Locating Your Herbs 

There are many herbs that can be kept as indoor plants. Conditions are not always ideal inside, and you will need to consider the environment in which they are being kept. Sources of heat can result in temperatures being too high, whilst a lack of adequate ventilation and too little light or too much light can have an adverse effect on your plants. For instance, plants on a windowsill may be overheated or burnt by direct sunlight through the window. Therefore, just as you may consider the positioning of a plant outdoors, you will need to think about the location in which you intend to keep your herbs.

Many plants are tolerant of temperature (ideally a temperature of between 10 and 23 degrees Celsius will be acceptable for the majority of herbs). You do, however, need to ensure that the temperature where they are being kept does not fluctuate too much, and that they are not exposed to drafts, especially during colder times of the year. A sudden drop in temperature can be fatal to your plant.

Herbs are commonly grown on a window sill or kitchen bench, where they can receive plenty of light and are in easy reach when you are cooking. This is an ideal way to grow small quantities of kitchen herbs. An arrangement of herbs on a kitchen windowsill is not only pretty, but depending upon your choice of herbs can also provide some pleasant fragrance to the room. For this reason, larger herbs may be grown in larger containers and located in other rooms in your home.

Looking After Your Herbs 

Other than considerations for the location of your plants, other simple steps will improve their health and longevity. Misting the plants in the morning will cool the plant and help to overcome potential moisture loss, whilst grouping plant pots together increases the humidity amongst them. Double potting with a waterproof outer container and filling the space in between the pots with moist peat will provide a moisture reservoir and also insulate the compost.

Periodically,  plants grown indoors will benefit by being taken outside and given adequate light to build up carbohydrate levels essential for the plant 's growth. Do this during warmer weather, but be careful on your timing as you do not want to expose your plant to extreme heat/weather.

Learn more

Learn more about Herbs with our Herbs eBook - a great resource for learning all about herbs, how to cultivate, propagate and much more. The eBook also includes an A to Z of selected herbs, as well as a chapter devoted to the different uses for herbs. Herbs are not only used in cooking, but many herbs also have medicinal benefits. Learn all about Medicinal Herbs in a weekend with our Short Course.