Master growing techniques for the five essential culinary herbs: basil, parsley, cilantro, chives, and mint. Perfect for beginners starting their first windowsill garden.
Basil thrives in warm conditions (18-24°C) with 6+ hours of bright light daily. Keep soil consistently moist but never soggy, and pinch growing tips weekly to encourage bushy growth and prevent flowering. Genovese basil is most popular for Italian dishes, while Thai basil adds unique flavour to Asian cuisine. Grows quickly from seed or cuttings, producing abundant harvests throughout the growing season in Canadian homes.
Both flat-leaf (Italian) and curly parsley grow well indoors, with flat-leaf offering stronger flavour preferred by cooks. Parsley tolerates partial shade better than most herbs, making it perfect for east or west-facing Canadian windows. Germination takes 2-3 weeks, so patience pays off. Once established, parsley is nearly indestructible, tolerating occasional neglect while providing steady harvests for months with regular trimming.
Cilantro prefers cool conditions (15-20°C) and quickly bolts (flowers) in warm temperatures or long days, ending leaf production. Grow in slightly cooler spots away from heating vents, and harvest frequently to delay flowering. Succession planting every 3-4 weeks ensures continuous supply, as individual plants have relatively short productive periods. Coriander seeds can be collected from bolted plants for cooking or replanting in Canadian gardens.
Chives are among the easiest herbs to grow indoors, tolerating variable light conditions and occasional watering lapses. These onion-flavoured perennials grow in clumps that can be divided annually to create new plants. They appreciate a dormancy period; simulate winter by refrigerating the pot for 6-8 weeks, then return to warmth for renewed growth. Purple flowers are edible and add colour to salads and garnishes.
Mint grows aggressively and must be contained to prevent it overwhelming other plants. Fortunately, container growing naturally limits its spread, making windowsills ideal for this vigorous herb. Keep soil consistently moist and provide moderate light for best growth. Spearmint and peppermint are most common, each with distinct flavour profiles. Pinch regularly to maintain bushy shape and prevent flowering, which reduces leaf quality.
Rosemary requires bright light, excellent drainage, and moderate watering, allowing soil to dry between waterings. This Mediterranean native tolerates cooler indoor temperatures (13-18°C) better than tropical herbs, making it suitable for Canadian homes. Growth is slow but steady, producing aromatic needle-like leaves perfect for roasting vegetables and meats. Prune lightly and frequently rather than heavy occasional trimming to maintain compact shape.
Oregano is drought-tolerant and thrives with benign neglect, making it perfect for busy Canadians. Greek oregano offers the strongest flavour for Mediterranean cooking, while Italian oregano is slightly milder. Allow soil to dry completely between waterings, and provide bright light for maximum oil production and intense flavour. Oregano spreads readily and benefits from occasional trimming to prevent woody growth and encourage tender new leaves.
Common thyme and lemon thyme are both excellent for indoor growing, preferring dry conditions and bright light. These compact plants fit easily on crowded windowsills and produce abundant tiny leaves packed with flavour. Water sparingly, allowing soil to dry between waterings, and harvest stem tips regularly to promote branching. Thyme tolerates lower humidity than most herbs, thriving in heated Canadian homes where other plants struggle.
Sage grows slowly but steadily indoors, producing soft, fuzzy leaves with powerful flavour that goes far in cooking. Like other Mediterranean herbs, sage prefers bright light, good drainage, and moderate watering with dry periods between. Common sage is most versatile, while purple and variegated varieties add visual interest to windowsill gardens. Harvest by snipping individual leaves or stem tips rather than shearing the entire plant for sustained production.
Dill's feathery foliage adds delicate flavour to fish, salads, and pickles. This herb prefers cooler temperatures and bright light, making it suitable for Canadian windowsills away from heat sources. Dill develops a taproot and dislikes transplanting, so sow seeds directly in final containers. Like cilantro, dill eventually bolts and produces seeds (also edible), so succession planting every few weeks maintains a constant supply of fresh leaves throughout the year.