There’s nothing quite like a meal made with fresh ingredients. Though it’s not always possible for every meal to be made with fresh ingredients, a sprinkle of a few freshly grown herbs can significantly upgrade the flavor profile of the dish. An indoor herb garden makes adding flavor to your meals as easy as just picking a few leaves off your windowsill garden. If you’re wanting to bring fresh flavor to your table, here are five easy herbs to grow indoors.
1. Basil
A key ingredient for salads, sandwiches, sauces and tomatoes, basil sprouts quickly and can be ready to harvest in as little as 3-4 weeks under the right growing conditions. Basil loves sunshine, so place your indoor planter somewhere when your growing herb can get at least 6 hours of sunshine per day. As the basil plant grows, be sure to prune early and often because the leaves won’t be as flavorful if the plant starts to flower.
2. Cilantro
A staple in many culinary creations and a widely divisive ingredient, cilantro compliments a wide variety of dishes. Sun-loving and fast-growing, cilantro is a fairly forgiving herb to start growing. Place where it can get at least 6 hours of sunlight per day. Use soil that drains well, as too much water can cause root rot.
3. Parsley
Lacy parsley leaves add texture to your home and extra flavor to your meals. Though they may not be the fastest growing herb, they are fairly easy to care for. Place parsley plants in an area with lots of sunlight, as they prefer 5-8 hours of sunlight per day. Space plants apart to allow room for them to grow, and harvest before it has a chance to bloom for the best flavor.
4. Chives
The onion-flavor of chives adds a fresh element to any dish. Easy to grow in lower light settings and temperatures, chives make an excellent herb to grow during the winter months. Use a well-draining potting mix and water when the soil is dry to the touch.
5. Rosemary
With light, subtle flavor rosemary adds flavor without being too overpowering. Perfect for bright and sunny spaces and drought tolerant, the hearty rosemary plant is an excellent addition to indoor herb gardens. Use planters with drainage holes and well-draining soil to avoid overwatering.
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