4 Easiest Herbs To Grow Indoors

Ready to start your own indoor herb garden but not sure where to begin? In this post, I’m sharing my favorite beginner tips and introducing the easiest herbs to grow indoors.

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Easiest Herbs to Grow Indoors for Beginners 

Are you an herb lover like me? Fresh or dried, herbs add so much flavor and can take an ordinary dish to the next level. And when you grow them indoors, they not only taste great, they also look beautiful and bring a lovely, earthy fragrance to your kitchen.

While it might seem intimidating to grow your own herbs, it’s actually much easier than you’d expect. Even if you don’t have a garden or a lot of space, you can still grow herbs indoors with just a few supplies and a sunny spot.

In this post, I’ll walk you through how to start your own indoor herb garden and share my top picks for the easiest herbs to grow indoors for beginners.

Why Grow Herbs Indoors?

Whether you want to add fresh flavor to your meals or love the idea of a kitchen windowsill full of greenery, growing herbs indoors is a fun and rewarding project. It’s also incredibly practical. Starting with a few herbs that grow well indoors means you’ll always have your favorites hand. No last-minute trips to the store or half-used bundles going to waste in the fridge!

Growing herbs indoors is perfect for anyone who:

• Wants to garden but doesn’t have outdoor space
• Loves cooking with fresh ingredients
• Enjoys natural decor with a purpose
• Wants to save money over time on store-bought herbs

Plus, caring for herbs can be relaxing and therapeutic. There’s something so satisfying about snipping a few sprigs of rosemary or basil that you grew yourself and adding them straight to a pot on the stove.

What You Need to Start an Indoor Herb Garden

Before we talk about the easiest herbs to grow indoors, let’s talk about some of the supplies you will need and other things you want to consider.

Best Potting Soil for Herbs

First, you will need quality, well-draining potting soil. If you’re growing from seed, a seed-starting mix can give your herbs the best start. Some of the easiest herbs to grow indoors from seed include basil and thyme, so having the right soil makes a difference.

Choosing the Right Pots

You will also need pots to grow your herbs. Each type of herb should be grown in its own individual container.

Many different types of pots will work well for growing herbs indoors. While terra cotta pots work great, you may prefer a different look for your kitchen. You can also use plastic, wood, metal, or ceramic pots. Ensure proper drainage holes (just poke a few holes in the bottom if needed) and use a drip plate.

Individual pots should be at least 4-inches wide to keep plants happy. Even better, choose a 6- or 8-inch pot if you have the space.

How Much Light do Herbs Need?

Choosing the right spot indoors for your herbs to live is essential to help them grow well. Most indoor her plants need at least 4 hours and as many as 8 hours of sunlight per day.

If you can, place your indoor herb garden near a sunny window. A south-facing window is ideal, but other well-exposed windows can also provide enough sun. If needed, you can also make or buy a grow light to help make sure they get enough light.

Growing Herbs from Seed vs. Transplant

You can grow herbs inside either from seed or by buying young transplants., so after you have your supplies, you’ll need to decide which method you want to try. There are pros and cons to each.

Starting from Seed

Growing from seed is cheaper, as a packet of seeds yields many plants, often for just a few dollars. You can also find a wider variety of herbs as seeds if there is a particular type you are looking for. However, there is a more extended waiting period when growing from seed, so a little more patience is needed.

Using Transplants

When buying an herb plant from a garden center or farmer’s market, the plant is often established and ready to start harvesting immediately. You may have more difficulty finding less popular varieties, and the cost per plant will be more than if growing from seed. If the plant has been living outside, you will need to gradually transition them inside to get them used to their new environment in your home.

This decision also depends on the herb you want to grow. For instance, perennial herbs ( plants that come back the next year) are easiest to grow from young transplants, while others do best started from seed and replanted throughout the year.

4 of the Easiest Herbs to Grow Inside

Now that you know what supplies are needed to start an indoor herb garden let’s talk about different herbs. Some herbs are more accessible to grow indoors than others. The four best herbs to grow indoors year round are are basil, oregano, rosemary, and thyme.

I’m going to share some basic information about the four best herbs for growing indoors, including tips for growing and typical uses.

Basil

Basil is one of the most popular herb. plants. It has a delicious aroma and is used in many cuisines worldwide.

To grow basil indoors, choose a smaller globe-type variety and use a larger pot to promote healthy growth. Basil loves heat and bright light. While easy to grow from seed, basil plants have a short life span.

