The herbs grow best indoors are basil, mint, parsley, chives, and cilantro. You will find these five make big harvests in countertop systems. They also forgive the small mistakes you make while learning how to grow herbs at home.
I grew twelve herb types in my AeroGarden over two years. Basil and mint made so much that I gave bags to my neighbors each week. Parsley and chives kept going for months without slowing down at all. Rosemary lived but grew so slow I got frustrated waiting for it. Cilantro went to seed fast in summer but did great in cooler months when I turned down my heat.
Rosemary and thyme come from rocky, dry places with strong sun. You need to let their roots dry out between drinks. They struggle when roots stay wet all the time like they do in most hydro systems. Basil and mint come from wetter spots and love having their roots in water around the clock.
The University of Maryland says bay, rosemary, and thyme need direct light to do well inside. Chives and cilantro can handle darker spots in your home. They grow fine where sun-loving herbs would stretch and look weak. Pick your indoor herb varieties based on how much light your space gets.
The best herbs hydroponic systems grow share a few traits you should know about. They like steady moisture around their roots. They handle the warm temps most homes stay at year round. They make enough leaves for you to cut without hurting the plant. Basil checks every box which is why it comes in most starter kits you buy.
Pick your herbs based on what you cook most often. Growing rosemary when you eat mostly Asian food wastes your space and time. Cilantro and Thai basil fit those dishes much better for your meals. Italian dishes work best with sweet basil, oregano, and parsley in the mix.
You should start with two or three proven winners for your first grow cycle. Add one test herb after you feel good about your system and routine. This way you learn without risking a total crop loss from picking all hard herbs at once. I made that mistake my first year and wished I had started simpler with easier types.
Read the full article: 7 Best Indoor Herb Gardens for Your Kitchen
