How to Grow Herbs Indoors From Seed
- 1). Select your plant pots. Pots may be made of plastic, ceramic or metal. Choose one that complements your indoor decor. For best results, start with a 5-gallon-sized pot or bigger. The larger your pot, the larger your herb plants can grow.
- 2). Fill the pot with standard potting soil. Avoid filling the pot to its brim. A soil level 2 to 3 inches below the top edge of the pot is sufficient.
- 3). Select herb seeds. Choose herbs that you use often and have a wide range of uses. Examples include mint, basil, chives and rosemary. Seeds can be obtained in the garden department of most retailers, as well as at local nurseries. Sow the seeds according to the guidelines outlined on the seed packet as different herbs have different sowing requirements. For easiest maintenance, keep a single type of herb in each pot.
- 4). Fill a plastic spray bottle with water. Mist the surface of the potting soil until the soil is damp to the touch. Water twice daily until the herb seeds germinate. Most herbs sprout within 10 to 14 days of planting.
- 5). Provide light. Most herb species need full sunlight to thrive. Set up the pots near a large window that receives 6 to 8 hours of sunlight. If this is not possible, place the pots under a fluorescent light. A simple shop light from a local hardware store will work. Hang the light 8 inches above the potted herbs and run the light for 12 to 14 hours a day.
- 6). Add fresh air. Herbs grown indoors need air circulation to prevent fungus and mold from growing on their leaves. Open a window near the herbs, or place a small fan near the plants and direct the airflow through their leaves.
- 7). Fertilize the indoor herbs. The small nature of a pot restricts the amount of nutrients that the plant receives. Apply a liquid garden fertilizer or fish emulsion once a week. Administer according to the instructions of the fertilizer's or emulsion's specific manufacturer, as potency varies according to the product.
