Kitchen design
A Windowsill Herb Garden for Your Kitchen
Which herbs grow well indoors, how to keep them going, and the pots and planters that work best.
Country houses had walled kitchen gardens full of herbs. A sunny windowsill is the modern version, with fresh herbs a snip away from the chopping board.
Where to buy
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Easy herbs for a windowsill
| Herb | Light | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Parsley | Bright | Picks well for months |
| Chives | Bright | Snip from the base; grows back |
| Mint | Bright to part shade | Vigorous: keep it in its own pot |
| Basil | Sunniest spot, warm | Pinch out the tips to keep it bushy |
| Thyme and rosemary | Full sun | Like dry soil; don't overwater |
Keeping them going
- Light is everything: a south- or west-facing windowsill is best.
- Water when the top of the soil is dry, and never leave pots sitting in water.
- Pick often: regular cutting keeps plants compact.
- Supermarket "living" herbs last longer if you split and repot them into bigger pots.
Pots and planters
Choose pots with drainage holes and a saucer, or a long windowsill planter. Glazed pots dry out more slowly than terracotta.
Use your parsley and chives in colcannon and Cullen skink.
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