Get a list of herb plants which can be easily grown in your small garden, in your kitchen or in the backyard. These herbs are plants with benefits. They are essential for our daily life to supply essential nutrients.
Some of the herb plants are having extra benefits like, repelling mosquitos, cleaning indoor air etc.
These plants are mainly grown outdoor, so when you start your indoor herb garden you need to take special care for getting proper sunlight, water and nutrients.
1. BASIL
Botanical Name : Ocimum Basilicum, Ocimum sanctum.
Benefits: A herb with highly fragrant leaves as well as health benefits. It is also used as seasoning for a variety of foods. It is a valuable source of Iron and Vitamin A. Basil also acts as an excellent mosquito repellent. Because of its health benefits, it is given a status of a holy herb in many countries. There are mainly four varieties of basil namely Mediterranean or sweet basil, Asian basil, Lemon basil and Thai basil. More tips to grow basil here :- Growing basil indoor
Characteristics: Mediterranean sweet basil has light green leaves and is mild and possesses sweet clove like flavour. Hence it is used extensively in the cuisines all over the world. Asian basil has large stem, purple leaves and pink flowers. It has a strong clove like flavour. Lemon basil has got lemon flavour and hence the name. Thai basil is similar to Asian basil but possesses pointed light green leaves and a sweet aroma.
Climate: Basil grows best under warm, tropical climates. Basil can be grown indoors or outdoors.
Type of Soil: Requires well-drained medium rich soil for optimum growth.
Methods of propagation: By seeds, stem cuttings.
Harvesting: The best time to harvest is right when the plant starts to bud (before the flowers bloom).
2. MINT
Botanical Name : Mentha spp.
Benefits: Mint is a herb with several health benefits and this forms a solid reason for you to grow it in your own home. Health benefits of mint is that it makes digestion easy, and is an excellent remedy for nausea and cough. Mint oil possesses antiseptic properties. It is used for seasoning of a variety of dishes. It is a well known mouth freshener. Mint, when planted indoors, helps in air purification. The aroma helps to repel pests. For more information read our article on why is mint good to use for aquaponics.
Characteristics: Mint is a perennial herb. Color of the leaves range from dark green to purple. Flowers are shade of white or lavender.
Climate: Mint doesn’t require much sunlight. It grows best in partial shade.
Type of Soil: Mint requires moist, well-drained and medium rich soil.
Methods of propagation: By stem cuttings and division.
Harvesting: Harvesting of one mint plant can be done two or three times in one growing season. Harvesting can be done anytime; just pick the leaves as you need them.
3. THYME
Botanical Name : Thymus vulgaris.
Benefits: The flowers, leaves and oil of thyme are can be used for the treatment of diarrhoea, stomach ache, arthritis, sore throat, cough, bronchitis etc. It is also a culinary herb, used in culinary seasoning. Thyme also acts as a mosquito repellent. More details about growing thyme here :- How to grow thyme
Characteristics: A perennial herb with oval or elliptical leaves. Flowers are light pink. The plant looks like a shrub with woody stems.
Climate: Thyme prefers a mild climate. It is a herb which can survive most winter conditions. Requires full sunlight. It can be planted indoors or outdoors.
Type of Soil: Light, well-drained alkaline soil is best suited for thyme.
Methods of propagation: By seeds, stem cuttings.
Harvesting: Thyme can be harvested anytime throughout the summer.
4. CHIVES
Botanical Name : Allium schoenoprasum.
Benefits: The leaves are used in herb vinegars. It’s a culinary herb used mainly in salads, which gives it a particular flavour. The slight aroma of this plant helps in repelling carrot fly, Japanese beetle etc. Chives are an excellent source of vitamin A. More details about growing chives here : – how to grow chives indoor
Characteristics: Chives have fine green onion-like leaves. The flowers are lavender in color. The flowers look like pom-poms, which is edible. It is a perennial herb.
Climate: Chives prefer full sun. They grow very slowly in cold temperatures.
Type of Soil: Chives grow best in well-drained medium rich soil.
Methods of propagation: By seeds or by division. Seeds germinate slowly whereas divided clumps increase rapidly. Chives should be divided every two or three years.
Harvesting: Chives can be harvested 30 days after division or 60 days after seeding. The leaves should be cut down to the base while harvesting.
5. ROSEMARY
Botanical Name: Rosmarinus officinalis.
