Growing fresh herbs indoors during winter can add flavor and greenery to your home when the garden is dormant. With proper care, many popular culinary herbs will continue thriving indoors throughout the cold season. This comprehensive guide provides tips for overwintering herbs, ensuring your indoor garden stays vibrant until spring.
Choosing the Right Herbs for Indoor Growing
Not all herbs adapt well to indoor conditions. Focus on selecting varieties that can tolerate lower light levels and drier air. Some of the best options include:
- Basil
- Oregano
- Thyme
- Sage
- Rosemary
- Parsley
- Chives
- Mint
Annual herbs like basil, parsley, and cilantro must be grown from seed indoors Fortunately, they germinate readily indoors
Hardier perennials like oregano, thyme, and sage can be propagated from cuttings or transplanted directly from the garden. This allows you to continue harvesting from mature, established plants.
Getting a Head Start Outdoors
For best results, prepare herbs for indoor growing while they are still thriving in the garden. Here are some tips:
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Inspect plants closely and treat any pest or disease issues before bringing them inside Healthy plants have the best chance of adapting
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Take cuttings from perennial herbs in late summer or fall and root them in pots. This gives you fresh young plants ready for winter growing.
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Transplant mature herbs from the garden into containers at least 6-8 weeks before your first fall frost. Allow them to adjust to pots before moving them indoors.
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Sow seeds of annual herbs like cilantro, dill and basil 2-3 months before your frost date. Grow them in pots outdoors until it is time to bring them in.
Providing Optimal Indoor Conditions
Mimicking outdoor growing conditions as closely as possible will ensure your herbs stay healthy and productive indoors. Key factors to manage include:
Lighting
Herbs require at least 4-6 hours of direct sunlight daily from a south-facing window. Supplement with grow lights as needed to provide 14-16 hours of light per day. LED grow lights work well and conserve energy.
Temperature
Daytime temperatures between 65-75°F and nighttime temperatures around 55-60°F are ideal. Avoid drafty areas.
Air Circulation
Use small fans to gently circulate air around indoor herbs. Stagnant air encourages disease issues.
Humidity
Humidity levels between 40-60% are best. Use a humidifier or pebble tray to elevate humidity around the herbs as needed.
Water
Let the soil dry out partially between waterings. Herbs are prone to root rot if overwatered, especially in indoor conditions.
Drainage and Soil
Use containers with drainage holes and a well-draining potting mix amended with compost.
Fertilizer
Feed with a balanced liquid fertilizer every 4-6 weeks according to label directions. Avoid overfeeding.
Ongoing Care and Maintenance
Consistent care is important for keeping herbs healthy and productive indoors:
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Monitor soil moisture frequently and water thoroughly when the top inch becomes dry.
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Watch for pests like aphids, mealybugs, or spider mites. Remove by hand or use insecticidal soap sprays.
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Prune herbs regularly to promote bushy new growth. Don’t allow them to become overgrown.
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Take cuttings from herbs like basil and mint to ensure a continuous supply of fresh plants.
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Turn pots periodically and prune or trim any spindly growth. This encourages full, compact plants.
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Supplement natural window lighting with grow lights as needed to provide sufficient light.
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Check humidity levels and mist leaves or use a pebble tray if humidity is low.
With attentive care, your favorite herbs can keep growing indoors all winter long. Just be sure to transition them back outdoors in spring once the weather warms up again. With the right approach, you’ll enjoy fresh flavors straight from your indoor herb garden even during the coldest months.
FAQ
Can you grow herbs indoors during winter?
To grow herbs in winter, choose a truly sunny window (southern exposure) that gets at least six hours of sun per day. Because that can be a hard requirement to fulfill, many gardeners prefer to use grow lights instead or in addition to window light.
What herbs are easiest to grow indoors in winter?
Herbs such as basil, parsley, cilantro, chives, oregano, mint, and rosemary will all grow very well indoors year-round. Like vegetable plants, they need direct sunlight and the correct temperatures. They must be kept consistently moist but not overly wet.
How do you keep herb plants alive indoors?
A humid environment can be created with a humidifier, by spraying plants periodically with a misting bottle, or by filling a pan with moist pebbles and …Dec 20, 2018
What is the best plant to grow indoors in winter?
Cilantro, Dill, Parsley, & Celery Are Easy Plants to Start Indoors Oh, look–more herbs! Cilantro, parsley, and dill are great herbs to start over winter to get a jump start on the season. They’re frost tolerant, so you can plant them out as soon as your soil can be worked.
Can you plant herbs indoors in winter?
Sharing is caring! Pot up herbs for fragrant, fresh green leaves indoors in winter. Herbs set on a sunny window sill through the winter can be used at any time. While herbs are at their best in a sunny garden, many will grow quite well in containers indoors.
Can you grow herbs indoors?
Here’s how to get started! Many indoor herbs prefer the same temperatures as most people—around 65 to 70° F—so it’s a cozy relationship! We’re big fans of fresh basil, rosemary, and oregano because they add flavor to foods—and a lovely scent to the kitchen. These herbs can be grown indoors during winter and at any time of the year.
How do I choose the best herbs for indoor winter gardening?
Choose herbs that adapt well to indoor conditions for successful growth during the winter months. – Ensure your indoor herbs receive adequate light and are watered and fertilized appropriately. When choosing herbs for indoor winter gardening, select adaptable options like basil, cilantro, oregano, parsley, and sage.
Why should I start an indoor herb garden?
There are two primary reasons for starting an indoor herb garden that will grow throughout the winter. The first is the desire to have access to fresh, homegrown herbs all winter long. Without a doubt, homegrown herbs are more flavorful than fresh or dried ones bought from the store.
How do you care for herbs in winter?
Provide your indoor herbs with enough water and prune regularly, but be careful not to overwater them. Take regular cuttings of your herbs to promote new growth and ensure a continuous supply of fresh flavors throughout winter. Bring garden herbs indoors and ensure they receive enough light and care to thrive throughout the winter.
How do you grow herbs in winter?
To make sure you always have access to fresh, soft-stem herbs, like basil, lemon balm, and mint, take cuttings of each plant throughout the winter. Place these cuttings in a small vase of water and they’ll soon develop roots.