Different types of green plants.

What You Need to Know About the Herbs Plants

Herbs are grown to add flavor and inter­est to food, as well as for their medicinal value. Those chosen for indoor growing, have also been selected for their culinary and visual appeal. As sun-lovers, they will do best on a bright windowsill — ideally in the kitchen so that they are handy when needed — or perhaps in a well-lit living room or sunroom.

Individual pots may be grouped together to maintain humidity (important for soft-leaved herbs, such as basil), or planted in groups in larger containers. The herbs listed all have similar cultivation requirements.


Bay Laurel Plant - Lauraceae Laurus Nobilis.

What You Need to Know About the Bay Laurel Plant – Lauraceae Laurus Nobilis

A slow-growing, woody plant, which originally comes from the Mediter­ranean, bay may grow to a 30 ft. (9 m) tree, but often stays short and stubby.

It responds well to clipping to shape and grows well in a tub. The aro­matic, oval leaves are a glossy mid­green and clusters of small yellow flowers often appear in spring.


Garden Mint - I. Abiatae Mentha Spicata.

What You Need to Know About the Garden Mint – I. Abiatae Mentha Spicata

Originally from southern and central Europe, many varieties of spearmint or garden mint can be grown indoors. Try also peppermint, M. x piperata, or apple mint, M. suaveolens, which has a pale green and cream variegated form.

Outdoors, these hardy perenni­als grow up to 2 ft. (60 cm) high arid become invasive. Indoor plants will quickly fill a small pot, so prepare new plants by rooting cuttings.


What You Need to Know About the Lemon Thyme – Labiatae Thymus x Citriordorus

A twiggy, upright shrub, lemon thyme forms a compact cushion of masses of oval leaves and pale purple flowers up to 30cm (12in) high. When crushed, the leaves give off a sharp lemon scent and have a warming flavor.

Size: Given under individual species.

Light: At least six hours of direct sun­light every day.

Temperature: Warm room; 60—70°F (15—21°C).

Moisture: Keep moist at all times.

Feeding: Use standard liquid fertilizer every two weeks in spring, once a month in summer.

Propagation: Sow basil and parsley; take cuttings of bay and mint; sow, divide roots, or layer thyme.

Special needs: Basil arid thyme enjoy lots of direct sunlight, while chives and parsley like a bright position but a cooler atmosphere of about 60°F (15°C). Mint does not like hot sun at noon, and needs cool, moist soil. Turn the plants daily indoors to prevent them from becoming one-sided. These herbs enjoy fresh air, but should be kept out of drafts.