In the Garden

Brighten Up Winter with Indoor Herbs

By Pat Naughton

Rather than reaching for some old, dried herbs in the pantry, why not pick some fresh herbs from a windowsill?

Dried herbs have a recommended shelf life of one year. They generally stay in the pantry longer than that. Fresh herbs offer an aroma and a better appearance than dried herbs. Growing herbs indoors also gives a sense of warmth to the room that house plants provide.

Start Your Indoor Garden

Herbs can be grown from seed or cuttings from plants. There are nurseries in Brunswick County that sell herb plants: Just search for “herb nursery near me.” Look for plants that have a short mature height. Select plants based on the amount of sunlight you have available. Basil, oregano, thyme, rosemary, and sage need 6 to 8 hours of light per day. Shade-tolerant herbs like mint, parsley, and cilantro can get by with 4 hours of light a day. Any container can be used for herbs provided it has good drainage. The container should be a few inches wider than the plant to allow room to grow before it needs to be repotted. Terra cotta containers absorb moisture and help prevent the soil from staying too moist. They are well-suited for herbs that should be kept on the dry side, like savory, rosemary, oregano, and sage. Let the soil dry out in between watering. Plants like mint, basil, parsley, and lemon balm like soil to stay moist, but not soggy.

Choose Your Potting Mix

Use indoor potting mix rather than potting soil. Indoor planting mix is lighter and allows drainage. Potting soil may have soil, which makes it heavier and slows drainage. Fill the container two-thirds full, set the plant in, and fill around the sides. Give the plant plenty of water initially until new leaves begin to form. After checking the soil for dryness with your finger, add water sparingly. The ideal location is next to a south-facing window. Plants that begin to get leggy are suffering from insufficient light. A grow light can be added, or the plant can be pinched back to promote a bushier plant. Harvest new growth with scissors or pinch with fingertips. Don’t remove more than a quarter of a stem to avoid stressing the plant. Periodic cuttings will promote new growth. Don’t wait till next summer to enjoy fresh herbs. Grow a few herbs indoors this winter.

Follow Pat’s ps for the freshest herbs in town! For fresh herbs all winter, start a windowsill herb garden. If your window doesn't provide 4 to 8 hours of sunlight, add a grow light.