15 Herbs You Can Grow on Your Kitchen Windowsill

Keep your culinary herbs growing through the winter with a kitchen windowsill garden! A sunny window is the perfect location for perennial and annual plants in containers. You’ll have fresh leaves and flowers to harvest easily while cooking meals. Discover these 15 best herbs to plant on your windowsill alongside seasoned grower Jerad Bryant.

Fresh chives planted in a brown paper pot, positioned next to a bright white window pane, catching the soft natural light of the morning sun.

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Herbs can make or break a recipe, and they are easy to access when growing in your kitchen windowsill! You can morph a bland, simple dish into one exploding in flavor with the right combination of herbs. Plant them in pots on your kitchen windowsill, and you’ll have them readily accessible while you chop, saute, and bake your meals. 

Some herbs grow better than others indoors, while some need specific conditions to thrive on a windowsill. I recommend choosing herbs you eat, and ones that grow easily with your kitchen’s conditions. We’ll consider sunlight, airflow, and space to determine which ones are best for you and your cooking needs.

The biggest challenge in cultivating an indoor herb garden is considering sunlight exposure—most species need lots of light to grow flavorful, aromatic foliage. In the absence of correct sunlight exposures, we’ll use grow lights to give these plants what they need. Set the lights on a daily timer, and you’ll never have to worry about your specimens again. 

To create a kitchen windowsill herb garden you’ll need space in your kitchen, containers, potting soil, and herb seeds. If you lack ample sunlight near where you cook, you’ll also want to find grow lights to keep the plants performing their best. Once you have these materials you’re ready to plant some herbs! Here are 15 of the easiest ones to cultivate on your kitchen windowsill.

Lemon Balm

Lemon Balm Seeds

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Lemon Balm Seeds

Munstead Lavender

Munstead Lavender Seeds

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Italian Basil

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Genovese Basil Seeds

Basil

Basil features broad, shiny, oval-shaped leaves with slightly jagged edges.
Indoors, basil grows year-round!
common-name common name Basil
botanical-name botanical name Ocimum basilicum
sun-requirements sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
height height 1-3’
hardiness-zones hardiness zones 10

If you love homemade pizza, pasta, and pesto, then you need a basil plant on your windowsill! Basil is frost tender, and typically, gardeners plant it during the summer season. It’s a beautiful companion plant for tomatoes and peppers, and it produces ample flowers in the summer for bees and bugs. 

Indoors, basil grows year-round! Some plants survive for years, while other varieties live a few seasons. Choose short-growing types like ‘Italian Genovese’ for easy cultivation. Your specimens will stay shorter than two feet, and you can trim them as you need fresh leaves. 

Basil needs lots of sunlight indoors and regular water. If it doesn’t receive at least three hours of direct sunlight through the window, place a grow light above it to supplement the lighting. Short-growing varieties thrive in containers at least eight inches deep, although they’ll grow better with more room for their roots. The last tip for basil success is to water once the soil dries—this plant hates wet feet!

Cilantro

Delicate, feathery leaves on tall, slender stems. The leaves are finely divided and resemble parsley, with a slightly lacy appearance.
The seeds make the spice coriander, and that’s why this herb’s scientific name is Coriandrum sativum.
common-name common name Cilantro
botanical-name botanical name Coriandrum sativum
sun-requirements sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
height height 1-2’
hardiness-zones hardiness zones 2-11

Cilantro is an annual herb that bolts easily; it’s challenging to grow outdoors because hot springs and summers cause it to stop producing leaves and start forming flowers. From pollinated blossoms sprout brown seeds. Grow a continuous supply in pots indoors and you’ll forget all about these bolting challenges.

If your cilantro does bolt outdoors, let it flower and seed. The seeds make the spice coriander, and that’s why this herb’s scientific name is Coriandrum sativum. Collect the seeds and sow them in containers near your kitchen window, or use them as a spice. Moderate and stable indoor conditions will keep the seedlings producing foliage instead of blossoms or coriander seeds.

The best way to grow cilantro indoors is to sow new seeds in pots every two to three weeks. When your first crop starts bolting, your second one will be ready for harvesting. Keep a steady supply this way throughout the winter when all else fails to grow! 

