. Lavender is enjoyable as aromatherapy, as you can make soap, essential oil, potpourri bags for your home, and tea. 

Lemon Balm 

Lemon balm is considered a calming herb. It may reduce stress and anxiety, improve appetite, and can help with sleep, according to the Mount Sinai Health Library. This herb needs good drainage as well as a nice, sunny spot. Keep the herb well watered. To bring some citrusy flavor to your meals, add this herb to soups or salads. Lemon balm can also scent your home naturally when used in potpourri or placed as decor. The herb can also be made into an essential oil. 

Mint 

Mint can be used for many different reasons. There are a few varieties of mint, such as spearmint and peppermint. Spearmint has a subtler, vaguely sweet and lighter flavor, while peppermint has a sharper flavor to it, described almost as spicy. According to the National Institutes of Health, mint may help with indigestion and memory. It also can help reduce stress and anxiety. Rich soil, frequent watering, and sunlight are all the herbs needed to grow. Mint, as a whole, is great for hot or iced tea, candies, and desserts. It’s also a great herb to add to your coffee in the morning if you need a little flavor. 

Parsley 

Parsley is another herb that is great for your everyday meals. It may help with heart health and bone health. Growing parsley indoors requires having it in lightly moistened soil and placing it in a bright spot. A common way to add parsley into your everyday meals is to add it to soups, stews, and sauces. Parsley is often used in Italian-inspired recipes. Mix the finely chopped leaves into salad dressings or sprinkle the fresh or dried leaves onto a seafood dish.  

Rosemary

Rosemary is an herb that grows very well indoors. The growing conditions are the same as basil, meaning you can plant them in the same container. The National Institutes of Health report that adding rosemary to your everyday meals may help enhance memory, concentration, and mood, as well as ease pain and anxiety. Rosemary is an excellent herb to make jelly, lemonade, and hot or iced tea. To make use of rosemary around your house as decor, dry the herb, then separate the leaves from the stem before placing them in jars or tying them together as a bundle. This can also be a perfect gift for someone who loves rosemary. 

Sage 

Sage is a fabulous herb to have in your indoor garden. According to the National Institutes of Health, it may assist brain functions like memory, attention, and problem-solving. It is also great for helping with sore throats and sunburns. Even though sage does not need a lot of sunlight, it is best to place it in a sunny spot to grow easier. Be certain not to overwater the herb. Drink sage tea for a sore throat and apply sage oil for sunburn. To add flavor to a dish, use dried sage and crumble it over food. Sage is a good herb to add to cocktails and teas for that instant flavor. 

Sage is one of those herbs that is fantastic to have to clear any negative energy in your house or to help purify the air. Gather up your sage in a bundle, with other herbs if preferred, and use a cotton string to tie it together at the base before wrapping the string towards the top of the bundle in a crisscross shape. Bring the string down to the base and secure it there. Burn the sage throughout your house, allowing the smoke to waft around. Burning sage is a very common practice, especially when moving into a new place.  

Why Grow Herbs Indoors?

Indoor gardening has a lot of benefits that can boost your health. Many herbs on this list may help with anxiety, depression, stress, and sleep. These herbs are great to have in your home, whether for cooking, baking, making tea, or just allowing their natural scent to fill in the spaces of your home. Having these herbs around your house, apartment, or dorm room can bring your home to life in a new way with their looks or fragrance. Being able to watch an herb flourish is a beautiful thing that can help lift our spirits in a positive way.