Summertime is all about spending time outdoors and doing activities that you love, but if you want to beat the heat this year, you can start your own indoor herb garden right in your home. Growing herbs inside your home is a wonderful way to bring freshness to your space. Whether you want to add some fresh-picked flavor to your favorite summer recipes or you have a green thumb, by following a few simple steps, you can put together your own indoor herb garden, just in time for summer!
First, make some room near a sunny window in your home, and pick out some stylish pots and potting soil for your new herbs to grow in. Once you have your new herb garden area set up, you can begin choosing which sun-loving herbs you want to grow. Read on to learn some key gardening tips from business leaders and to discover which herbs are the best to grow indoors in summer.
Growing Flavorful Mint
Melanie Bedwell, E-commerce Manager OLIPOP
If you are new to growing herbs, mint is a wonderful plant to start with. Mint is a wonderful herb to grow indoors, as the fragrant leaves will add freshness to any space. Mint also grows very well in containers, making it the perfect herb to have in an indoor garden in your kitchen. To see the best results, place your mint in an area with a mix of sunlight and shade, such as on a window sill or on your kitchen counter near a window. Mint grows best when it receives a healthy amount of watering, so make sure that you water your plant at least every two to three days. When you water your mint plant, make sure that the water is able to drain well and that the soil is left moist. Mint tends to grow towards the sun, so you can rotate your plant every three to four days if needed. Once your mint leaves begin to sprout, you’ll want to harvest the leaves soon after, as newer leaves often provide a deep, rich flavor. Mint leaves are perfect for adding into a freshly-squeezed lemonade, a strawberry mojito, or for mixing into a crisp, summer watermelon-cucumber salad.
Fresh Cilantro
Stephanie Venn-Watson, CEO Seraphina Therapeutics
Cilantro is one of the most popular herbs to grow, as it is such a versatile ingredient. Whether you are whipping up some zesty fish tacos or a citrus summer salad, cilantro is sure to add delicious flavor to any dish. To grow cilantro in your home, start out by placing your seeds or starter plant in a container with drainage holes to allow for better moisture and to help air pass through the roots. Most cilantro plants need at least six hours of sunlight and will do well sitting directly in front of a window, or on an enclosed balcony. After your leaves begin to blossom, lightly cut back a few outer leaves at a time and pick exactly what you need. Cilantro pairs well with freshly-squeezed lime juice and is also a beautiful garnish.
Beautiful Basil
Juan Pablo Cappello, Co-Founder and CEO Nue Life
If you are looking for the perfect summer herb that you can grow indoors and use in the kitchen to add a pop of flavor to your culinary creations, then you should try your hand at growing basil. Basil is a fragrant herb that grows very well indoors, as long as it gets a healthy daily dose of sunlight. Place your basil plant in a well-lit, sunny area so that your plant will get at least 10 hours of direct sunlight a day. One key tip to keep in mind when growing basil is that the leaves should be picked on a regular basis, so that your plant will keep producing hearty leaves all summer long. Not only do basil leaves look beautiful, but they also have a very rich flavor. Basil is the perfect herb for adding to a summer Margherita pizza or a delicious Caprese salad.
Harvesting Chives All Summer Long
Ubaldo Perez, CEO Hush Anesthetics
Chives are one of the simplest herbs to grow, plus they love the sun, which is why they are the perfect summer herb. Chives are a milder version of green onions, and they are a great starter herb as they are very low maintenance and will grow in many different settings. Chives are taller herbs and can grow upwards of about 12 inches, so you want to make sure that they have plenty of room in your home. These bright green herbs grow best in full sunlight, but can also get the necessary light they need from fluorescent bulbs. You should water your chives whenever the soil on top is dry to the touch. Make sure to give the tops of your chives an occasional trim if needed. Once your chives are ready for harvesting, simply snip off as much as you need off the top, wash them, and dice them up to add to your favorite dish. Chives are great for seasoning your food and will add a nice, mild taste to a warm summer soup or a cold dip. You can also sprinkle some chives on your baked potato for your next outdoor BBQ cookout, or use them as a garnish for some delightful deviled eggs.
Growing Greek Oregano
Susan Brandt, Co-Founder Blooming Secrets
Herbs are great to grow in an apartment garden because many of them require a minimal amount of space. And, once you figure out the amount of sunlight you have, you can figure out the right herbs that will work for you. If you’re new to growing herbs or your space is limited, start with two to three herbs. Each herb should have its own container with a drainage hole in the bottom. Select the ones that you believe you will use the most. Greek oregano has the best flower for culinary use and is the easiest to grow indoors. The more sun the plant receives, the stronger the flavor. Place them in a sunny spot near a window or on a deck, where they’ll get at least six hours of sun daily. Windows that face south or southwest are your best shot at sun, though east or west-facing windows also will do. You should choose pots that fit your personal style but they should be at least six inches in diameter to leave ample room for the herbs to grow. The biggest mistake that gardeners and cooks make is to overwater their herbs. Be sure not to harvest too many leaves at any one time.
Taking Care of Your Indoor Herb Garden
Naomi Robinson, Founder Houseplant Authority
Rosemary does best when it gets at least 6 hours of full sunlight each day, with the general recommendation being to keep it in the brightest room in your house. This herb can struggle with the shorter days in winter, though and so an artificial light can be a good idea here. Dill likes to have at least 5 hours of direct sunlight each day in order to produce the full flavor it’s known for. Your tarragon plant thrives in bright, indirect light for 6 to 8 hours per day, so anything other than a south-facing window will tend to work best with this herb. Having them indoors also means you can use them year-round, compared to outdoor herbs, many of which tend to suffer during the colder months. The easiest way to avoid overwatering is to simply use your finger to check the top 2 inches of soil in each herb’s pot. If it’s dry, it’s safe to water your plant.
We hope you enjoyed learning about all of the tips and techniques to help you grow your very own indoor herb garden this summer. You will love having all of these fresh herbs available in your home to add to all of your favorite summer recipes. These herbs will be the perfect way to add a rich pop of flavor to all of your sweet and savory dishes and drinks, while also brightening up your kitchen with fresh greenery. Happy planting!
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