Culantro

Lush culantro leaves, glistening with moisture, flourish in rich, dark soil contained within a pristine white strainer.
Because this plant has a strong flavor, you can substitute every portion of cilantro for half a portion of culantro or less.
common-name common name Culantro
botanical-name botanical name Eryngium foetidum
sun-requirements sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
height height 1’
hardiness-zones hardiness zones 7-11

Culantro is similar to cilantro, but distinct enough to deserve a spot in your kitchen. It grows biennially instead of annually, although it sometimes survives longer than two years. It tastes stronger than cilantro, and it resists wilting. This makes it ideal for soups, stews, and recipes involving heat; the leaves stand up well and infuse cilantro-esque flavor.

Culantro is low-growing and sprouts rosettes of green lance-shaped leaves with little serrations on their margins. Cut off the outer leaves as you need fresh herbs, and chop or place them whole in your dishes. You may also use them fresh! Because this plant has a strong flavor, you can substitute every portion of cilantro for half a portion of culantro or less. For example, if a dish calls for a cup of cilantro you’ll use a half cup of culantro.

Start growing this herb today using seeds. Plant them in pots at least six inches deep. These biennials prefer well-draining soil with average fertility. Water them once their soil dries to avoid root rot diseases. Culantro appreciates at least three hours of daily direct sunlight and benefits from grow lights in dark kitchens.

Chives

The chives plant features slender, cylindrical green leaves that grow in dense clumps and produce tall, purple spherical flower clusters atop thin stems.
You can dry the stalks and blend them to make green onion powder!
common-name common name Chives
botanical-name botanical name Allium schoenoprasum
sun-requirements sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
height height 12-18”
hardiness-zones hardiness zones 4-8

Chives are like milder onions. They add fresh, sweet onion flavor to soups, salads, and homemade bread. You can dry the stalks and blend them to make green onion powder! Not only can you do this, but you can also harvest the lavender blossoms to add edible charm to your salads. The possibilities are endless. 

Chives are bunching onions, meaning they spread perennially by forming new bulblets. Separate these clumps and pot them in containers or outdoors in raised beds. Chives prefer cool and mild conditions; they may suffer in warm kitchens. Choose a spot with good airflow, bright light, and cool temperatures for best results.

Start chives from seeds, and give your seedlings bright light indoors. They’ll thrive with between three to six hours of daily direct sunlight. Grant them regular water to keep their stalks taught, perky, and full of flavor. If the bulblets outgrow the container, separate them and place clumps in new containers for more plants!

Dill

Close-up of growing dill plants in a sunny garden. Dill is an aromatic herb prized for its feathery, fern-like leaves. The leaves are finely divided and arranged in clusters along slender stems. Each leaf is composed of numerous thread-like segments, giving the plant a lacy and elegant appearance.
Most gardeners cut the blooms before they form since it causes the foliage to grow bitter and harsh.
common-name common name Dill
botanical-name botanical name Anethum graveolens
sun-requirements sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
height height 2-5’
hardiness-zones hardiness zones 2-11

Dill adds a distinct taste to pickled vegetables, ranch dips, and baked goods. Its lacy foliage adds ornamental charm to herb gardens, and its flowers attract bees, butterflies, and pollinating flies. Most gardeners cut the blooms before they form since it causes the foliage to grow bitter and harsh. Dill grows aromatic foliage early in the growing season, then flowers and seeds during summer.

Dill likes cool, moderate weather while it produces leaves. High heat and hot drafts in kitchens may cause it to bolt. Use this simple trick—add a small desk fan near the plant. It’ll keep airflow moving whether the window is open or closed, allowing your seedlings to thrive on their windowsill.

Like the other herbs on this list, dill needs three or more hours of bright light indoors to grow its flavorful foliage. When it’s happy, it sprouts a long taproot that grows straight down. Give it a pot with at least a foot of depth so the taproot has ample space to spread its tendrils. If your plants bolt, let a few form flowers and place them outdoors. Insects will pollinate the blossoms, and seeds will form; store them to plant when you’re ready for more seedlings.

Italian Parsley

An abundance of bright green parsley leaves.
The flat leaves are easy to chop, and they lend a pungent, celery-like taste to sauces, grains, and vegetables.
common-name common name Italian Parsley
botanical-name botanical name Petroselinum crispum
sun-requirements sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
height height 8-12”
hardiness-zones hardiness zones 2-11

Italian parsley appreciates warmer conditions than its relative curly parsley, making it the perfect candidate for indoor growing. The flat leaves are easy to chop, and they lend a pungent, celery-like taste to sauces, grains, and vegetables. Dry the leaves for a more resilient herbal seasoning that works well in baked or fried goods.

