Which herbs grow best in indoor garden systems?
Written by
Nguyen Minh
Reviewed by
Prof. Martin Thorne, Ph.D.Choosing the perfect herbs will help your indoor garden to thrive. Some varieties adapt better to controlled conditions than they do in an open environment. Select fast-growing culinary herbs that thrive in container conditions. These herbs are hardy plants that grow well for any skill level.
Basil
- Needs 14-16 hours bright light daily
- Prefers warm temperatures around 70°F (21°C)
- Harvest leaves weekly for continuous growth
- Produces abundant foliage in 4 weeks
Mint
- Grows well with just 4-6 hours light
- Thrives in cooler 60-70°F (15-21°C) range
- Prone to spreading needs separate containers
- Flavors intensify with regular harvesting
Chives
- Adapts to various light conditions
- Regrows quickly after cutting
- Survives minor neglect periods
- Produces edible purple flowers
Organize herbs according to their light needs. Keep light-lovers, like basil, in the position nearest to the grow lights. Place shade-tolerant plants, such as mint, farther from the grow lights. Arranging herbs in this way will help all plants receive adequate light without the light-loving plants shading the others.
Harvest strategically for continuous production. Snip basil above leaf nodes. Cut mint one inch above the soil. Never remove over 30% of foliage at once. Regular trimming encourages bushier growth.
Rotate herb selections seasonally. Grow cool-weather cilantro in winter. Plant heat-loving oregano in summer. This approach maintains year-round productivity. Your kitchen always offers fresh flavors.
Read the full article: 7 Best Indoor Herb Gardens for Your Kitchen
