9 (Easy) Must Have Herbs to Grow in the Kitchen

I know you want to choose the best herbs to grow in the kitchen so you can have success. You want them to be easy to care for, fast-growing, and something that you will actually use.

There are so many delicious herbs out there. And I know there are endless articles online that list almost all the culinary herbs you could ever think of growing. Talk about overwhelming…

So, to make your life easier, I will let you know my top three… ok let’s make it four. 

If I were starting my first indoor herb garden today, I would grow basil, cilantro, chives, and thyme.

These herbs are easy and fast to grow. Except thyme will grow slower. but that is fine because you only need a little in your recipes anyway.

A couple of these herbs grow particularly well in low light. Which is good for most indoor herb gardening setups.

I also like that you get a good variety of flavours with this mix. Plus, I think these herbs look nice grouped together as they all have different shaped leaves and growth habits.

However, just because these are my top four herbs to grow inside, doesn’t mean that you want to grow them in your kitchen.

Maybe you don’t even like cilantro – and that’s ok.

So, I will provide you with a larger list of herbs that thrive indoors, and some criteria to choose the best herbs to grow in YOUR kitchen.

Then you can decide on your top three… or four… or five herbs to grow in the kitchen. I mean if you have the space why not right?

Keep reading so you can find out how to choose the best kitchen herbs to grow. Let’s start off with a list of good options.

The 12 Easiest Herbs to Grow in the Kitchen:

1. Basil

Basil has got to be the top choice for any indoor garden. It is easy to grow, does not get too big, and grows super quick. Plus it can be used in so many dishes like pasta sauce, salads, Thai dishes, and more.

Basil plants are lush little plants with bushy growth and a wonderful scent. It just gives you a fresh, uplifted feeling. There is nothing like eating fresh basil from your indoor garden during the winter months.

Just continue to prune and harvest your basil regularly to promote more new growth.

2. Cilantro

Cilantro is another excellent choice for your indoor herb garden. Actually, I have had better luck with it indoors rather than out (in some cases).

When I grow it outside I find it does not take much at all for it to bolt and go to flower as the summer warms up.

Cilantro is easy and fast to grow in pots, and it can do well in lower-light situations. You do not need a lot of cilantro in your recipe to add a great refreshing citrusy flavour.

It can be used in so many different cuisines from Mexican, Thai, Indian, and Middle Eastern cooking. I love using it in homemade salsa, as a garnish on curry, and of course on tacos. Yummy!

3. Mint

I think mint is a fun addition to any indoor herb garden. It is very easy to grow, grows fast, and can even be grown in just water without soil. It also does well in lower light which is perfect for indoor herb gardening.

This is another one of those fresh herbs with and uplifting aroma to add to your kitchen. It is best to grow mint in separate pots because it can be a bully.

It is great for salads, sauces, marinades, and of course tea. Additionally, you can also use it in other fun drinks like cocktails and infused water.

Mint plants are also great because they come in soooo many varieties, beyond your usual peppermint or spearmint. You can also find things like strawberry mint, chocolate mint, apple mint, and even grapefruit mint.

I love a good chocolate mint ‘dessert tea’ after dinner.

4. Thyme

One of my favourites – thyme! I think thyme is so nice because it smells amazing, and the tiny leaves are super cute! I mean not that that is why you should choose a plant, but I think it has to weigh in a little in the decision-making right?

Thyme is great for small spaces as it is very small plant when grown in containers. It is also good for beginners because it will require minimal care and maintenance.

Thyme will grow slower than other varieties, so you do not need to worry about pruning as much. It should be just enough for you to add some earthy citrus flavour to your roasted meats, soups, and stews.

5. Dill

Dill is a fantastic choice for your indoor herb garden. It grows nicely in pots and does not need a ton of light as long as you are just growing it for the leaves. I wouldn’t count on it flowering or producing seeds in the house.

Some varieties of dill can get quite large, so if you can choose a dwarf variety that would be better. Other than that, just stay on top of harvesting it.

Dill is a great addition to the mix because it has such a distinct and strong flavouring. A little will go a long way.

I also like the look of the fern-like foliage – because it is so unique compared to the other herbs.

I love using it on fish, in homemade dips, and it is great in DIY popcorn seasoning.

6. Sage

Sage will bring an extra level of sophistication to your indoor herb garden. You can easily grow sage in pots, and it is not very demanding.

Just a few fresh leaves will add a lot of flavour, so you do not need a huge plant to be able to get good use out of it.

It is the number one herb used for stuffing. It is also great to add in when roasting poultry, and vegetables.

Sage also works well if you are making your own culinary-infused oils.

