Growing herbs indoors keeps fresh flavors within reach year-round. Some adapt well to containers and grow strong with an early indoor start.
Yet, three herbs don’t handle indoor life well. They struggle with transplanting, need more space, or prefer outdoor conditions. Here are 26 herbs that thrive in containers and grow best when started inside.
1. Basil
This herb is a delight in many dishes. Basil, with its sweet aroma, loves a sunny spot inside your home. Start with seeds or small plants indoors to jumpstart growth. A little care in a container can yield a bounty of leaves perfect for pesto or sauces. Water it regularly and pinch off flowers to keep it producing leaves. Enjoy fresh basil in your cooking all year round.
2. Mint
Have a refreshing drink anytime. Mint is a versatile herb that grows well in containers. Start it indoors in rich soil, and watch it spread with enthusiasm. Its fragrant leaves are perfect for teas, salads, or garnishing desserts. Make sure the pot has good drainage, and keep it slightly moist. This herb can quickly become a kitchen staple.
3. Parsley
Perfect for garnishes and more. Parsley is a must-have herb for any kitchen garden. Start seeds indoors to ensure a steady supply. It appreciates a bit of sunlight and regular watering. Whether curly or flat-leafed, the fresh, green flavor of parsley enhances many dishes. Keep harvesting to encourage new growth and enjoy its robust taste.
4. Cilantro
Spice things up with cilantro. This herb, known for its unique flavor, flourishes inside when started early. Plant seeds in well-drained soil and give it plenty of light. Cilantro adds zest to salsas and curries. Harvest leaves frequently to extend its life and avoid flowering. This way, you can keep the flavor coming for longer.
5. Dill
Add flair to your kitchen creations. Dill is a fast-growing herb that loves the indoors. Start it early for a head start. With feathery leaves and a distinct taste, it’s perfect for pickling or flavoring seafood. Dill needs sun and regular watering. Keep trimming to prevent it from bolting and extend its productive life.
6. Chives
Elevate your dishes with ease. Chives are a simple, hardy herb that thrives indoors. Start from seeds or bulbs, and they’ll grow quickly. Their mild onion flavor makes them a favorite for garnishes. Position them where they can soak up the sun, and remember to water them regularly. Snip leaves often to encourage new growth.
7. Thyme
Bring depth to your meals with thyme. This hardy herb enjoys a sunny indoor spot. Start it from seed or cuttings for best results. The small leaves pack a punch in stews and roasts. Keep the soil lightly moist and give it plenty of light. Prune regularly to maintain its shape and encourage lush growth.
8. Oregano
Essential for Italian cuisine. Oregano is a robust herb that does well indoors. Starting it early ensures a healthy, bushy plant. It favors a sunny location and well-draining soil. Known for its strong, aromatic leaves, oregano complements pizza and pasta perfectly. Water moderately and prune to maintain shape and boost growth.
9. Rosemary
Aromatic and flavorful, rosemary adds a Mediterranean touch to any meal. It’s a resilient herb that can thrive indoors if started early. Its needle-like leaves are perfect for roasts and baking. Ensure it gets plenty of light and water when the soil feels dry. Prune regularly to prevent it from becoming woody. Enjoy its invigorating scent in your home.
10. Sage
Add a savory note to your dishes with sage. This herb prefers a sunny indoor spot and well-drained soil. Start it early for a robust plant that won’t disappoint. Its earthy flavor pairs beautifully with poultry and pasta. Water wisely, allowing the soil to dry between watering times. Regular pruning encourages fresh growth and a bushy appearance.
11. Tarragon
Bring a French flair to your cooking. Tarragon is a flavorful herb that thrives when started indoors. Its anise-like taste is ideal for dressings and sauces. Ensure it receives bright light and moderate watering for the best results. Prune back to promote new growth, keeping the herb lush and productive. Experiment with its unique flavor in your recipes.
12. Lemongrass
Add exotic flavor to your dishes with lemongrass. This herb requires a bit of care but rewards with its citrusy stalks. Start with seeds or stalks indoors to establish a strong plant. Make sure it gets plenty of light and water to thrive. Use in teas, soups, and stir-fries for a fresh twist. Keep trimming to encourage new growth.
13. Fennel
Enhance your meals with fennel’s sweet, anise-flavored leaves and seeds. Starting it indoors gives it a head start, ensuring it thrives in containers. Fennel needs sunlight and well-drained soil. Regular watering and pruning help maintain its growth. Use its fronds in salads or as a garnish, and enjoy the added flavor it brings to your dishes.
14. Lavender
Bring calm and color to your home with lavender. Known for its soothing scent, it flourishes in containers when started indoors. Provide it with plenty of sunlight and well-drained soil. Regular pruning encourages bushy growth and abundant blooms. Use its flowers in teas, sachets, or as a decorative touch. Enjoy the serene ambiance it creates.
