How to Start a Herb Garden Inside : Tips for Beginners & Small Spaces

Start your herb garden inside with this warm, practical guide—plus easy, creative herb garden indoor ideas that won’t die on you (or your windowsill).

How a Supermarket Basil Plant Started My Indoor Herb Garden Journey

I’ll be honest—starting a herb garden inside wasn’t part of some wellness glow-up plan. It started because I bought one of those supermarket basil pots and felt smug for a full 48 hours... until it keeled over in the middle of my windowsill like it had given up on life. Which, in fairness, it had.

That was years ago. Since then, I’ve figured out how to keep my herbs alive—and actually use them. Turns out, you don’t need a garden, a greenhouse, or some fancy vertical hydro system to grow your own. You just need a bit of light, a bit of know-how, and a willingness to fail a little before you figure it out.

This post isn’t about being perfect. It’s about being practical. Whether you’ve got a single sunny windowsill or a whole shelf to spare, this is a human, no-fuss guide to starting your herb garden inside—plus some surprisingly doable herb garden indoor ideas to try, even if you’re short on space or time.

Why Grow a Herb Garden Inside Anyway?

Have you ever picked mint from a windowsill and chucked it straight into your tea? It hits different. You suddenly feel like you’ve got your life vaguely together—even if there are dishes in the sink and your cat’s knocked over yet another plant.

But it’s not just the vibe. There are solid, practical reasons too:

• Supermarket herbs cost a fortune and die in days.

• Fresh herbs make sad dinners taste... not sad.

• It smells amazing—your kitchen becomes a mini spa.

• You reduce waste by avoiding plastic packaging.

• Even small spaces feel more alive with greenery.

Plus, growing your own herbs indoors can be incredibly calming. There’s something grounding about watering a little basil plant after a stressful day. It doesn’t talk back. It just quietly grows. A mini win for your mental health.

What You Actually Need (No Overwhelm Here)

Let’s not over complicate this. You don’t need one of those £80 grow light rigs or aesthetic bamboo shelves that double as air purifiers. Here’s what worked for me:

Essentials:

• Pots with drainage holes—anything you can make drainage holes in.

• Potting mix—not soil from the garden. Go for an indoor mix if possible.

• A saucer or tray—to stop muddy water dripping on your windowsill.

• Herbs—either seeds or small plants. I prefer the lazy route with starter plants.

• Light—the big one. A south facing window is ideal.

Optional but handy:

• Tiny watering can (or a jam jar)

• Plant labels—because baby plants can be very similar at first

Start with what you have. Half my planters are cracked mugs, and they’re thriving.

Where to Put Your Herb Garden Inside

Think sunny spots but not scorching. The kitchen windowsill is a classic for a reason. Other good spots:

• Bathroom with a bright window (some herbs love the steam)

• Shelf with indirect light

• Table near patio doors

• Floating shelf below a window

One thing I’ve learned: herbs hate being shoved in a dark corner. They’ll sulk, turn yellow, and die a dramatic death.

If your windows are small or north-facing, don’t worry—cheap grow lights are surprisingly effective. I used a £12 clip-on one during winter and kept a basil plant going for months.

Best Herbs to Grow for Your Herb Garden Inside

Great starter herbs:

Some herbs are easy going room-mates. Others are more like divas. Here's some to start with:

Basil

• Loves light and warmth. Hates soggy roots.

• Brilliant with tomatoes, pasta, and smug “I grew this” moments.

Mint

• Practically bulletproof. Plant it solo—it will invade other herbs.

• Use in tea, water, mojitos, or just to make your kitchen smell fresh.

Parsley

• A bit slow from seed, so best to start with a young plant.

• Flat-leaf is tastier than curly. Curly is more for show.

Chives

• Foolproof. Tastes like mild onion. Regrows when snipped.

• Pop some on eggs, soup, or baked potatoes.

Thyme & Oregano

• Mediterranean herbs. Prefer it dry and sunny.

• Great for roast dinners, sauces, and pretending you’re in Tuscany.

Other Fun Options:

• Coriander: Delicious but temperamental. Bolts quickly.

• Rosemary: Woody and slow-growing. Needs loads of light.

• Dill: Grows fast, looks feathery, slightly dramatic.