7. Parsley

Parsley plants are another one of those great herbs to grow in the kitchen. It does well in lower light conditions, and can also handle colder temperatures if need be. It will not get too big and will be easy to maintain when grown in a pot indoors.

I’m sure you already know that parsley has so many culinary uses. You can use it in salads, soups, sauces, pasta dishes, and so many more ways. It really is so versatile. 

Not only can you use it for its amazing flavour in your cooking, but it also makes a nice decorative garnish.

8. Chives

Chives are actually one of the first herbs I grew indoors. They can do well in lower light conditions and are an excellent choice for growing in pots. They will not take up much space at all as they grow upwards instead of bushing out.

As they get bigger you really want to stay on top of watering, as I find they can dry out quickly.

Chives are another herb that will add a large flavour with just a small amount.

All you need to do is give your chive plant a little haircut once in a while, and then you can enjoy that mild onion flavour on your baked potato, or scrambled eggs.

You may have read that the flowers are edible, and they are, but I would not expect your chives to flower indoors unless you have a very bright grow light.

9. Oregano

Oregano is a great Mediterranean herb to grow indoors. It does well in pots and has a compact growth habit so it will not take up a lot of space.

Oregano only requires minimal care, similar to thyme. It is also very easy to root in water.

You only need a small amount of those aromatic leaves to add a robust and earthy flavour to your cooking. It is great for Italian dishes, Greek, and other Mediterranean dishes. 

Honourable Mentions:

So, there you have it. The 9 easiest herbs to grow in kitchen gardens. But, what about all the other options out there?

Just because something isn’t on the above list doesn’t mean you can try it out yourself. I just think the above list is best for beginners. 

Some of these herbs listed below can get quite big and can be more sensitive. So it is not that they can’t be grown indoors, they will just take some extra care and attention.

Others are on this list because they may not be as popular to most herb gardeners and cooks. I want you to grow something that you will get good use out of.

With that being said, here are some honourable mentions that you could try growing indoors:

• Lavender
• Stevia
• Tarragon
• Bay Laurel
• Rosemary
• Chervil
• Marjoram
• Lemon Balm

7 Things to ask yourself when choosing Herbs to grow in the kitchen:

1. Why you are growing an indoor herb garden – to look nice, to eat, to use for herbal tea, or for aromatherapy?
2. What herbs do you regularly cook with?
3. What space do you have to grow the herbs in?
4. Will you be growing your herbs all in one pot or individual pots? (make sure they are compatible if going in the same pot)
5. Are there more expensive herbs that you like to use, or have a hard time finding at the store?
6. Will you have a good grow light for them, or is it better if you grow herbs that don’t need as much light?
7. How confident are you in your green thumb, and are looking for a fast turnaround time?

Extra Tips for Choosing the Best Herbs to Grow Indoors:

When growing herbs indoors, it is best to choose herbs that you use for the leaves, and not the flowers. Flowering herbs such as chamomile can be more difficult as they require more light to flower.

Choose herbs that give you more bang for your buck. This could be by growing herbs that are more expensive to buy, or herbs that only require a small amount to make a big impact in your cooking.

Choosing fast-growing, easy herbs as a beginner helps build your confidence. I recommend starting out small. You can always expand later.

Where to get your herbs from:

There are three main ways that you can get herb plants for your indoor herb garden. I will list them from easiest to hardest.

1. Buy started plants from your grocery store or local garden centers
   • Note: don’t get too big of a plant – think about the root ball size and the size of the container you are growing in (will it fit?)
2. Start your own plants by rooting cuttings from grocery store herbs or a friend’s herb garden
   • This is a lot faster than starting from seed, and you will require less equipment
3. Start your own herbs from seed
   • This will take the longest, but you will have the most variety to choose from. If you are looking for some unique varieties I would recommend Richters Herbs. They have a huge selection of herb seeds on their website.

In Conclusion:

It is not always a straightforward answer when choosing herbs to grow in the kitchen, as there are so many factors to consider and varieties out there. And, it is all so very subjective based on everyone’s tastes, and preferences. 

I hope that I have cleared some of that overwhelm, and this was helpful to you. With any luck, you now have a clear picture of the best herbs to grow in your kitchen herb garden.

The best thing to do is just try it out and see how it goes. If nothing else you can harvest some knowledge. But I know you got this! To really give yourself a boost, why don’t you read my complete beginner’s guide to growing herbs indoors.

Please comment below and share which herbs you are going to try. It is always fun to see which ones people choose. Also – don’t forget to save this post for later!

Until next time!

Looking for some other fun ways to grow herbs indoors? Then check out these posts:

• Growing Basil Microgreens in Recycled Containers
• Growing Sprouted Herbs in a Jar