Indoor Herbs And Vegetables: 10 Easy Options For Your Home Garden
Growing herbs and vegetables indoors is a rewarding way to enjoy fresh produce year-round, regardless of your outdoor space or climate conditions. Whether you’re looking to add fresh flavors to your cooking or simply want to experience the joy of growing your own food, indoor gardening offers a practical solution that fits into any lifestyle.
Indoor herb and vegetable gardens provide numerous benefits: they’re space-efficient, allow for year-round harvesting, reduce grocery expenses, and add living beauty to your home environment. Plus, there’s nothing quite like the satisfaction of snipping fresh herbs for dinner from plants you’ve grown yourself.
In this article, we’ll explore the 10 best herbs and vegetables to grow indoors, along with practical tips for setting up your indoor garden and ensuring your plants thrive. From low-maintenance options for beginners to more challenging varieties for experienced gardeners, you’ll discover the perfect plants to start your indoor growing journey.
1. Basil
Basil is one of the most popular and rewarding herbs to grow indoors. This aromatic herb thrives in warm, sunny conditions and produces flavorful leaves that can elevate countless dishes.
Key Growing Tips:
– Place in a south-facing window that receives at least 6 hours of sunlight daily
– Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged
– Pinch off flower buds to encourage leafy growth
– Harvest regularly by pinching leaves from the top to promote bushier growth
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Fast-growing with high yield | Sensitive to cold temperatures |
| Intensely flavorful | Requires consistent moisture |
| Multiple varieties available (sweet, Thai, purple) | May attract aphids indoors |
Basil works wonderfully in an Aerogarden or similar hydroponic system, where it can grow abundantly. Many indoor gardeners report success with basil year-round, making it a staple for those who enjoy Italian cuisine, pesto, or fresh garnishes.
2. Mint
Mint is a vigorous, aromatic herb that adapts well to indoor growing conditions. Its rapid growth makes it perfect for beginners looking for quick results.
Key Growing Tips:
– Plant in its own container as mint spreads aggressively
– Provide moderate sunlight (east or west-facing window)
– Keep soil evenly moist
– Harvest regularly to prevent legginess
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Extremely easy to grow | Can become invasive if not contained |
| Tolerates lower light conditions | May need frequent repotting due to rapid growth |
| Multiple varieties (peppermint, spearmint, chocolate) | Can attract spider mites in dry conditions |
Mint makes a refreshing addition to teas, cocktails, desserts, and Mediterranean dishes. Its adaptability to indoor conditions makes it an excellent choice for year-round cultivation, even in apartments with limited natural light.
3. Lettuce & Salad Greens
Lettuce and other salad greens like spinach and arugula are among the easiest vegetables to grow indoors, offering quick harvests and minimal space requirements.
Key Growing Tips:
– Provide 4-6 hours of indirect sunlight or grow under LED lights
– Keep soil consistently moist
– Plant seeds densely for “cut and come again” harvesting
– Harvest outer leaves first to extend production
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Quick harvest (30-45 days from seed) | Prefers cooler temperatures |
| Can be grown in shallow containers | May bolt (go to seed) in warm conditions |
| Continuous harvesting possible | Requires consistent moisture |
Many indoor gardeners report success with growing lettuce in window boxes, on countertops, or under grow lights. The ability to harvest just what you need for a salad makes this an economical choice that reduces food waste while providing the freshest possible greens.
4. Cilantro (Coriander)
Cilantro brings bright, citrusy flavor to dishes and grows relatively well indoors when given the right conditions.
Key Growing Tips:
– Provide 4-5 hours of direct sunlight daily
– Keep soil consistently moist but not soggy
– Plant new seeds every 2-3 weeks for continuous harvest
– Harvest by cutting stems near the base
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Fast growing (3-4 weeks to harvest) | Short life cycle (bolts quickly) |
| Both leaves and seeds (coriander) are usable | Can be finicky about conditions |
| Compact growth habit | Doesn’t transplant well |
According to Reddit users in r/Cooking, cilantro grows quite well indoors when succession planted every few weeks. This ensures you always have fresh cilantro on hand for Mexican, Indian, and Southeast Asian dishes.
5. Chives
Chives are hardy, long-lived perennial herbs that add a mild onion flavor to dishes and grow well in indoor conditions.
