There is something quite homely about having a bunch of fresh herb plants, growing happily in pots on a kitchen windowsill. Not only are herbs a beautiful décor feature, but they are also a wonderful addition for any budding chef wanting to have fresh herbs close at hand when cooking up a storm.
Herbs grown on a windowsill can grow all year round, and since they are indoors, they are kept safe from the elements while still getting more than enough sunlight to keep them flourishing.
Herb plants are some of the easiest to grow, so long as they are given a little attention from time to time. Herbs need at least 6 hours of sunlight a day (so it will do you good to have a look at how much sun your kitchen gets in a day), and they will need quite a lot of water. Luckily, if you keep the pots small, your watering will be minimal. Any pot you use should have good drainage and if you are concerned about the water going all over the place, you can place a saucer beneath the pot.
Caring For Herbs
For the most part, herbs are used to a Mediterranean climate, so they tend to enjoy dry climates, and they will need to have loose soil. When watering, the soil should never become soggy.
If you are planting thyme, bay laurel, oregano, or rosemary, you can use normal potting soil. With these herbs, it is a good idea to let the soil dry out ever so slightly before watering. Once or twice a month, you can add fertiliser, ideally the liquid type, to the plant. This little boost will really encourage the plant to grow lushly indoors.
Which herbs can be grown indoors?
Just about any common herb can be put in a pot on the windowsill. This is great because it means you have more options at your disposal, so you can be more adventurous with your cooking.
Of all the herbs, perennials are without a doubt the easiest to grow. Herbs like oregano, chives, rosemary, thyme and mint are all ideal. They are also quite easy to get your hands on. Most garden shops will stock these plants and, if you have green fingers, you can also grow the herbs from cuttings. You can also grow your herbs from seed, but if you choose this route, you’ll have to be patient.
Along with sunlight and water, you will also need to make sure that there is decent air flow, something that can be quite rare in a small, enclosed kitchen, which is another reason why the plant needs to be on a windowsill.
The Best Windowsill Herbs
Now that you know what is necessary for growing herbs on a windowsill, it is time to choose which herbs you’d like to grow. These are some of the best.
Mint
Anyone who cooks lamb knows how important it is to have fresh mint readily available. And not only is mint a popular garnishing and simply wonderful for sauces, but it is also used for medicinal purposes. Leaves and sprigs can make for delicious and refreshing teas, and when the plant is placed in your home, it can give off the most lovely fragrance.
To keep your mint healthy, you should make sure that the herb is kept in moist soil, and that it gets a fairly decent amount of light. Mint is quite suitable for South Africa’s intense summer climates, as it can easily grow well in temperatures above 30 degrees Celsius.
Oregano
Is pizza and pasta really complete without a little oregano? Interestingly, oregano is part of the mint family, and, like mint, it is suitable for sauces and garnishes. The herb is well paired with tomatoes and when dried out, it has a far stronger flavour.
Oregano needs about the same amount and type of care as a mint plant. This herb should be watered only when it starts getting dry, and it will need quite a bit of light each day, particularly strong light.
Rosemary
The earthy fragrance of rosemary is both comforting and homely. The plant, once it gets going, can grow into a massive bush, but when planted in a pot, it should be fairly easy to keep it in the shape and size that you want it to be. The leaves and stalks of the rosemary plant, can be used when cooking pork, chicken and lamb, while it can also spruce up oil blends.
When growing rosemary, it will do good to grow the plants in a cooler place that gets a good amount of sunlight each day. Although rosemary prefers cooler temperatures, the plant grows well in hotter places as well.
Chives
Chives have a delicious onion flavour and it’s often used as a finishing touch to certain dishes. To successfully grow chives, you will need to get your hands on some organic soil and give the herb loads of sunlight. Occasionally snipping leaves that look as though they are drooping will encourage the herb to sprout new shoots.
Basil
Again not your everyday herb, basil is nevertheless an interesting addition to any kitchen. It can be added to salads and sandwiches, and it goes very well with tomatoes. Often, basil is used to make pesto which, if you can perfect it, is not only a wonderful addition to your cooking ingredients but it also makes a great personal gift.
Parsley
Parsley is one of the best known and one of the most used of all the common herbs. It’s not always used for cooking, per se, but it is another popular garnish, adding a beautiful touch of colour to finish off any dish. Parsley is super easy to grow and it is sold in just about every garden shop. But the best thing about parsley? It needs very little attention and it doesn’t even need all that much light. The down side is that the herb is a bit of a slow grower and as such you should take it easy with the clippings.
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