Benefits: Rosemary is a herb with aromatic leaves used in seasoning of foods and also in aromatherapy. It has numerous health benefits too. When planted indoors, it helps in air purification.Here is youtube video which explain how to grow rosemary
Characteristics: Rosemary is a tender perennial with dark-green needle like leaves. The leaves are woolly-white in color on the underside, with small pale blue flowers.
Climate: Rosemary requires full sun for optimum growth. They prefer cold temperatures and are often grown indoors in containers.
Type of Soil: Well-drained medium rich alkaline soil.
Methods of propagation: By seeds or by cuttings. Seeds are slow to germinate.
Harvesting: Prune the stems to use it fresh, whenever necessary.
6. SAGE
Botanical Name: Salvia officinalis.
Benefits: Sage is a culinary herb which can be planted indoors or outdoors. Sage is an excellent anti-oxidant and helps in improving brain functions. Also helps in lowering blood glucose and cholesterol. Because of its pleasant aroma, sage is used in cosmetics and soap. More details here: – how to grow sage indoor
Characteristics: Sage is a perennial herb with gray-green oblong leaves. The flowers are purple in color. The leaves have a leathery or pebbly appearance.
Climate: Sage requires full sunlight. Avoid humid conditions.
Type of Soil: Well-drained medium rich alkaline soil.
Methods of propagation: By seeds, cuttings and division. Propagation by stem cuttings is the most commonly adopted practice.
Harvesting: During the first year, harvest lightly to ensure full growth. After that, harvesting can be done upto three times in a season.
7. DILL
Botanical Name: Anethum graveolens.
Benefits: Dill is used as a flavouring agent in some dishes. Its seeds have more flavour than the leaves. Dill provides a tangy flavour to pickles and salads. The health benefits include improved digestion, relief from insomnia, diarrhoea, respiratory disorders and even cancer. It is also good for oral care. Here is more tips:- growing and harvesting dill
Characteristics: Dill is an annual herb with feathery blue-green leaves and small yellow flowers. Dill is planted outdoors only.
Climate: Dill grows best under full sunlight. It prefers warm climate.
Type of Soil: Well-drained medium rich soil.
Methods of propagation: Propagation is by seeds. It is a self-sowing plant. The seeds can be sown directly in the garden or in a well-manured pot.
Harvesting: Harvesting can be done as soon as the plant has 4 to 5 leaves.
8. TARRAGON
Botanical Name: Artemisia drancunculus.
Benefits: Tarragon is a culinary herb used as a flavouring agent, mainly in Mediterranean cuisines. It is also a rich source of Vitamin A, Vitamin C and minerals like Calcium, Manganese etc. Tarragon is an excellent appetizer. Also is rich in phytonutrients and antioxidants; which improves health.
Characteristics: Tarragon is a perennial herb which does not set seed. They have smooth, olive green colored narrow leaves. A bushy plant with small branches.
Climate: Grows well under full sun to partial shade. Tarragon doesn’t like hot and humid climates.
Type of Soil: Well-drained medium rich soil.
Methods of propagation: By cuttings and by division.
Harvesting: Harvesting can be done regularly. Tarragon is best used fresh in the summer.
9. GREEK OREGANO
Botanical Name: Origanum vulgare ssp. hirtum.
Benefits: Oregano is a culinary herb with strong peppery flavour. Commonly used in seasoning of Italian dishes. It is rich in disease-fighting anti-oxidants. Oregano is a rich source of Manganese and Vitamin K, which helps in improving bone strength.
Characteristics: Oregano is a perennial herb with light green, oval shaped leaves. Flowers, in the form of clusters, are white in color.
Climate: Grows under full sun to partial shade. Oregano prefers climates with low humidity. Grown in containers.
Type of Soil: Well-drained medium rich soil.
Methods of propagation: By cuttings.
Harvesting: Harvesting can be done anytime, although the flavour is most intense before the plants bloom.
10. PARSLEY
Botanical Name: Petroselinum crispum.
Benefits: Parsley is a culinary herb, filled with antioxidants. It is also a rich source of Vitamin A and C. Helps in toning bones, effective for arthritis. Also helps to flush out unwanted toxins from body, thus helping kidney function. The most popular varieties of Parsley are curly parsley and Italian parsley. Curly parsley is very attractive whereas Italian parsley has more flavour. Check out more about how to grow parsley indoor from gardeningknowhow
Characteristics: Annual or biennial herb. Leaves are bright green in color. Flowers appear during spring time.
Climate: Grows under full sun to partial shade.
Type of Soil: Well-drained medium rich soil.
Methods of propagation: By seeds, but are slow to germinate. Seeds are sown directly into pots.
