How to Keep Herbs Alive Indoors

We've all been there before. You've picked up a cute little pot of herbs from the store, brought them home, and placed them above the kitchen sink. You've tried to be a good plant parent and tend to their needs, yet weeks later they're looking decidedly...dead? And just like that, your dreams for fresh pasta toppings end up being thrown in the trash.

In this blog, we're going to provide a few basic pointers to help extend the life of your indoor garden. Let's revive that vision of a fresh green garnish and dive right in.

Water Your Herbs to Keep Them Alive

Water is crucial for keeping your herbs alive. However, how to water your plants depends on many factors, including where you plant them. Here are some tips on how to water your herbs indoors:

• Use room temperature water. Most tap water is okay for plants unless it has salts that can build up in the soil over time. Always fill up your watering can after using it to ensure the water is at room temperature.
• Adjust water amounts based on the plant type. Research the region your plant is from and the climate it grows in. For specific plant recommendations, check out our eBook.
• Water frequency depends on the plant type. Generally, water your indoor herbs at least two or three times per week.
• Avoid overwatering. Using a pot with drainage holes is highly recommended. Too much water with no room to drain can drown your herbs. Roots need oxygen to survive.
• Use quality soil for better water retention. Just as light, water, and correct potting are important, quality soil also greatly impacts plant health.

To learn more about how and when to water your plants, whether planted outdoors or indoors, click here.

Your Herbs Need Light to Stay Alive

Light is another crucial factor for keeping your herbs alive indoors. You have two main options:

1. Natural Light. You need at least 4-6 hours of direct, unobstructed natural light per day to grow edible plants like herbs. Depending on your location, the sun's intensity can more than halve during winter, and days are shorter.
2. Grow lights. Although they come at an additional cost, grow lights offer many benefits. They provide flexibility and reduce dependency on seasons and natural light.

If you’d like to learn more about grow lights, we recommend checking out our Indoor Gardening Intro blog.

Put Herbs in the Right-sized Pot to Keep Them Alive Indoors

Potted herbs from the supermarket may look big and beautiful, but they are often overcrowded. Single seedlings in tiny pots don’t sell well, so producers overstuff pots with seedlings to create a "full" look. If you plan to keep and grow these herbs, follow these steps:

1. Use the right-sized pot. Too small a pot and the roots will get crowded; too large, and the soil might not retain proper dampness, leading to the herb drying out. Pot size recommendations are available in our eBook.
2. Use the right kind of pot. Avoid mason jars, as they lack drainage and can cause root rot. Use ceramic or plastic pots with drainage holes or porous cloth pots instead.
3. Set up your pot with proper drainage. The type of potting mix you use is also important. For the best potting mix for herbs and veggies, read this article.

A good pot is crucial for the survival of your herbs. Soil composition, water, fertilizer, and light are also important, but starting with the right pot and drainage sets you up for success.

Hopefully, this article has provided enough pointers to get you started. For more plant-specific guidance on caring for various types of indoor edible plants, download a copy of our eBook via the link below.