Herbs as Houseplants
Last Updated on Friday, 11 November 2011 05:22
Posted by Home Cure Wednesday, 12 October 2011 11:06 |
Herbs make wonderful houseplants; not only are they beautiful and decorative, herbs also add fragrance and flavor to your home. Running your hands through a rosemary plant or slightly brushing by a lemon-scented thyme can invigorate you, as well as bring a room to life.
There is an herb for every taste and décor. Some are small and cute, and others are statelier, such as the bay leaf. Select the herb plants you find attractive, but that are not too demanding. Plant them in attractive containers to enhance their natural beauty. Use your imagination and creativity.
Most potted herbs do very well indoors, and what’s more, they can easily be moved outside onto the patio, or you can sink them into your flower bed during the warmer months, bringing them back inside when it gets colder.
The Best Herbs To Grow Indoors
Most herbs need sunlight to grow and produce well, so choose an east or south-facing window. Temperature, air circulation, soil, fertilizer, and water are also important to consider, and it helps to review those needs before you head out to the nursery or garden center to pick out your herbal companion. Below are some growing tips for some of our favorites.
Basil
Basil needs full sun and well-drained soil. Water whenever the surface begins to feel dry. Harvest by snipping the growing tips frequently to keep the plants bushy and prevent flowering. Don’t let the temperature drop below 50 ° F. Basil plants are productive for 3 – 6 months.
Bay
Keep bay plants in full or partial sun. Bay is slow growing and will take years to reach 2 feet in a pot. Allow the soil to dry out between watering. Bay prefers daytime temperatures around 60° F and nighttime temperatures around 50 ° F, but can take temperatures in the 40s. Allow your bay plant plenty of room for good air circulation. Harvest by cutting off individual older leaves as needed, or to dry.
Chives
Chives thrive in full sun. Chive plants prefer daytime temperatures in the 70s and night temperatures in the 60s, but can tolerate temperatures as low as the 40s. Chives will live several years in pots. Harvest by cutting off individual leaf blades to within 1 inch above the soil surface.
Dill
Dill needs full sunlight and can be productive indoors for two to four months. The dill plant may need staking, as it can reach 3 feet in height. Water whenever the soil surface begins to dry. Dill prefers temperatures in the 50s and 60s.
Ginger
Get ginger root from your grocery store and plant a fragment of rhizome in a roomy, shallow pot. Ginger enjoys high temperatures, high humidity and moist soil. Harvest whenever the rhizome begins to outgrow its pot.
Marjoram
Marjoram is a perennial and will grow one foot tall in full sunlight, and be productive for one to two years. After that the plant becomes woody. The heavenly fragrance is pervasive – use sparingly in cooking. Marjoram prefers temperatures in the 60s and 70s. Marjoram plants need good drainage and can even be kept on the dry side.
Mints
Mints are productive for six months or more in pots. Trim individual stems often and use in cooking or to make an uplifting tea. A great variety of mints can be grouped together for a showy display. If you would like to preserve each mint’s original flavor do not let them bloom because they’ll cross-pollinate, and then all your mints will taste the same!
Oregano
Keep oregano on the dry side and temperatures in the 70s during the daytime and the 60s during nighttime. Cut it back often to contain its tendency to spread. When oregano becomes woody, replace it.
Parsley
Give parsley cool temperatures and full sun. The fine flavor of flat-leaf (Italian) parsley is stronger than that of curly parsley, but both make beautiful house plants. Harvest parsley by cutting the outer leaves, leaving the central rosette to produce new growth.
Rosemary
Never let your rosemary plant dry out completely, or it will die. Rosemary needs good drainage, and if the needle-like evergreen leaves turn brown, it means you’re over watering. Prune or pinch back rosemary regularly to keep it bushy.
Sage
Sage needs full sun and must have good drainage; it does not like “wet feet”. Choose from a great variety of sage plants. No matter what kind you get, they all make beautiful and fragrant pot plants. Pick fresh leaves for cooking, or let the leaves dry out and use them as incense.
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One could save money growing these, too. Store-bought herbs are expensive!
Absolutely, Paul – just what I was thinking! Beauty and frugality.
Great blog post – thanks!