Best herbs to grow indoors and how to look after them

In order to enjoy fresh herbs all year round to make your best recipes, your favourite varieties can flourish on a sunny windowsill or under grow lights. There are several ways to get these herbs: buy seedlings from a garden centre or dig up plants from the garden for perennial herbs, such as rosemary, oregano, thyme, chives, bay leaves and mint. Basil, coriander and chervil should be planted from seed and replanted throughout the year.

The best herbs to grow indoors are: basil, bay, chervil, chives, mint, oregano, parsley, rosemary and thyme. All of them have different water requirements, so it is recommended to give each herb its own pot so that you can personalise the care, and give it the space it needs to grow.

• Basil

You can buy seeds or small plants to have your own basil. For ideal growth, pot them in rich, organic soil and place them so that they receive as much light and warmth as possible. We recommend planting a new batch of seeds every few weeks to ensure a steady supply as basil is not a long-term indoor plant.

• Laurel

Plant bay seeds in fast-draining soil and place them near a bright window. Laurel does not require much care. However, watch out for disease and air the room regularly to prevent this from happening. Pick the leaves and dry them to preserve them, the older they are, the stronger they taste.

• Chervil

Chervil seeds should be planted in moist soil, favour deep pots to allow the roots to develop. After germination, keep the plants cool and give them moderate sunlight. In order to have fresh greens available, it is advisable to plant them every few weeks.

• Chives

We recommend buying a chive plant and potting it in rich, organic soil. Place the pot ideally near a south-facing window so that it can receive all the light it needs. Use a scissor to cut the herbs and leave at least 2 inches of growth for the plants to regrow.

• Mint

Buy seeds or a mint plant and place the pot in a bright place, making sure the soil is always moist. Mint plants are perennial and can tolerate high temperatures of up to 30°C.

• Oregano

Grow oregano in the same way as mint plants, the plant should be near a bright window. Oregano should be watered regularly, as soon as you notice that the plant is running out of water, but do not let it dry out. Dried leaves are more pungent than fresh ones.

• Parsley

Grow it in a deep pot with rich, organic soil and place it where there is plenty of light. Choose curly or flat, but give it a place in your garden.

• Rosemary

Rosemary, like almost all other plants, needs a lot of light. It tolerates hot, sunny and dry places in summer, but prefers slightly cooler temperatures. Cut sprigs of 1 to 4 inches and add to soups, or strip the leaves and chop them.

• Thyme

To grow thyme over time, pot it in a quick-draining soil mix and place it near a warm, sunny window. It is important to water regularly as soon as the soil dries out but do not wait too long.