Key Growing Tips:
– Place in a south or west-facing window
– Water when the top inch of soil feels dry
– Divide plants when they become crowded
– Cut leaves 2 inches from the base when harvesting
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Long-lived and low maintenance | Slower growing than some herbs |
| Pest resistant | May go dormant if light is insufficient |
| Regrows quickly after harvesting | Benefits from occasional fertilizing |
While some Reddit users suggest chives do better outdoors, many indoor gardeners have success growing them year-round in bright indoor locations. Their ability to regrow after cutting makes them an economical choice for adding fresh flavor to dishes.
6. Cherry Tomatoes
Cherry tomatoes are one of the most rewarding vegetables to grow indoors, offering sweet fruits that can be harvested directly from your kitchen.
Key Growing Tips:
– Provide 8+ hours of bright light (supplemental grow lights recommended)
– Use a deep container (at least 12 inches)
– Support with stakes or cages
– Hand-pollinate flowers by gently shaking the plant or using a small brush
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| High yield in small space | Requires significant light |
| Varieties specifically bred for containers available | Needs regular fertilizing |
| Satisfying to grow and harvest | May attract pests indoors |
According to r/simpleliving, cherry tomatoes are among the more manageable vegetables to grow indoors, especially compact varieties like “Tiny Tim” or “Micro Tom” that are specifically bred for container growing. While they require more care than herbs, the reward of fresh tomatoes year-round makes them worth the effort.
7. Microgreens
Microgreens are young vegetable greens harvested just after the first “true leaves” develop. They’re packed with nutrients and flavor, making them perfect for indoor growing.
Key Growing Tips:
– Use a shallow tray with drainage
– Sprinkle seeds densely on moist growing medium
– Cover seeds lightly until germination
– Harvest when 2-3 inches tall by cutting just above soil level
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Extremely fast harvest (7-14 days) | One-time harvest (doesn’t regrow) |
| Minimal space required | Requires consistent moisture |
| Highly nutritious | Needs regular reseeding for continuous supply |
Microgreens are mentioned in r/simpleliving as one of the easiest foods to grow indoors. They require minimal investment and provide quick results, making them perfect for beginners or those wanting nutritious greens with minimal effort.
8. Scallions (Green Onions)
Scallions are incredibly easy to grow indoors and can even be regrown from grocery store scraps, making them one of the most economical indoor crops.
Key Growing Tips:
– Place root ends in water or plant in soil
– Provide at least 4 hours of direct sunlight
– Change water regularly if growing hydroponically
– Harvest outer leaves as needed, leaving the center to continue growing
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Can be regrown from kitchen scraps | Flavor may diminish after multiple harvests |
| Continuous harvest for months | May become leggy in insufficient light |
| Grows well in water or soil | Eventually needs replacing |
Many indoor gardeners keep scallions growing perpetually on their windowsills. They require minimal care and add fresh flavor to countless dishes, making them one of the most practical indoor edibles.
9. Rosemary
Rosemary is a fragrant, woody herb that can thrive indoors with the right conditions, providing year-round access to this Mediterranean staple.
Key Growing Tips:
– Provide 6-8 hours of bright, direct sunlight
– Allow soil to dry between waterings
– Use well-draining soil with added perlite or sand
– Maintain good air circulation to prevent powdery mildew
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Long-lived perennial | Slow growing |
| Drought tolerant | Requires significant light |
| Aromatic and ornamental | Can be susceptible to powdery mildew indoors |
While some Reddit users in r/Cooking suggest rosemary does better outdoors, many indoor gardeners successfully grow it in bright locations. Its drought tolerance makes it forgiving of occasional neglect, though it does require more light than many other indoor herbs.
10. Cucumbers (Compact Varieties)
Compact cucumber varieties can be grown successfully indoors, offering fresh, crisp vegetables from your own home.
Key Growing Tips:
– Choose bush or compact varieties specifically bred for containers
– Provide 8+ hours of bright light (supplemental lighting recommended)
– Use a 5-gallon container minimum with good drainage
– Train vines on a trellis or support
– Hand-pollinate flowers for better fruit set
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| High-yielding in small space | Requires significant light |
| Fast growing | Needs regular fertilizing |
| Varieties bred specifically for containers | May attract pests indoors |
According to r/simpleliving, cucumbers can be grown successfully indoors, especially compact varieties like “Spacemaster” or “Bush Champion.” While they require more care than herbs, the satisfaction of harvesting fresh cucumbers from your windowsill makes them worth considering for more adventurous indoor gardeners.