15. Bay Leaf
Add a subtle depth to your cooking with bay leaves. The bay laurel tree is well-suited to indoor growing when started early. It needs bright light and well-drained soil. The aromatic leaves are perfect for enriching soups and stews. Keep the soil evenly moist and prune occasionally to maintain shape. Enjoy its culinary benefits right from your home.
16. Marjoram
Introduce sweet, piney flavors with marjoram. This herb thrives in indoor containers if started early. It appreciates bright light and moderate watering. Use it fresh or dried to enhance soups, salads, and meats. Regular pruning helps maintain a bushy growth and extends its productivity. Enjoy the mild, sweet aroma it adds to your culinary creations.
17. Summer Savory
Spice up your dishes with summer savory. It’s a fast-growing herb that does well indoors. Start it in containers for a steady supply. Its peppery taste enhances beans, meats, and sauces. Give it plenty of sunlight and keep the soil slightly moist. Prune regularly to encourage bushy growth and ensure a continuous harvest of fresh leaves.
18. Lemon Balm
Brighten your indoor garden with lemon balm. This herb, with its citrusy aroma, thrives in containers. Start it inside with seeds for a delightful home addition. It enjoys sunlight and moderate watering. Use its leaves in teas, desserts, or as a garnish. Regular pruning promotes lush growth and keeps it from becoming leggy. Enjoy its refreshing scent.
19. Chervil
Add a delicate touch to your dishes with chervil. Known for its mild anise flavor, it grows well indoors. Start seeds early in rich, well-drained soil. It prefers indirect sunlight and consistent moisture. Use its leaves to enhance salads, eggs, and fish. Regular harvesting encourages continued growth. Chervil is a gourmet herb that elevates your cooking.
20. Borage
Introduce a touch of color and flavor with borage. This herb, with its edible blue flowers, thrives in indoor containers. Start with seeds for best results. It enjoys plenty of sunlight and moderate watering. Use the leaves and flowers in salads or as a garnish for a cucumber-like taste. Trim regularly to keep it productive and bushy.
21. Sorrel
Add a tangy twist to your meals with sorrel. This herb flourishes in containers with an early indoor start. Its lemony leaves are perfect for soups, sauces, and salads. Sorrel enjoys a sunny spot and regular watering. Prune frequently to encourage new growth and prevent flowering. Its vibrant flavor makes it a unique addition to your culinary palette.
22. Stevia
Sweeten naturally with stevia. This herb, known for its sweet leaves, grows well indoors. Start it from seedlings or cuttings for a steady supply. It enjoys bright light and well-drained soil. Use fresh leaves to sweeten teas or desserts without the calories. Regular pruning helps maintain its shape and encourages new growth. Enjoy a natural sweetness in your kitchen.
23. Anise Hyssop
Add a hint of licorice to your culinary creations with anise hyssop. This herb grows well indoors when started early. Its fragrant leaves and flowers are perfect for teas, salads, and desserts. It enjoys a sunny location and moderate watering. Prune regularly to maintain its shape and promote flowering. Bring a unique flavor to your kitchen.
24. Catnip
Delight your feline friend while enhancing your indoor garden with catnip. This herb thrives in containers when started indoors. Its aromatic leaves are not only a treat for cats but can also be used in teas. It appreciates sunlight and consistent watering. Trim regularly to encourage bushy growth and a steady supply of leaves. Enjoy its dual benefits.
25. Rue
Rue is an intriguing herb known for its strong, spicy aroma and decorative foliage. It thrives in indoor containers, particularly when placed in a sunny spot with well-drained soil.
While Rue is not commonly used in cooking due to its bitter taste, it has historical significance in traditional medicine. Growing Rue indoors is straightforward, as it requires minimal maintenance beyond occasional watering and pruning.
26. Saffron
Cultivate the world’s most precious spice right at home with saffron. This crocus plant thrives indoors when started early in a controlled environment. It requires bright light and well-drained soil. Harvest the vibrant red stigmas from its flowers for a unique flavor in dishes. Regular care ensures a productive plant. Savor the luxury of homegrown saffron.
27. Wasabi
Wasabi, most often associated with sushi, might seem an unlikely candidate for indoor growing. Yet, with its appealing green foliage, it can be a stunning addition to your herb collection.
Wasabi thrives best in a container with good drainage, ensuring that the roots remain healthy. With a bit of care, you can enjoy the fresh, pungent flavor of homegrown wasabi, adding an exotic twist to your culinary creations. A fun challenge for the adventurous gardener!
28. Stinging Nettle
Stinging Nettle is rarely the go-to herb for indoor growing, yet it presents a unique challenge for adventurous gardeners. Famous for its stinging hairs, this herb requires careful handling.
In an indoor container, nettles prefer a well-lit spot with rich, moist soil. They are not the easiest to manage, but the reward is a nutrient-packed herb that can be used in teas or soups.
29. Watercress
Typically an aquatic plant, wartercress isn’t your usual indoor herb contender. However, it can be grown indoors with thoughtful attention to its water needs.
This peppery-flavored herb does best in a shallow dish with water, mimicking its natural environment. It thrives in bright, indirect sunlight.