Spring is here! There is no better time to start growing your own herb garden, and it’s quite easy to do so with a bit of knowledge. Here are five top tips for growing a thriving indoor herb garden.
5 tips for growing a successful indoor herb garden
The right pots
While herbs do not need large pots, they do need pots with decent drainage as they hate their roots sitting in water. Poor drainage can lead to your herbs getting diseases such as root rot. Some herbs, like basil, prefer to have a deeper pot as their roots grow deeper than other herbs, so we recommend researching the variety of herbs you wish to grow if you are unsure.
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Less is more
Many beginner gardeners overwater their plants as they believe the more they feed them, the bigger and faster they will grow; however, this is not the case. Most plants prefer the soil to be completely dry or close to it before watering again; this creates a much healthier root system. An excellent way to tell when your plants need water is by inserting your finger into the soil to the knuckle. If the soil feels dry, it is ready for another feed. Herbs should only need water every two to three days. If your plant needs more frequent watering, it could be due to a range of issues such as too much heat, too small of a pot or low humidity.
Soil is key
The soil you use impacts the way your plants grow. Cheap, heavy soils full of bark and sticks can slow a plant’s growth as its roots will struggle to develop in heavy soil with poor drainage that traps heat. Indoor plants need good drainage as they generally get less heat and air circulation to dry the soil than outdoor plants. If you mix your own soil, adding perlite or vermiculite is essential for creating healthy soil for indoor plants. Perlite aerates the soil and improves drainage, which is perfect for seedlings. Vermiculite also aerates the soil while retaining and slowly releasing water and nutrients. If you’re buying premixed soils, we recommend purchasing a mix specifically designed for indoor growing and contains high amounts of perlite and vermiculite.
The right food
There are three primary nutrients a plant needs, nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium (NPK). Herbs need fertilisers rich in nitrogen as it promotes healthy root and plant growth. Phosphorus and potassium are essential – no plant can survive without them; however, nitrogen is the most beneficial nutrient when growing herbs. We recommend using fertilisers high in nitrogen, such as fish or seaweed extract fertilisers.
The right environment
Ensure your herbs receive six to eight hours of strong sunlight every day otherwise they will grow long and weak as they use energy to stretch for more light rather than developing a healthy root system and strong stem. Herbs thrive the most in temperatures between 15-20 degrees and freeze if exposed to cold temperatures. Ensure there is adequate air circulating the plant as it prevents diseases and promotes strong stem growth. Humidity is also important to keep your plants lush and green.
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Love the abstract art featured on our Pop Up Pots? Meet the artist Jackie Anderson
