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While it is great to have space in your backyard for a big herb garden, this isn’t always
possible. You might not have the right soil or climate for it, or you might be living in an
apartment or condo that doesn’t have yard space. You can still grow some herbs
indoors by using containers. These tips will help you get started with an indoor herb
garden.
Find the Natural Light
Even herbs that grow well indoors or with shade need some type of natural light. Try to
find a location in your home that has the best light, aiming for four or more hours a day
of natural light. This might be near the sliding glass door heading out to your patio, or a
south-facing window. Try to avoid north-facing windows as they don’t usually provide
enough sun. If you want to see how much sun a particular area gets, turn off all the
lights in that area, then see where the most light comes in.
Plant the Right Herbs
Most herbs can grow indoors under the right conditions, but some of them do better
than others. Some of the easiest herbs to start with indoors are lemongrass, mint, chive,
and bay trees. With chives, they don’t need quite as much direct sunlight, which makes
them good for indoor conditions. Mint needs its own pot, but grows great indoors, while
lemongrass doesn’t require any soil.
Have Good Drainage
This is one thing that people are often intimidated by when it comes to growing plants or
herbs indoors. Outside, it is pretty straightforward when you are trying to add drainage
to plants in containers or those in your yard. However, it is not difficult to add drainage
for indoor herb gardens, and it is a really important step in the process. For good
drainage, you want to put the herb in a potted plant with soil, but one that has holes in
the bottom. This should then be placed on a pan that is able to catch the water. You
don’t want moisture to get through the saucer, so metal and plastic are usually food
materials.
Maintain the Indoor Temperature
While many herbs can be grown in containers inside your home, you still need to pay
attention to the climate. This includes checking the temperature in your home and
making sure it doesn’t get too cold or too hot. A temperature of around 65-75 degrees
Fahrenheit is usually food to stick to. Have a thermometer attached to the window
where the plants are being kept so you can see what the actual temperature is near the
plant. This will be the most accurate reading.
For more information about sustainable gardening check out https://permaculturelifestyle.co/category/herbal-gardening/