Comparison Table: Indoor Herbs and Vegetables
| Plant | Light Needs | Water Needs | Time to Harvest | Difficulty Level | Container Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Basil | High (6+ hrs) | Moderate | 3-4 weeks | Easy | 6″ pot |
| Mint | Medium (4-5 hrs) | Moderate | 3-4 weeks | Very Easy | 8″ pot |
| Lettuce | Medium (4-6 hrs) | High | 30-45 days | Easy | Shallow tray |
| Cilantro | Medium (4-5 hrs) | Moderate | 3-4 weeks | Moderate | 6″ pot |
| Chives | Medium (4-6 hrs) | Low-Moderate | 30 days | Easy | 6″ pot |
| Cherry Tomatoes | Very High (8+ hrs) | Moderate | 60-80 days | Challenging | 12″+ pot |
| Microgreens | Medium (4-5 hrs) | High | 7-14 days | Very Easy | Shallow tray |
| Scallions | Medium (4+ hrs) | Moderate | 2-3 weeks | Very Easy | 4″ pot or water jar |
| Rosemary | High (6-8 hrs) | Low | 90+ days | Moderate | 8″ pot |
| Cucumbers | Very High (8+ hrs) | High | 50-70 days | Challenging | 5-gallon container |
Tips for Starting Your Indoor Herb and Vegetable Garden
Based on recommendations from Gardenary and Reddit communities, here are some essential tips for success with indoor edible gardening:
1. Choose the Right Location
Most edible plants need significant light to produce well. South-facing windows typically provide the most light, followed by west, east, and north. If natural light is limited, consider supplemental grow lights, which have become more affordable and energy-efficient in recent years.
2. Consider Hydroponic Systems
For beginners looking for a foolproof setup, hydroponic systems like Aerogarden or LetPot (recommended in r/IndoorGarden) offer excellent results with minimal effort. These systems provide ideal growing conditions and often include built-in lighting.
3. Monitor Soil Moisture Carefully
Indoor plants can dry out quickly due to heating systems or become waterlogged without proper drainage. Check moisture levels regularly by feeling the soil about an inch below the surface. Many gardeners find bottom watering (placing pots in a tray of water to absorb from below) helps maintain consistent moisture for herbs.
4. Provide Adequate Drainage
All indoor plants need good drainage to prevent root rot. Use containers with drainage holes and high-quality potting mix formulated for containers.
5. Maintain Proper Temperature and Humidity
Most herbs and vegetables prefer temperatures between 65-75°F. Be aware of cold drafts from windows or heat from radiators. Many kitchen herbs prefer higher humidity than typical indoor environments provide, so consider grouping plants together or using a humidity tray.
6. Fertilize Appropriately
Indoor plants in containers deplete nutrients quickly. Use a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer at half the recommended strength every 2-4 weeks during active growing periods.
Summary: Best Indoor Herbs and Vegetables for Different Situations
For Complete Beginners: Start with microgreens, mint, or scallions. These are highly forgiving and provide quick results with minimal investment.
For Limited Space: Focus on herbs like basil, cilantro, and chives, which offer big flavor from small plants. Microgreens and lettuce can also produce significant yields in minimal space.
For Low Light Conditions: Mint, chives, and lettuce can tolerate lower light levels than many other edibles. Consider supplemental lighting for best results.
For Year-Round Fresh Cooking: Create a diverse herb garden with basil, mint, cilantro, chives, and rosemary to cover a wide range of culinary needs.
For Maximum Self-Sufficiency: Combine quick-growing greens like lettuce with productive vegetables like cherry tomatoes and cucumbers, plus a selection of herbs for a well-rounded indoor edible garden.
Growing herbs and vegetables indoors connects you to the food you eat, provides fresh flavors year-round, and brings the satisfaction of nurturing living plants. Whether you start with a single pot of basil or create an elaborate indoor garden, the rewards of growing your own food indoors are well worth the effort.