For a steady supply of fresh basil, plant a new batch of seeds every few weeks. Basil should be watered once or twice a week, and flowers should be pinched back if they appear.

Basil has a sweet and savory taste that pairs very well with tomatoes. Add to sauces, salads, sandwiches, and pizzas. A popular use for fresh basil is to make your nome made pesto.

I also love to grow basil outdoors in my vertical herb garden created on a vintage door.

Oregano

Oregano is a hardy and drought-tolerant herb, which makes it very easy to care for and grow indoors. However, it should only be watered when the soil dries out and should be trimmed frequently to keep it tidy.

Fresh oregano leaves have a beautiful aroma and a mild flavor. To use, strip the leaves from a snipped stem. Adding fresh oregano at the end of cooking is best to retain its flavor. Like many other herbs, oregano is more flavorful when dried. Use oregano to flavor soups and stews, tomato sauce, and meats.

Rosemary

Rosemary is a fragrant herb with a rich, piney flavor that grows very well indoors. It is sturdy a study shrub with needled leaves.

Rosemary works well to flavor meats like chicken, lamb, and pork, as well as starchy vegetables like potatoes and winter squash. To use, strip the leaves from the stems and finely chop, or add a whole sprig to soups or sauces to infuse with flavor.

Rosemary is also one of the top medicinal herbs to grow indoors thanks to its natural antimicrobial properties.

Rosemary can also be used for holiday decorations and beautiful wreaths.

This herb prefers to remain on the dry side and should only be watered about once every week. It typically requires full sun but can also tolerate less sun in the winter and still thrive.

Thyme

Thyme is a versatile, fresh-tasting herb that is one of the easiest herbs to grow indoors. There are many varieties to try including lemon thyme for a citrusy twist. And as one of the best smelling herbs to grow indoors, it adds beauty and fragrance to your home.

When growing thyme indoors, allow it to dry out between waterings and regularly trim to keep it neat and encourage new growth. Thyme makes a beautiful house plant with its trailing stems and petite leaves.

I also like to take my plants outdoors every few days to get fresh air and a little sunshine.

Other Tips for Growing Herbs Indoors

Watering

Check the moisture level by sticking your finger in the soil for about one inch. Or, if you prefer, you can also you a soil moisture meter. Keep the soil moist, but do not overwater. If the plant becomes too wet, the roots will rot.

Harvesting

Besides being some of the easiest herbs to grow indoors, basil, oregano, rosemary, and thyme are also surprisingly easy to harvest. Knowing when and how to harvest your herbs is just as important as learning how to grow them.

Before you start snipping, make sure your plants are well established and have plenty of healthy growth. As a general rule, only take about one-third of the plant at a time—this helps prevent stress and encourages continual, healthy growth.h.

Use clean, sharp scissors, herb snips, or small garden shears depending on the type of herb. Harvesting with the right tools helps prevent damage and supports healthy regrowth.

Here are a few other general tips for each of the 4 herb varieties.

How to Harvest Basil

Basil is tender and leafy, making it easy to harvest with your fingers or herb scissors. To keep the plant full and thriving, snip stems just above a pair of leaves or a node where new leaves are forming. This will encourage branching and help the plant grow bushier over time.

Tool tip: Use herb scissors or kitchen shears for a clean cut. Pinch off flower buds when they appear to keep the leaves tasting sweet.

How often to harvest: You can harvest basil frequently, every week or so during the growing season, as long as you leave enough foliage behind.

How to Harvest Oregano

Oregano has woody stems and small, fragrant leaves. Wait until the plant is at least 4–6 inches tall. Use clean scissors to cut sprigs just above a leaf node, taking no more than a third of the plant at a time.

Tool tip: Use small, sharp kitchen scissors or pruning snips for precision. You can strip the leaves from the stem after harvesting.

How often to harvest: Once established, oregano can be harvested every few weeks. Frequent trimming helps maintain a tidy, productive plant.

How to Harvest Rosemary

Rosemary is a woody herb with tough stems and needle-like leaves. Wait until your plant is at least 6–8 inches tall, then use pruning shears to cut sprigs from the top, just above a leaf joint. This will encourage the plant to branch out and become bushier.

Tool tip: Use garden snips or small pruning shears to avoid tearing the woody stems.

How often to harvest: Rosemary can be harvested as needed, but allow it time to rest and regrow, especially if grown indoors with limited light.

