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Growing herbs in the garden is great—until a layer of snow flattens them. Instead, follow this guide to growing them indoors.
1. You can grow most herbs indoors—as long as you have enough light. “If your only window faces north, invest in some grow lights,” Huston says. Other edible plants, like fruit trees, will be tough, though. “They need so much light and humidity,” Huston says. “You’re very unlikely to get any fruit.”
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2. Pick out planters with drainage holes. Each herb should have its own container; otherwise they might crowd one another out. “I recommend using a slightly deeper pot for your herbs,” Huston says. “If they were planted in the ground, they would have tons of room to grow, so a deeper pot mimics that.”
3. Huston prefers to use a one-to-one blend of sterilized potting soil and succulent soil, which tends to be more porous and airy, to ensure the dirt doesn’t get too compact and choke the herbs’ roots.
4. Dig a hole in the soil mix and insert your herbs. Place in the sunniest part of your home.
5. Keep a close eye on your herb’s soil, Huston says: “When the top of the soil is dry, it needs another drink.” But don’t pour too much water in at once—if water floods out the drainage holes, you’ve gone a bit overboard.
6. If you notice the tips of the leaves are drying out, you likely need more humidity. Either purchase a humidifier or set up a pebble tray (see page TK).
7. Prune back stems often to promote growth.
Shortcut:
Dreaming of sleek containers, made of real walnut, with built-in grow lights and sensors that ping your phone when your basil or rosemary needs a drink? Make it a reality with Denver-based Edn’s SmallGarden. $199, edntech.com