Harvesting: Harvesting can be done when the leaf stems have developed three or four segments.
11. ROSE GERANIUM
Botanical Name: Pelargonium xasperum Rose.
Benefits: Rose Geranium, when planted indoors, helps in air purification. It is an important ingredient in aromatherapy. Some of the health benefits are blood pressure reduction, hormone balancing, relief from stress and depression, improving skin health & blood circulation and reduce blood pressure.
Characteristics: A perennial herb (only in frost free areas). Leaves are velvety and soft; mildly aromatic. Flowers are pink in color.
Climate: Rose geranium prefers warm temperate to subtropical climates.
Type of Soil: Well-drained medium rich soil.
Methods of propagation: By cuttings.
Harvesting: Harvesting can be done after shoots with four fully expanded leaves are formed.
12. SWEET WOODRUFF
Botanical Name: Galium odoratum.
Benefits: Sweet Woodruff is used as a flavouring agent in foods and beverages. The dried leaves have got a fresh vanilla-like aroma and hence can be used as an air freshener. It has got many health benefits. Some of these are helps in treating disease relating to lungs, stomach, liver and heart. Also helps in blood purification, reducing insomnia and relief from migraine. Sweet Woodruff also helps in healing of cuts and wounds.
Characteristics: A hardy perennial herb with glossy green leaves. Leaves appear in star-shaped whorls. Stem is slightly hairy and brittle. Flowers are small and pure white in color.
Climate: Prefers shady area and can tolerate temperature as low as -25oC
Type of Soil: Well-drained rich soil.
Methods of propagation: By cuttings and by division. Commonly propagated by division.
Harvesting: Sweet woodruff can be harvested anytime but, for the best fragrance, harvesting should be done just before it flowers.
13. LAVENDER
Botanical Name: Lavandula angustifolia.
Benefits: Lavender is an excellent mosquito repellent. Helps in air purification. It has got a clean aroma, hence widely used in perfumes. Lavender has anti-septic and anti-inflammatory properties, which helps in healing cuts and bruises. Health benefits of lavender include reduce tension, relieve pain, cleaning of scalp, improve blood circulation and treatment of respiratory problems.
Characteristics: A hardy perennial woody herb with narrow gray-green leaves and spikes of lavender colored flowers. Some varieties of lavender has pink or white colored flowers.
Climate: Prefers warm climate; can tolerate mild winters.
Type of Soil: Well-drained alkaline sandy loam.
Methods of propagation: By seeds and by cuttings. Cuttings are difficult to develop roots; hence seeding is commonly adopted for propagation.
Harvesting: Harvesting can be done when the flowers bloom; that is, during spring season.
14. WINTER SAVORY
Botanical Name: Satureja montana.
Benefits: Savory herb is an excellent source of minerals and vitamins that are essential for optimum health. It contains anti-oxidants and also helps in controlling cholesterol. Winter savory also has antiseptic properties. It has got a sharp, pungent flavour, so less used in cooking compared to other herbs. Savory is commonly used to season salads, pasta, mayonnaise, various sauces and sandwiches. Another variety of savory called summer savory is also available; but has less flavour than winter savory.
Characteristics: A hardy perennial shrub like herb with short dark-green oblong leaves and small white blossoms.
Climate: This herb can tolerate different climate conditions. Requires full sunlight for optimum growth.
Type of Soil: Well-drained medium rich soil.
Methods of propagation: By seeds and by cuttings.
Harvesting: Winter Savory can be harvested all year round. The ideal time is just before the blooming starts.
15. LEMON BALM
Botanical Name: Melissa officinalis.
Benefits: Lemon Balm is called ‘calming herb’ because it helps to reduce anxiety, promote sleep and improve symptoms of indigestion. The leaves have a strong lemon-like smell and thus in repelling insects including mosquitoes. This refreshing lemon scented leaves tastes excellent in teas. The aroma of this herb attracts bees; which helps in pollinating rest of the herb garden. Lemon balm is also rich in anti oxidants.
Characteristics: An easily seeding hardy perennial herb. It spreads very rapidly. Leaves appear wrinkled; with dark green color. Has small creamy-yellow flowers.
Climate: Lemon balm grows well in all climates; but prefers drier climate.
Type of Soil: Moist well-drained medium rich soil.
Methods of propagation: By seeds, cuttings and division.
Harvesting: Lemon Balm can be harvested just before the blooms develop, that is in May and June. It is better to harvest leaves during morning for fresh flavour.
