The best herbs to grow indoors
Herbs are very easy to grow at home, and you will notice a real difference in the taste of fresh herbs.
The most popular herbs used in the UK (According to the Fresh Produce Journal), and the best herbs to grow indoors are below. Click in the name for more details of the herb types, the different varieties & how to grow them
The Top 10 Herbs to grow
- Coriander (Also known as Cilandro)
- Parsley
- Basil
- Mint
- Thyme
- Rosemary
- Dill
- Chives
- Lemon Grass
- Tarragon
Or read on for a more detailed explantion.
The best herbs to grow indoors
If you want to grow herbs indoors then the key is to focus on 3 main items:
- Grow the types of herbs you will use most often
- Ideal select easy to grow herbs
- Add specialised herbs for certain cuisines
Taking these in turn,
1. The types of herbs you will use most often
The best herbs to grow indoors will the the ones you use most often.
However the key is to select the type of herbs used by the top chefs (which are often not the herbs sold in shops)
In addition try to make sure that you grow herbs that have a similar height & growing cycle (so you can plant them together).
In the ‘core’ herb garden we tend to recommend key herbs that taste great and also have a similar height and growing cycle:
Namely
- Sweet or Genovese Basil
- Average Height when grown 60 to 75 cm
- Time from seed to harvest – 50 to 75 days
- Leaf Coriander
- Average height when grown 45 to 60 cm
- Time from seed to harvest – 60 to 75 days
- Spearmint
- Average height when grown 30 to 45 cm
- Time from seed to harvest – 90 days
- French Thyme
- Average height when grown 15 to 40 cm
- Time from seed to harvest – 85 days
- Plain Chives
- Average height when grown 30 cm
- Time from seed to harvest – 60 days
- French Parsley
- Average height when grown 45 cm
- Time from seed to harvest – 70 to 90 days
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2. Easy herbs to grow indoors
The advantage of herbs is that it is very easy for the best herbs to grow indoors if you focus on 3 items:
- Nutrients – The right type & amount of nutrients (including water),
- Light – The right amount of light for your herb type
- Temperature – The best temperature.
Yes, growing herbs in little pots of soil will work.
However the downside is that this depends on lots of sunshine, as well as making sure you provide exactly the right amount of water. (not to much or to little).
By far and way the easiest way to grow herbs indoors is to use an automated hydroponic or aquaponic unit.
Hydroponic & aquaponic systems are very similar. After you have selected the best herbs to grow indoors, you simply grow them with the roots growing in water and not soil. This is the method used by most commercial growers (for example for herbs and other crops like tomatoes and peppers) as it tends to get the best results.
In addition a very major advantage using hydroponic ones to grow the best herbs to grow indoors is that they incorporate the right type of lights to help your plants grow, so you will great results every day of the year.
Kitchen hydroponic kit
Starter Hydroponic Kit
Indoor Hydroponic Drip System
3. Specialised herbs for certain cuisines
The general purpose herbs above are great to grow and will make a real difference to home cooking.
But we find that the best herbs to grow indoors are those not easily available in shops.
If you have a look at our fresh ingredient growing plans you will see we recommend different types of herbs based on the type of cuisine & recipes you most often prepare.
For example:
- For Italian recipes – try italian parsley
- Thai recipes – tulasi or holy basil
- etc.
The key is to add the right type of herbs for your own personal circumstances.
