Growing Herbs in Pots

You can grow herbs in pots or containers indoors.  They can also be grown in window boxes or hanging baskets.  Growing herbs in pots is easy, just like they growing them in an outdoor garden.  Indoor herb gardens need the same growing requirements that garden herbs need.

All plants need three main things in order to grow successfully; sunlight, soil and water.  And this includes herbs.

Sunlight is key to growing any type of plant including herbs whether they are grown indoors or in a garden.  To grow herbs in pots and get the best kind of sunlight, herbs grown in a kitchen or any other room should be placed on a window facing south or west.  All types of herbs require a sunny location even if they have different light requirements.  Some home herb growers supplement the light source with “grow lamps” or fluorescent lamps.

Herbs also need a well drained, not too rich soil to grow in.  Add two parts of sterilized potting soil with one part coarse sand or perlite for herbs that are grown in containers.  You will also need about an inch of gravel at the bottom of each pot to ensure that the plant has good drainage.  Herbs grown in pots indoors can also be fertilized with one teaspoon of lime per 5-inch pot to ensure that the soil is good enough for the herbs.

Herbs grown in pots also need water.  Misting the plants and moistening the pebbles will help to keep the herbs within humid conditions.  Since they are being grown in containers they do need to have more water than herbs that are grown in a garden but, you should avoid getting the roots of the herbs drenched or soggy.

The freedom to move the herb as you please is one advantage in growing herbs in pots.  Perennial herbs perform better if they are placed outside during the summer, unlike annual herbs where they can spend most of their time indoors.  To avoid the loss of their foliage however, herbs should be placed indoors before the first frost.

Mint, chives and tarragon are not covered by this rule.  After experiencing their first snow, they go into a rest period to form a firmer and fresher growth.

All herbs can be grown in containers but some herbs do better then others.  Mint can take over the garden if it is not properly contained.

Over all it is fairly easy to grow herbs in pots and maintain an indoor herb garden.  It keeps the herbs handy and within reach anytime you need them for cooking.

You will be able to care for your herbs and ensure a healthy plant with the tips mentioned above.

For optimum health, herbs must be periodically fed and annually repotted.  You will also have to remember to replant annuals each year and move perennials outdoors when needed.  Plus, use your herbs as much as you want, as well as harvest them occasionally.  Pruning plants does encourage new growth.  This is also true for herbs.  Grow herbs in pots, store them, give them away to friends, and most of all, use them in your recipes.