Growing Herbs in Pots

You can grow herbs in pots or containers indoors.  You can also use window boxes or hanging baskets to plant herbs indoors.  Growing herbs in pots is not any more difficult than growing herbs in an outdoor garden.  Tending outdoor herb gardens is just the same as tending indoor herb gardens.

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, you should place herbs grown in a kitchen or any other room in a south or west facing window to get the best kind of sunlight.  Different types of herbs have different light requirements but, for the most part, all need a sunny location.  Some home herb growers supplement the light source with “grow lamps” or fluorescent lamps.

A well-drained, not too rich soil is what herbs need to grow in.  Herbs that are grown in containers need two parts sterilized potting soil with one part coarse sand or perlite.  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 supplemented with one teaspoon of lime per 5-inch pot to ensure that the soil is good enough for the herbs.

Water is also needed by herbs grown in pots.  Misting the plants and moistening the pebbles will help to keep the herbs within humid conditions.  Herbs grown in containers need more water than those grown in the garden but their roots should not be soaked in water.

The freedom to move the herb is one advantage in growing herbs in pots.  Perennial herbs do 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.

This rule is overlooked when it comes to mint, chives, and tarragon.  These types of herbs will go into a rest period then form firmer and fresher growth after it is introduced to a light frost.

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.

It is 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 can 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.  You can harvest your herbs occasionally and use them as much as you want to.  Pruning plants does encourage new growth.  This is also true for herbs.  So grow herbs in pots, use them in your recipes, store them and give them away to friends.

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