Growing Fresh Herbs Indoors Year-Round

Fresh produce is often the first thing to disappear from store shelves during emergencies, and it's the hardest to store long-term at home. Those dried spices in your cupboard start losing flavor within a year.

An indoor herb garden solves both problems. It gives you a constant supply of fresh greens that thrive indoors, even in winter, and complements your emergency food storage perfectly! Plus, an indoor herb garden is the easiest place to start if you'd like to plan a garden too.

It doesn't require a yard, special skills, or even much space. Just a windowsill and a little attention, and you've got fresh food growing year-round, no matter what's happening outside. And yes, this really is possible year-round! It may take a few adjustments depending on where you live, but it is possible!

Step 1: Collect Your Materials

• Seed packets of all the herbs you want to grow

• Containers or pots of your choice (read more below)

• Seed starting mix or potting soil (avoid regular garden soil for this application)

• A good light source (read more below)

• Watering can

• Drip Tray or Saucer to catch excess water

• Optional Extras: Labels, fertilizer, a heating pad, a humidity dome (or other plastic cover), and/or a small fan for airflow

Keep in mind that you can use nearly any container or pot you want, as long as it has drainage holes at the bottom to prevent water from accumulating. You can plant multiple varieties in a single container, but I recommend having at least 3 square inches of space per plant you wish to have. You can always thin out the plants as they grow, too. As far as a good light source goes, a sunny windowsill is often all you need! However, if you don’t have a good, sunny window to use, indoor grow lights can be inexpensive and just as effective.

Step 2: Set Up

• Fill the containers with the potting soil or seed starting mix and get it thoroughly moist but not soggy. 

• Follow the seed packet instructions for depth and spacing of seeds. It's typically good practice to put 2-3 seeds per hole to get a good germination rate. Ensure all the seeds are covered with enough soil. 

• Label the different varieties now if you’re worried about not remembering which is which, because at first, they will all look the same. 

• Next, use a plastic humidity dome or some plastic wrap to loosely cover the pot to retain moisture and humidity during germination. The seeds do not need light at this point, so put them somewhere they can be warm and undisturbed. Aim for around 68-75°F. 

Step 3: After Germination Care

• As soon as any single seed has sprouted through the soil, move it to a window into direct sunlight or under a grow light! It is also critical to remove the humidity dome or plastic cover at this point. 

• Keep the soil consistently moist until most of the seeds have germinated. A spray bottle can be helpful for this, or a gentle watering can can also do the trick. 

• If two or more seedlings germinate right next to each other, choose the healthiest one and gently remove the others. Follow the spacing recommendations on the seed packet for each herb variety. 

Step 4: Daily Care and Maintenance

• Once the seeds have germinated, it is critical they they receive AT LEAST 6 hours of direct sunlight or grow light exposure, but as much as 12 hours can be beneficial. Do not leave the grow light on 24 hours a day; the plants need a period of darkness at nighttime. 

• Rotate the container so that all the plants get an even amount of light over time. You can rotate the pot once a day or every other day. This is helpful whether you are using a windowsill, a grow light, or both. 

• Continue to monitor the moisture level of the potting soil, watering it only when it is slightly dry. The frequency and amount of water will significantly vary depending on the location and size of the container. 

• Optionally, you can fertilize every 3-4 weeks with a low-strength, balanced blend of your choice. Do this at the same time as a watering session.

Step 5: Harvesting

As soon as your plants have 10 or more leaves on them, you can start harvesting! Harvests will be small at first but will continue to increase steadily. A general rule of thumb to keep your plants happy and healthy is to never harvest more than one-third of the plant at any single time and allow the plant time to recover (grow new leaves) between harvests. 

Special Considerations: Northern Winter Climates

Yes! You can still have an indoor herb garden in the winter, even in northern climates. There are just a few things you will need to keep in mind. First, the cold! Depending on how well-insulated your windows are and how warm you prefer to keep your house, a sunny windowsill might not be the best place for your herb garden. If your windowsill is cold, your herbs will likely struggle to grow. If you want to put the container somewhere, but you know it is too cold, you can buy an inexpensive heating mat for plants that will do the trick. Sometimes, using a grow light away from the window and a heating mat is necessary to craft the perfect environment for your herbs. 

Second, the light! As us northerners know, sometimes the length of daylight can be quite pitiful in the middle of winter. The best remedy for this is a simple grow light. It doesn’t have to be expensive, and it can make or break your herb garden. If you have a windowsill that is warm enough, you can even use a timer to have it turn on for a couple of hours in the morning and a couple of hours in the evening, just to extend the natural day length. 

Lastly, consider the proximity of your pot to a heater or vent. If you blast the heat all winter and your herb garden is located right next to the vent for that, your herbs will likely struggle due to a lack of humidity and possibly overheating. If your herb garden is located near a heater or vent, it may require more frequent watering. Try to keep your herb garden in a well-ventilated area that is neither too hot nor too cold.

Trouble Shooting

Problem: My plants germinated just fine, but now they appear skinny, pale, weak, and tall, with few leaves.

Answer: This is called legginess. It is due to insufficient light exposure. If you catch it early on, you simply increase the light exposure (move the grow light closer to the plant). If it has been a while and they are more than an inch long and very pale, you should start over, but provide higher light conditions as soon as the second batch germinates.

Problem: My plants were growing fine, but now many of the leaves are turning yellow, and they’re not growing so much.

Answer: You are likely overwatering your plants. Allow the soil to dry down to the top 2-3 inches between waterings. If doing this for a while doesn’t fix the problem, you may need to start over or repot the plants and remove any squishy or rotted roots. 

Problem: I am starting to see fuzzy or green mold growing in the soil of my herb garden. What do I do?

Answer: Back off on watering a bit and increase airflow! You can use a small amount of isopropyl alcohol to kill the existing mold. Use a small fan to promote airflow around the plants and avoid overwatering in the future.

Herbs All Year

An indoor herb garden is simple to start, easy to maintain, and provides a steady source of fresh flavor year-round. With the right container, a bit of light, and consistent care, your herbs will reward you day after day. You can grow them through winter, troubleshoot the occasional hiccup, and keep harvesting without ever stepping outside. Start small, pay attention to what your plants need, and you will have a reliable supply of fresh greens right at home.

Additional Resources

Penn State Extension Growing Herbs Indoors

Master Gardener’s Tips For Indoor Herb Growing

University of Minnesota Growing Plants Indoors

Quality Heirloom Seeds

About This Expert:

Lara Wadsworth is a freelance horticulture writer with a Bachelor's degree in Horticulture and over three years of experience creating engaging content about gardening and plant care. As a wife, mom, and dog lover, Lara understands the importance of balancing a busy life with a thriving garden. She values practical advice and effective strategies that empower beginners and experienced gardeners alike to grow with confidence. Through her writing, she aims to inspire others to enjoy the rewards of gardening, no matter their skill level.