Indoor Herb Gardening

By: Marie Davis

Indoor herb gardening is a hobby that more and more people are taking an interest in. It's so simple that many are growing herbs plants on their windowsills! Of course, the right lighting, moisture, and temperature is needed in order for them to grow, so it's essential that you have the right knowledge before you attempt to grow herbs in your home.

So, what types of herbs can you grow inside your home? Some of the most popular include: basil, sage, mint, rosemary, parsley, lavender, geranium, and chamomile. Only buy the seeds from trusted suppliers and reputable sellers. Always look for an expiration date when buying seed packets. The type of compost you buy is also important. An all purpose compost will be fine, just as long as it's from a trusted supplier.

If you live in an area that receives sufficient sunlight during winter months, you won't have any trouble with indoor herb gardening. In fact, southern climates are ideal, since herbs need around seven or eight hours of sunlight every day. However, if you can't supplement your herb plants' growth with natural sunlight from a window, you can use special grow lights. Make sure you get the right type of grow light, though, as various plants require different lighting. If you end up using fluorescent lighting, place it approximately four inches above the herb plants.

Another thing you need to consider about indoor herb gardening are pests. They can cause a lot of problems with indoor plants, especially herbs. If you ever see any tiny insects around the herbs, you need to cover the plants and leaves with soapy water. You can do this by tilting the pot over and swishing the herbs around in the soapy water.

Another option is to use a spray bottle with soapy water and spray the entire plant, including the undersides of the leaves. Pesky pests can be extremely irritating, so you need to protect your herbs from them as best you can.

Indoor herb gardening requires a steady routine, especially when it comes to water. Your indoor herbs need you to provide them with all the water since they can't get any outside naturally. However, you don't want to over-water, either. If the top of the compost is moist, don't water. Wait another day before checking again. Water the herbs whenever the top part of the soil is dry.

Make sure there are holes at the bottom of the container so that the extra water can drain easily. For the most part, watering once a week should be sufficient. You should still check every day, though, just to be on the safe side.

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About the Author:
Marie Davis is an indoor herb gardening enthusiast. Visit her website to get a complete list of the most important indoor gardening tips and growing herbs indoor.