The Best Fruits, Herbs, and Vegetables to Grow on a Windowsill

The fragrant shoots of green onions make for a flavorful addition to your favorite dishes. As one of the easiest vegetables to grow, green onions require minimal effort. Simply fill small pots with damp potting soil, plant small bulbs root-end down, and place them in a sunny spot. Keep the bulbs covered and allow the green stems to grow, watering frequently enough to keep the soil moist. Once the onions reach your desired height, just pull them, wash, chop, and enjoy!

Create your own fresh salad with greens you’ve grown yourself. All you need to get started are seeds, a planter with proper drainage, soil, and a bright light source. Be sure to choose small greens like arugula, spinach, or “Tom Thumb” varieties. Fill your planters with soil, sprinkle seeds on the surface, and lightly cover them with more soil. Water carefully to keep the soil evenly moist. In just four to six weeks, some leaves will be ready to harvest. Use sharp scissors to cut the largest leaves, allowing for re-growth and additional harvests.

For some extra spice, consider growing some chiles in your windowsill garden. Though their care is a bit more complex than other vegetables, it’s worthwhile for the heat they bring to a dish. It’s easiest to plant chiles from seedlings, but you can also start them from seeds. Place planted chiles in a sunny area in a container at least 8-10 inches deep. Check the soil every morning to make sure it’s moist—not wet—and fertilize once a week to maintain growth. When the chile plant starts to flower, pollinate with a soft paintbrush. As the chiles grow and change color, you can begin harvesting.

The key to growing carrots is having a deep enough planter for their long roots. Use a planter box at least 12 inches deep and fill it with loose soil to ensure the roots can form properly. Keep the soil consistently moist, as drying out and sudden watering can cause the roots to split. When the carrot crowns start to show, cover them to keep them from becoming bitter. Feel free to harvest as soon as they’re big enough to eat!

The fairly shallow roots of radishes make them easy to grow indoors. Just use a planter with proper drainage filled with an indoor potting mix. Bury seeds about ½ inch under the soil, two inches apart, lightly cover with more potting soil, and gently water. Place the planter in a sunny spot and water regularly on a schedule. You can even extend your harvest by planting additional seeds every few weeks.

Strawberries are a delightful snack and a colorful addition to any windowsill container garden. These plants strongly dislike crowding, so be sure to minimize the number of seedlings. The temperature will dictate the amount of fruit they bear, but to support healthy growth, keep the soil moist and use a planter with adequate drainage to prevent overwatering.

Blueberries aren’t necessarily the easiest to grow indoors, but with the right conditions, they can thrive. Typically, blueberries grow on fairly large bushes. However, there are select dwarf varieties that only grow to limited heights. For example, the “Top Hat” variety only reaches about 20 inches in height and approximately 24 inches in width. Access to plenty of sunlight, acidic soil, and adequate water are key to getting blueberries to flourish.

Use fresh basil with salads, sandwiches, and pasta for a flavorful punch. Sensitive to the cold, it’s essential to keep this plant in warmer conditions. Use potting soil with a neutral pH, and water when the soil is dry to the touch. Frequently harvest to keep your basil plant producing longer. If the plant starts to flower, it won’t grow as flavorful leaves.

A few sprigs of rosemary are a great addition to casseroles, salads, soups, and bread, enhancing the flavor of your dishes. Full sun and well-draining soil are key to helping rosemary thrive. It’s important to water regularly but allow the soil to dry out in between. With its hardy nature, rosemary is an excellent choice for windowsill gardening.

One of the easiest herbs to grow, thyme doesn’t require constant watering or attention. Simply plant it in well-draining soil, provide plenty of light, and water thoroughly when the soil is completely dry. You may want to consider companion planting thyme and rosemary together, as they have similar care needs.

A flavorful addition, fresh oregano can elevate pizza night to new heights. This low-maintenance herb prefers full sun and doesn’t require constant watering. Plant oregano in light, airy soil and allow the dirt to dry between waterings. Its easy care and robust flavor make oregano a perfect choice.

Love it or hate it, cilantro is a fast-growing addition to your windowsill garden. To grow it, fill an 8-10 inch deep planter with moistened potting soil and shallowly sow the seeds. Keep the soil evenly watered as the plants grow. Harvest the leaves when the plants are a few inches tall to prevent them from flowering and losing flavor.

A versatile addition to nearly any cuisine, parsley adds bright flavor to your cooking. Although it can be a bit slower to grow, its eventual yield is worth the wait. Plant seeds in moist, well-drained soil and water regularly. Parsley is fairly adaptable to drought, so if you miss a watering, it isn’t too big of a deal. Harvest the leaves—and stems, if you like— when ready.