How to Harvest Thyme

Thyme is a low-growing herb with small leaves and slender stems. Use scissors to trim the top few inches of growth, cutting just above a node. This encourages the plant to grow outward and stay full.

Tool tip: Herb scissors or needle-nose pruners work well for thyme’s delicate stems.

How often to harvest: Lightly harvest thyme every couple of weeks once it’s mature. Frequent trimming keeps it neat and encourages new growth.

Storing

Once you’ve harvested your indoor herbs, proper storage will help you get the most out of your efforts. While each herb is a little different, here are some simple tips for keeping basil, oregano, rosemary, and thyme fresh for as long as possible.

Basil

Basil is sensitive to cold and stores best at room temperature. Place the stems upright in a glass of water, like a small bouquet, and loosely cover them with a plastic bag. Keep the glass on your kitchen counter out of direct sunlight, and change the water daily to help the basil stay fresh for several days.

Oregano, rosemary, and thyme

These three herbs are hardier and tolerate refrigeration well. You can store them bouquet-style in a glass of water in the fridge, or wrap the sprigs in a dry paper towel and place them in a resealable plastic bag in your crisper drawer. Either method will keep them usable for about a week.

Drying

For herbs that grow well indoors like basil, rosemary, thyme, and oregano, you may find yourself with more than you can use fresh. In that case, consider preserving them by drying or freezing for later. It’s a simple way to extend their shelf life and enjoy homegrown flavor all year long. You can learn more about this process and different techniques from The Spruce Eats.

Freezing

If you find yourself with more herbs than you can use right away, freezing is a great way to preserve their flavor. Simply chop the herbs and place them in an ice cube tray with a bit of olive oil or water.

Once frozen, transfer the cubes to a freezer-safe container and use them as needed in soups, sauces, and sautés. Rosemary and thyme can also be frozen whole. Just place the sprigs in a freezer bag and store for later use.

How to Use Your Fresh Herbs

Once you’ve harvested your homegrown herbs, it’s time to enjoy the rewards. One of the best things about herbs that grow well indoors is how many ways you can use them both in the kitchen and beyond!

1. Cooking and Meal Prep

Fresh herbs can completely transform your meals. You can add chopped basil to pasta, salads, or sandwiches. And you can sprinkle fresh oregano over pizza or into tomato sauces.

Roast chicken with rosemary sprigs, stir thyme into soups and sautés, or try my layered potato bake recipe that’s full of flavor thanks to fresh rosemary.

Herbs also make beautiful finishing touches! Use a few fresh leaves or sprigs as garnishes for dishes, charcuterie boards, or even cocktails for a polished presentation.

2. Infused Oils and Vinegars

Make your own infused oils or vinegars by adding herbs like rosemary or thyme to a bottle of olive oil or vinegar. Let it steep for a few weeks to develop flavor. These are great to cook with or perfect as homemade gifts.

3. Herbal Teas

Certain herbs, like rosemary and thyme, make calming herbal teas. Just steep a few fresh sprigs in hot water for 5 to 10 minutes. You can also combine herbs with lemon or honey for extra flavor and soothing benefits.

4. Natural Home Fragrance

Simmer herbs on the stove with dehydrated citrus peels and a splash of vanilla to make your home smell warm and inviting.

Dried herbs can also be used in wax sachets or potpourri to keep drawers and closets fresh.

5. DIY Crafts and Home Projects

Herbs aren’t just for the kitchen, they’re beautiful in DIY projects, too. Try making simple wreaths, herbal bundles for drying, or small decorative bouquets to tuck into napkin rings or place settings.

You can even press herb sprigs for use in homemade cards or botanical art.

Start Your Indoor Herb Garden Today

Growing herbs indoors is such a simple and satisfying way to bring fresh flavor and greenery into your home. Whether you’re adding basil to your pasta, snipping rosemary for roasted potatoes, or just enjoying the scent of thyme on your windowsill, these are the perfect herbs to grow indoors in winter or anytime of year.

With just a few supplies and a sunny spot, you can start your own indoor herb garden and enjoy the beauty and benefits all year long. I hope this guide has inspired you to give it a try. Your kitchen (and your cooking) will thank you!

From cooking to decorating to wellness, your indoor herb garden will bring beauty and joy to your daily routine. If you’ve already started, let me know which herbs you grow indoors. I’d love to hear which ones are your favorites. And if you’re just getting started, let me know how it goes!

Happy planting!

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