For those who love the great outdoors, winter in Nebraska can be long, dark, and disheartening. With a new year, however, comes new hope—and perhaps a new hobby. While plants are bare and withering in the snow, some opt for a bit of greenery inside and plant herb gardens. The idea of committing to gardening may seem daunting, but small herb plants are easily manageable. This is a fun, unique winter project that provides fresh cooking ingredients year-round and can help with healthy eating habits and saving money on groceries.
When considering growing herbs indoors, take into account the lighting they will need to grow. A south-facing window is ideal, as most herbs will need at least four hours of direct sunlight each day. If such a natural light source is not available, artificial lighting will do the trick. Plants express phototropism, a phenomenon in which they will physically lean toward the strongest source of light to get the most energy. If this occurs, try turning the pots periodically to counteract excessive bending.
Next, decide which herbs will go in the mini garden. Some popular ones that have proven to do well indoors are dill, parsley, cilantro, mint, chives, basil, lavender, oregano, and thyme. Consider the types of herbs that will be the most useful, whether they’ll be used for flavoring food or their aromatic properties. The easiest way to begin with an herb garden is to purchase a small plant to pot, rather than starting from scratch with seeds. While seeds will work eventually, it will take more time for them to sprout and grow their own leaves. Starting with a plant that already has a root system will allow for a focus on growing and expanding, rather than needing extra time and attention to care for new seeds.
Soil is also important in creating your indoor herb garden. A key aspect of growing plants, soil provides nutrients and protects the roots. A more contained garden indoors may require a different medium than regular gardening soil, which doesn’t drain as well in an indoor environment. After ensuring there are adequate holes in the bottom of the pots, fill them with an even mixture of peat moss, perlite, and vermiculite. This combination of moss and minerals will help the herbs thrive. Water them lightly so the soil stays moist but there’s no standing water in the pot. If the leaves start turning yellow, cut back on water.
When the plants are ready for harvest, pick only a few sprigs at a time as they become leafy. Regular cutbacks (with kitchen shears or fingers) encourage new growth, so harvesting multiple times may lead to increased production from one plant.
Once spring rolls around and the threat of frost is gone, feel free to move the pots outside or transfer the plants to an outdoor garden with plenty of sunlight. By this time, roots may be growing out of the drainage holes, or the plant may become too heavy to stand upright on its own. When taken care of properly, most herbs will survive even when transplanted, as long as they have enough room to grow.
This article originally appeared in the January/February 2025 issue of Omaha Home Magazine. To receive the magazine, click here to subscribe.
