Everyone wants to grow herbs these days. And why not - herbs pay
triple dividends in good looks, delicious flavor and intoxicating
aromas. In fact, it is hard not to get passionate about herbs once
you have used them in your favorite recipes. Just a few pots indoors
can supply you with wonderful flavors and herbal gifts year-round.
Herbs that Grow Well Indoors:
Not every herb likes indoor life. In recent years, many new varieties
of herbs have been introduced, some of which do better indoors than
the traditional varieties. Here are 11 herbs notable for their consistent,
compact growth habit and strong flavor.
1. Grolau Chives
2. Fernleaf Dill
3. English Mint
4. Spicy Globe Basil
5. Greek Oregano
6. Broadleaf Thyme
7. Vietnamese Coriander
8. Blue Boy Rosemary
9. Dwarf Garden Sage
10. Creeping Savory
11. Parsley
Ready to Plant:
For the most part, herbs are sun worshippers. They do not tolerate
north-facing windows or any window that gets less than five hours
of direct sunlight a day. If you lack sufficient natural lighting
in your house, use fluorescent grow lights. A combination of warm
and cool white fluorescent tubes is recommended.
Pots made out of porous materials are desirable to use for growing
herbs.
Whatever container you choose, a drainage hole is a must. Place
a small piece of broken pottery or a few pebbles at the bottom of
your container to keep the soil from spilling out. Fill the container
about halfway with a suitable growing mixture. To improve drainage
without sacrificing nutrients, add sharp sand or perlite to a good
sterilized compost-based mix. Most herbs do well in soils of pH
six to seven. Place the herb cutting or transplant in the pot and
pack soil around it, leaving a one-inch headspace.
Water Well:
In general, water less often and more thoroughly and only when the
soil is actually dry. Add water until it flows out of the drainage
hole.
Pests and Disease:
Although insects and diseases are rarely a problem with garden-grown
herbs, you may occasionally encounter a pest or two. Control pests
by dipping the whole above-ground part of the plant into an insecticidal
water solution. Swish vigorously for a minute or two to wet all
leaf surfaces (hold your hand over the pot to prevent soil loss).
Dipping once or twice a week for three weeks will clear up most
problems.
Starting From Seed:
To start herbs from seeds, fill separate pots or flats of soil mix
for each herb. Tap the soil down, leaving about a half-inch of space
at the top. Shake the seeds out gently and sow them finely, not
too close. Cover the seeds lightly with soil; a depth twice the
size of the seed is good. The best method of watering newly sown
seeds is to soak the pot in a shallow tub of water, allowing the
soil to suck up water from the bottom. Once the top surface of the
soil is moist, let the pot drain. Shade the pot with a sheet of
glass covered by a layer of newspaper to limit the light received.
When any sign of sprouting occurs, remove the glass and water from
the bottom.
