Does your house need some fresh air? Does your dinner needs some fresh flavor? Today, I welcome Elizabeth Shields back to provide more information about herbs in your home. 

If you’re looking for a way to add some fresh flavor to your recipes, there’s no need to look any further than your own backyard (or windowsill).

Growing your own herbs at home is an easy and rewarding task with many benefits. Not only will indoor plants improve air quality, but you will also have a never-ending supply of fresh and flavorful additions to your meals, but you’ll also know exactly where they came from and how they were grown.

Fortunately, growing them doesn’t have to be limited during warmer seasons as there are many sturdy herbs to tolerate and thrive even throughout winter. In this blog post, we will discuss five of the most popular winter herbs and provide tips on how you can grow them at home successfully!

  1. Rosemary

Hands feeling the leaves of a potted rosemary plant.

Rosemary is a perennial herb that is native to the Mediterranean region. A member of the mint family, it has a powerful, pungent flavor. Rosemary can be used fresh or dried in a variety of recipes. It is commonly used in Mediterranean cuisines, such as Italian and Greek dishes, and pairs well with lamb, chicken, fish, soups, stews, and sauces. Fresh rosemary sprigs can also be used as a garnish for salads and other dishes.

This winter herb requires minimal care and is perfect if you’re looking into indoor herb gardening. They are best grown in small pots during winter and brought outdoors come summertime for further growth. If growing indoors, make sure to put your rosemary near large, bright windows that get plenty of sunlight. You can also use artificial, full-spectrum grow lights if you want.

 

  1. Oregano

Oregano is a must-have for any winter herb garden that packs a punch with its distinct zesty flare that’s usually encountered in Italian, Mexican, Greek, and Turkish recipes. Aside from lending its unique flavor to food, oregano is also popular in traditional medicine in many countries worldwide, especially in Asia.

Oregano can be propagated from seed or cuttings, but it is easier to propagate from stem cuttings. This herb is robust enough to endure winter and can be grown indoors and outdoors. If you have limited space at home, oregano is an ideal candidate to survive and prosper in a container gardening setup. It prefers full sun but can manage with partial shade. Some varieties prefer a little shade. Oregano can be harvested throughout the growing season. When harvesting oregano, snap off the stems just above where they join the leaves.

  1. Mint

Top view of a woman looking at her potted mint herbs.

There are several mint varieties that you can explore growing in your indoor herb garden for winter. From spearmint, chocolate mint, and lavender mint, your options are endless. You can use mint in various ways, but our favorite is using its fresh leaves to make a steaming cup of herbal tea to soothe the body and soul during cold winter evenings. Simply steep at least eight mint leaves in a mug with hot water. Then, wait for a few minutes until the flavor is fully infused.

Mint can be propagated from root divisions or stem cuttings. It’s a sucker for warm sunlight so place it in an area around the house that gets the most during daytime and put them under full-spectrum grow lights to make up for the darkness of winter. Molds can also grow on the soil and leaves of indoor plants so be sure to check from time to time. Water only when the topsoil feels dry to the touch or when the pot feels extra light.

  1. Thyme

Thyme is a leafy, aromatic herb that would be a dream to have in your little herb garden. You can add thyme to roasted root vegetables, like sweet potatoes and carrots, to make them more delicious. Or throw in some of this herb to make savory tart fillings, cheesy gratins, and casseroles extra mouth-watering.

Another type of low-maintenance perennial herb, you can grow thyme throughout winter. All you need is a cute little pot strategically positioned in front of a light-flooded window or a trusty grow light, and you’ve got fresh herbs you can also preserve to enjoy all year long. In addition, thyme is a drought-resistant plant, meaning it will do better when it’s under-watered than over-watered.

  1. Chives

Often confused with scallions or green onions, chives are a member of the onion family that is thinner and rounder in appearance. They have a milder onion taste and are added as a flavorful ingredient in many egg-based dishes like omelets and quiches, salads, and stir-fries.

With a hardiness level of 3 to 10, chives are certified winter herbs that can survive even when left outside during winter. Inside the home, always grow your herbs in a sunny location. Ensure the pots have holes for drainage to keep the roots from getting soaked and prevent rotting and mold growth. Once they’re established, harvest your chives by snipping the base with pruning shears.

Don’t Let Anything Stop You from Growing Your Herb Garden

A young woman working in her edible garden.

Starting your own herb garden has a lot of fantastic benefits, such as inspiring you to create more hearty, home-cooked meals for your family, and enhancing the air quality of your space which adds incredible health benefits to a clean home.

And don’t worry! Whether you’re also a homesteader with a sprawling space for planting or live in the city in an apartment with limited space and a hectic schedule, there are many creative gardening solutions out there that you can explore to get started.

Do you have other suggestions for herbs to grow in winter? We’d love to hear from you. Let us know in the comments below!