Windowsill Herb Garden: Best Plants and Growing Tips

Creating a windowsill herb garden offers the joy of fresh savory flavors and greenery indoors right in your kitchen.

Growing a windowsill herb garden is an easy way to have fresh kitchen herbs right at your fingertips. Many herbs grow well in small pots and containers. They will thrive on a sunny windowsill in a kitchen or on a deck or patio.

Most herbs prefer moist soil. But don’t let the soil get waterlogged. It’s best to grow them in a pot or container with a hole in the bottom that lets excess water drain away. A plant saucer underneath the pot will keep your herb pots from making a wet mess on your windowsill!

Different Plant Types for Your Windowsill Herb Garden

It’s important to decide which specific plant varieties to grow in a windowsill herb garden. But first, let’s take a moment to review the differences between annual, biennial, and perennial plants. These three plant types refer to the life cycle of the plants, which affects how they grow, bloom, and need to be replaced or maintained.

Annual plants complete their entire life cycle in one growing season. Annuals germinate from seed, grow, bloom, produce seeds, and then die— all within a single year. In a windowsill herb garden, annual herbs such as basil and cilantro need to be replanted each year if you want to continue enjoying their fresh flavors.

Biennial plants complete their life cycle over two years. In the first year, biennials focus on growing foliage and establishing strong roots. It’s not until the second year that they bloom, produce seeds, and then die.

Parsley is a common biennial herb, although it is often treated as an annual in culinary gardens for its leaves harvested in the first year. The plant will flower in its second year if allowed to continue growing.

Perennial plants live for more than two years, returning and regrowing each spring from their rootstock. Perennials, such as mint, rosemary, thyme, chives, and oregano, may die back to the ground in winter (in colder climates). But they will re-emerge from their roots as the weather warms.

In a windowsill herb garden, perennials provide a long-term investment in your culinary herb collection, offering fresh flavors year after year without the need for replanting. They may take more time to establish and reach full productivity compared to annuals. But perennials can form the backbone of a sustainable garden.

Editor’s Note: Herbs are not the only edible plants you can grow indoors, on a porch, or on a patio. There are lots of tropical plants and fruit trees that are great for growing in pots and containers. Read Grow Edible Houseplants and Potted Fruit Trees for more information.

Best Plants for a Windowsill Herb Garden

Here’s a guide to some of the best herbs for your windowsill kitchen garden, including details on their life cycles.

1. Basil

Annual. Basil is a popular choice for any windowsill herb garden due to its fragrant leaves and preference for bright sunlight. It thrives in moist, well-drained soil and needs at least six hours of light daily. Being an annual, basil completes its life cycle in one season. But you can harvest leaves regularly to encourage a bushier growth before it flowers and seeds.

2. Chives for Your Windowsill Herb Garden

Perennial. Chives grow well in moderate to bright light and prefer slightly moist, well-drained soil. As perennials, they return year after year, offering a mild onion flavor to dishes. Harvest by cutting the outer leaves, which allows the inner ones to continue growing.

3. Mint

Perennial. Mint is known for its vigorous growth. It can thrive in various light conditions, though it prefers bright, indirect light. It’s a perennial herb that can easily take over your garden if not contained in its pot. Mint prefers moist, well-drained soil and offers a refreshing flavor to a variety of recipes.

4. Parsley

Biennial. Parsley is a great choice for a windowsill herb garden. Parsley enjoys full to partial sunlight and evenly moist, well-drained soil. Although it is biennial, parsley is often grown as an annual in cooler climates. But when planted in a garden setting, it typically completes its life cycle in two years. In the first year, it produces edible leaves. If left to grow into the second year, it will flower and seed. Harvest the outer leaves to encourage continued growth.

5. Cilantro

Annual. Cilantro requires moist, well-drained soil. It can grow in partial shade. As an annual, cilantro completes its life cycle from seed to seed within a single growing season. It tends to bolt and go to seed quickly in hot conditions, so frequent harvesting of leaves is recommended to prolong its growing period.

6. Thyme

Perennial. Thyme is a hardy herb that prefers full sun and well-drained soil. As a perennial, it can provide aromatic leaves for several years, making it a staple in any windowsill herb garden. Thyme is drought-tolerant once established and requires less watering than other herbs.

7. Oregano for Your Windowsill Herb Garden

Perennial. Oregano thrives in full sun but can adapt to partial shade. It’s a perennial herb, offering a warm, aromatic flavor essential in many cuisines. Oregano requires well-drained soil and occasional watering once established, making it a relatively low-maintenance herb.

8. Rosemary

Perennial. Rosemary is another sun-loving, drought-tolerant perennial that can grow quite large over time. It prefers well-drained soil and infrequent watering. Regular pruning not only keeps the plant manageable but also encourages the growth of its aromatic leaves. Use the leaves as an excellent for flavoring a variety of dishes.

Quick Growing Tips for a Windowsill Herb Garden

• Ensure your windowsill receives adequate sunlight; most herbs need at least six hours of light daily.
• Use pots with drainage holes to prevent waterlogged soil.
• Maintain moist, but not soggy, soil conditions for your herbs.
• Apply a balanced, all-purpose liquid fertilizer every few weeks to nourish your herbs.
• Regularly harvesting your herbs will promote growth and prevent them from becoming leggy.

A windowsill herb garden not only adds beauty to your kitchen but also elevates your culinary creations with fresh flavors. With these tips, you’re well-equipped to start and maintain a thriving herb garden right on your kitchen windowsill.

Home Garden and Homestead is a participant in the Amazon Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. Click here to see Windowsill Herb Garden Kits on Amazon.