• Lemon balm: Calming and citrusy. Lovely for tea.

Pick Herbs Based on Your Personality

Still unsure where to start? Pick your herbs to your lifestyle:

• For the Lazy Cook: Parsley, chives, oregano—low effort, high reward

• For Tea Lovers: Mint, lemon balm—aromatic, calming and soothing

• For Adventurous Cooks: Thai basil, dill—bold flavours with a bit more care required

• For the Aesthetic Crowd: Lavender, purple basil—aesthetic vibes, soft colour palette

Starting with two or three herbs is more than enough. Learn their habits before adding more to the mix.

Herb Garden Indoor Ideas That Actually Work (No Power Tools Required)

Forget wall-mounted herb walls and rustic ladders. They are lovely and I am working towards this but you don’t need a Pinterest-worthy setup to start. Try these easy herb garden indoor ideas:

• Windowsill line-up—simple and effective

• Mason Jars with Stones—mint especially likes this setup

• Old mugs, tins, jam jars—no cost, lots of charm

• Hanging planters—great for freeing up counter space

• Hydro kits—cool if you enjoy gadgets or have no soil space

  
  

❌ Mistakes I’ve Made (So You Don’t Have To)

• Don’t over water—herbs hate soggy feet. Let the top inch of soil dry out before watering again.

• Don’t overcrowd—one herb, per pot is best. They need space.

• Don’t expect supermarket herbs to last—they are grown fast for short shelf lives. Re-pot immediately if you want them to last.

• Don’t give up when they die—It happens. A lot. Start again. That's the whole point.

How to Keep Your Herbs Alive

You don't need a green thumb—just a little attention. Here's the routine I swear by:

• Water every 3–4 days—check soil with your finger

• Rotate the pots weekly—for even light

• Trim regularly—it encourages new growth

• Use reminders—so you don't forget

Bugs? Don’t Panic

Inside plants occasionally attract pests—but it's manageable:

• Fungus gnats—let the soil dry out. Sprinkle a little cinnamon on the surface.

• Aphids—rinse the plant gently under cool water or wipe leaves with soapy water.

• Spider mites—mist your herbs—these pests hare humidity.

Most indoor bugs come from over watering or poor air flow. Keep things light, dry-ish, and well spaced, and you'll be fine.

Make It Pretty (Optional... But Fun)

Styling your herb garden inside is optional—but very satisfying:

• Use matching pots to your kitchen style

• Add cute labels or tags (chalkboard paint works great)

• Display with cookbooks or wooden utensils

Or don't. I have a pot of basil by my toaster and a mint near the kettle. Still lush. Still mine and still growing.

Plants don't care about aesthetics they just want light—and the occasional drink.

Indoor Herb Garden Cheat Sheet

Here's everything in a nutshell:

• Top herbs: Basil, parsley, mint, chives, oregano, thyme

• Light: 6+ hours of sun or a grow light

• Water: When top inch of soil is dry

• Avoid: Over watering, over crowding, not enough light

• Tip: Start small. Learn as you grow.

FAQ: Starting a Herb Garden Inside

Q: Can I grow a herb garden inside with no natural light?

A: Yes—use a grow light. Even small, clip-on models can do the job.

Q: What are the best herb garden indoor ideas for small flats?

A: Recycled containers, shoe organiser planters, and hanging jars are compact and renter-friendly.

Q: Can I keep supermarket herbs alive indoors?

A: Not long in their original pots. Repot with fresh soil and give them light—they’ll last much longer.

Is It Worth It Though?

Short answer—Absolutely.

Longer answer—You’ll feel a bit more human each time you snip a sprig of thyme onto your pasta. Like you’re not just surviving—but thriving (in a small, leafy, green way).

Plus, herbs make you look like you have your life together—even when your laundry says otherwise. Your friends will spot the mint plant and assume you compost and bake bread from scratch. Let them believe it—you deserve it.

💬 What Do You Think?

Got a spot for a windowsill basil yet? Or maybe you’ve got one of your own herb garden indoor ideas that actually worked—drop it in the comments. I’d genuinely love to hear it.

If this made you laugh or helped in some small way, feel free to share it. Your future, herb-growing self will thank you.