The globe over, gardening is a very common pastime. And with good cause; gardening can be exciting, demanding, and gratifying. But if you’re like most people, you don’t have much space for a garden, let alone enough light. That’s where indoor herb gardens come in.
The benefits of fresh herbs can be enjoyed all through the year without giving up your garden space or enduring the harshest sunlight conditions if you grow them indoors in a well-lit area. In this article, we will demonstrate how to illuminate an indoor herb garden with minimal effort and inexpensive materials. Get started today and start enjoying the benefits of fresh herbs indoors!
What is an indoor herb garden?
You may bring some of the health benefits of herbs into your house by growing them in an indoor herb garden. You can grow plants like these in any bright room of your house, and they’ll quickly become a showpiece. Size, shape, lighting, and plant selection are just few of the factors that should be taken into account while designing an indoor herb garden.
It’s crucial to pick low-light-needing plant kinds when establishing an indoor herb garden. Rosemary, thyme, lavender, and mint all are good choices for indoor herb beds. It also helps to choose plants that can grow well with other plants and without extra lights. Make sure the spot you choose for your home herb garden has a lot of light and air flow.
Types of herbs that can be grown indoors
Herbs of various varieties can be cultivated successfully inside, and many different kinds of lighting systems can be employed. While some herbs need filtered or artificial illumination, others can thrive in full sunlight. To thrive, some plants need soil, while others do better in water or a combination of the two.
Here are some guidelines for growing specific types of herbs indoors:
Herbs that prefer filtered light or artificial lighting can be grown successfully in containers placed on a windowsill. Light levels should be adjusted so that the leaves are fully covered but do not receive direct sunlight. Herbs that need full sun exposure can be grown in baskets placed on windowsills or patios.
Herbs that require soil can be directly inserted into mugs, pots, or planters that have been sprayed with water and potting soil. Depending on the herb, planting times will vary; for instance, it takes rosemary plants roughly six weeks to fully mature. Advice: Sand and perlite are frequently used with potting soil to improve drainage and moisture retention. Many plants like this mixture because it is free of synthetic pesticides and fertilizers.
If you have access to a garden outside, planting herb gardens there is also an option!
How to set up an herb garden
A herb garden is the ideal solution if you’re seeking for a quick way to include fresh herbs in your diet. Find the type of herb garden that works best for you from the numerous available.
An indoor garden that relies primarily on light for illumination is one sort of herb garden. If you have a tiny yard or want to use your herb garden in a constrained space, this sort of garden is ideal.
To set up an indoor herb garden with light, first determine where you want the garden to be located and figure out how much light will reach it. You can install a lamp near the plants or place a window open a few inches and allow sunlight to enter the room.
Once you have determined where the light will come in, take into account where the plants will be located. You can install shelves or tapestries near the windows to hold pots and grow containers or purchase pre-made herb gardens that are designed for this purpose.
To begin planting your herb garden, select plant kinds that will thrive in your environment. Rosemary, sage, thyme, mint, cilantro, lavender, and chives are popular options.
It is time to begin soil preparation once you have chosen your vegetation. Start by picking up some organic matter (a mixture of leaves, soil Amendment such as compost) and crumbling it into the potting soil before adding water.
What herbs can be grown in an indoor herb garden?
The advantages of herbs can be enjoyed year-round by cultivating a small herb garden in a pot or container and placing it on a windowsill. This method is suitable for growing a wide variety of herbs, and the options are virtually unlimited. Here are some common indoor herbs that can be enjoyed
- Basil
- Bay Leaves
- Cilantro
- Dill
- Fennel
- Garlic
- Herbes de Provence (Marjoram, thyme, savory)
- Lavender
- Mint Oregano
How to water and care for your herb garden
It’s crucial to decide on the ideal growing conditions before beginning an indoor herb garden. Hardy annuals thrive best in a sunny window, but if you’re looking for plants that need more water or care, a darker spot would be preferable. The best way to water your herb garden depends on the plant material and the climate in your area. Hardy annuals can be watered weekly with a light misting; semi-hardy annuals can go without watering for two weeks and then be lightly moistened; and succulents need almost no watering at all. When watering herbs, remember to never overwater plants; instead allow them to dry out between waterings.
In order to stave off insects and diseases, your herb garden needs to be kept clean. Every so often, you should get rid of any debris that has accumulated as well as any dead flowers and leaves. Take action right once if you see any pests or illnesses affecting your plants. Last but not least, when the time comes to bring your herb garden within, be sure to properly put up all of your plants to prevent harm during transportation.
How to harvest and use herbs from your indoor herb garden
You will need to be familiar with a few easy techniques in order to harvest and use your indoor herb garden. Begin by deciding the herbs you wish to add in your garden. Herbs that grow well indoors are often ones that do not require a lot of sunlight or water. Make sure to choose varieties that are hardy in your climate zone.
Next, add some organic matter, such compost or aged manure, to the soil where the herbs will grow. If desired, add a small amount of fertilizer before planting. Select a location in your home with indirect lighting, and during the day, enhance the space with artificial lighting.
Once the plants are established, begin harvesting by snipping off the desired portions of the stems with sharp scissors or a pair of secateurs. For next year’s growth, leave just one leaf on each stem. These “nodes” will become the sprouting points. Until ready to use, store picked herbs in an airtight container in a cool spot away from direct sunlight or heat.
Conclusion
An indoor herb garden is a great way to liven up and color a drab interior environment. Herbs are beneficial for air purification and mood enhancement in addition to adding fragrance to any space. Install some LED lights in your herb garden so that they can thrive all season long, whether you grow your own herbs or buy them from a shop.
What is the most successful herb to cultivate in an indoor environment?
If you don’t have a garden but would like to start one, the simplest herbs to cultivate inside are basil, oregano, mint, chives, sage, rosemary, and thyme.
What plant can live inside where it doesn’t get sunlight?
The pothos, which is often referred to as devil’s ivy, is a very hardy houseplant that thrives in low-light environments. Pothos is one of the plants that can grow without direct sunlight, and it also has the ability to remove carbon monoxide from the air.