16. SALAD BURNET
Botanical Name: Poterium sanguisorba.
Benefits: As the name suggests, Salad Burnet is a culinary herb often used in salad dressing. Its leaves give a cucumber like flavour to the salad. It also helps in healing cuts and wounds by stopping the blood flow. Salad Burnet helps in destroying disease causing organisms in the stomach. It is also believed to have anti-inflammatory properties. It also contains vitamins C, A and some of the B-complex ones, along with the minerals iron and potassium. Learn more here: – salad brunet growing tips.
Characteristics: A hardy perennial herb, very attractive in a garden. Leaves are medium-green, with rounded leaflets, along a slender stem. Flowers are in the form of pinkish tufts, with no notable petals.
Climate: Salad Burnet can be grown in full sun to partial shade. It grows best in moderately moist conditions.
Type of Soil: Dry sandy loam.
Methods of propagation: By seeds.
Harvesting: Harvesting can be done when the plant is about 12 cm tall. For best flavour, harvest them when the leaves are young and tender.
17. CILANTRO
Botanical Name: Coriandrum sativum.
Benefits: Cilantro is a well-known culinary herb used in almost all types of cuisines all around the world. The leaves of cilantro has got a very distinctive pungent flavour. The seed of Cilantro plant is known as coriander, which is used as a spice. Although cilantro and coriander are from the same plant, they differ in their flavours and hence used differently. Cilantro is known to have many disease preventing and health-promoting properties. It possess good amounts of antioxidants, essential oils, vitamins, and dietary fiber. The herb is also a good source of minerals like potassium, calcium, manganese, iron, and magnesium. Check out this, if you like to know more tips about here : – how to care and plant cilantro indoor.
Characteristics: Cilantro is an annual herb. It possesses dark green soft leaves that vary in shape; they are broad-lobed near the base, and slender and feathery higher up near its flowering stems. Flowers are in the form of umbels, white or pink in color. Seeds are tiny, oval shaped, yellowish brown colored with ridges and a pleasant aroma.
Climate: Warm climate is best suited for cilantro to flourish.
Type of Soil: Well drained rich soil.
Methods of propagation: By seeds and by cuttings. Propagation by seeds is the most common method. They don’t root easily from cuttings.
Harvesting: Harvesting can be done when the plant is about 15 cm tall. Harvest leaves from bottom through one third the height of the plant.
18. LOVAGE
Botanical Name: Levisticum officinale.
Benefits: Lovage leaves have a pungent celery-like flavour; hence used in seasoning of soups, salads and stews. It is considered as a natural remedy for kidney stones. Lovage is a natural blood cleanser, has anti inflammatory properties as well. Used in treatment of certain skin diseases, rheumatism, migraine and throat ache. More detailed tips here – lovage growing tips.
Characteristics: Lovage is a hardy perennial with dark green shiny leaves and umbels of small greenish yellow flowers.
Climate: Lovage grows best in sunny to partly shaded areas.
Type of Soil: Moist, well drained, medium rich soil.
Methods of propagation: By seeds and by cuttings.
Harvesting: Lovage leaves can be harvested whenever you need them. For fresh flavour, harvest leaves in the morning, just after the dew has disappeared. Harvest seeds during late summer.
19. MARJORAM
Botanical Name: Origanum majorana.
Benefits: Marjoram is a culinary herb which has got many health benefits. Medicines are made from marjoram’s flowers, leaves, and oil. Tea made from marjoram leaves or flowers is an excellent remedy for cough, cold, sore throat and various digestive problems like poor appetite, intestinal gas and stomach cramps. Marjoram also improves blood circulation. Other uses include treating diabetes, insomnia,muscle spasms, headache, and back pain. In manufacturing, marjoram oil is used as a fragrance in soaps and cosmetics. More about Marjoram from gardeningknowhow :- how to grow marjoram.
Characteristics: Marjoram is a tender perennial with small gray-green aromatic leaves. Flowers are white in color, with knotted buds of overlapping bracts.
Climate: Marjoram prefers warm, less humid climates. They can’t survive freezing temperatures.
Type of Soil: Well drained medium rich soil.
Methods of propagation: By seeds and by cuttings.
Harvesting: Marjoram is ready for harvest 60 days after sowing, that is when the plant is about 15cm tall. Flavour is at its best when the leaves are harvested just before blooming.
Let us know which herb from this collection that you started growing indoor.Having a living garden in your kitchen will give an awesome appeal.
Thank you so much! We are starting a school garden and are coming up with good plants to use in it. This article was very helpful