Growing Herbs In Pots: How To Guide

Growing herbs in pots or containers is the best way of allowing them to grow indoors. It is also possible to grow these herbs by keeping them in hanging baskets or the window boxes. As such, there is no difficulty towards growing herbs in pots indoors as compared to growing them outdoors. The requirements of an indoor herb garden are similar to that of an outdoor garden.

Growing Herbs in Pots Indoors

Like other plants, these herbs need three main things that allow them to grow successfully. These include proper soil, plenty of water, and appropriate sunlight. The sunlight is the most important thing required for the herbs whether they are grown indoors or outdoors in a garden. It is necessary to grow the herbs in a window that is situated towards the west or south portion of the house as that provides the required sunlight for the growth of the herbs. The sunlight requirement varies for different types of herbs but the natural condition is the provision of sufficient sunlight for the growth of the herbs. In certain cases, the sunlight is replaced with “grow lamps” or “fluorescent lamps” to provide the required amount of light to the herb plants. The soil needs to be well drained while growing herbs in pots so that it is not that rich.

The addition of two parts containing sterilized potting soil that contains one part of coarse sand or perlite will help grow herbs in pots. The bottom portion of the pot should have an inch of gravel to provide sufficient drainage to the potted herb. Growing herbs in pots indoors needs the addition of one teaspoon of lime to the surface area of 5-inch of the pot. This will sweeten the soil for the herbs and allow their natural growth. Spraying water will provide sufficient humidity to the potted herb. Sufficient water should be provided to the herbs without making it drenched or soggy.

Advantage of Growing Herbs in Pots Indoors

Growing herbs in pots indoors provides you with the required flexibility to move them around as desired for keeping the plants in the best possible location. The Annual herbs can be kept indoors without affecting their natural growth process. However, Perennial herbs have a better growth when they are placed outside in the summer season. In times of frost, it is important to bring the herbs inside to avoid any sort of damage or loss of foliage in them. However, herbs like mint, chives, and tarragon are exceptions to this rule. These herbs go into kind of hibernation during the frost period to grow in a firm and fresh manner after going through light frost conditions.

It is possible to grow all types of herbs in containers but the growth results will be completely different for each one of them. The mint herb needs to be contained else, it will spread across the garden. Such a possibility is rare for the indoor herb plants with proper containment procedures put in place. The indoor herb garden can be easily maintained. These herbs can be used for cooking as and when required. The herbs should be periodically repotted and provided with sufficient light so that they can get optimum health and grow properly. It is important to move perennials outside when required and repot the annuals every year to encourage new growth in these herb plants.

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