Italian parsley is an annual or biennial plant that flowers after it grows foliage. It’ll produce flower spikes as temperatures warm and days lengthen. Move your container plants outdoors when they start flowering to attract pollinators who lay their eggs on the plant for hungry larvae. If these don’t eat up all your leaves, with successful pollination, you’ll have free parsley seeds you can harvest and store for an endless supply of seedlings.

Italian parsley also goes by the name ‘Flat Leaf’ parsley. Find seeds online, at local seed retailers, or ask your neighbors to collect some if they have overgrown plants in their yards. Parsley germinates readily with soil temperatures between 50 to 85°F (10 to 29°C). 

Marjoram

Fresh marjoram leaves cluster densely in a lush bed, perfect for culinary garnishes or medicinal teas..
Marjoram is a favorite of breadmakers, adding delicious and hard-to-find flavors to fresh loaves.
common-name common name Marjoram
botanical-name botanical name Origanum majorana
sun-requirements sun requirements Full sun
height height 12-18”
hardiness-zones hardiness zones 9-10

Marjoram is oregano’s milder relative; it sprouts fragrant leaves and blossoms with complex but mild aromas. Use it in fresh recipes or prepared dishes—it’s a versatile herb that lends flavor no matter how you prepare it. Marjoram is a favorite of bread makers, adding delicious and hard-to-find flavors to fresh loaves. 

Unlike oregano, marjoram is frost-tender and dies in cold zones. It survives perennially in zones 9 and 10, and sometimes in zone 8 with mulch protection. Grow it indoors, and you’ll never have to worry about it dying on you! Give it as much sun as lavender, at least six hours daily. 

Start marjoram today and plant seeds in pots at least six inches deep. Give them more space if you can, as they’ll appreciate up to a foot of soil for their roots to spread into. Seedlings and mature adults like warm, dry conditions. This herb is perfect for sunny windowsills throughout your home. 

‘Munstead’ Lavender

A close-up reveals Munstead lavenders' delicate purple petals, each bearing tiny, fragrant blossoms. Their slender stems support clusters of blooms, creating a mesmerizing sight. Surrounding these blooms are vibrant green leaves, basking in the sun's warm embrace.
It lends an aromatic, herbal taste to teas, sweet baked goods, and dishes like mashed potatoes.
common-name common name Munstead Lavender
botanical-name botanical name Lavendula angustifolia ‘Munstead’
sun-requirements sun requirements Full sun
height height 12-18”
hardiness-zones hardiness zones 5-9

Lavender is incredibly common in essential oils, perfumes, and aromatherapy solutions. Did you know you can also cook with this herb? It lends an aromatic, herbal taste to teas, sweet baked goods, and dishes like mashed potatoes. Grow a compact type like ‘Munstead’ indoors and you’ll have ready stems for clipping the entire year!

‘Munstead’ is an English lavender cultivar that grows compact blossom spikes on short, stocky plants. It’s perfect for containers and thrives alongside other Mediterranean herbs like rosemary and sage. Give it a pot at least eight inches deep, and water the soil once it dries. Use a mix that’s free draining to keep lavender roots happy.

Start ‘Munstead’ indoors by sowing seeds from late winter through early spring. Plant two or three seeds in each pot, and thin the seedlings to one per pot once they sprout. Lavender seeds germinate best with several weeks of a cold, moist period. Give your specimens lots of sunlight; they need at least six hours of direct sunlight daily for optimal growth. If your kitchen is dark, a cheap grow light works well to supplement it. 

Oregano

Two brown pots display thriving oregano plants; their green leaves reaching upwards with vitality.
It’s hardy and tough, making it ideal for indoor gardens.
common-name common name Oregano
botanical-name botanical name Origanum vulgare
sun-requirements sun requirements Full sun
height height 18”
hardiness-zones hardiness zones 5-10

Oregano is a must-have herb for any home chef! Whether you’re cooking Italian, Turkish, or Latin American dishes, you’ll appreciate fresh oregano in your kitchen. Origanum vulgare is the most common oregano and the parent of many other varieties. It’s hardy and tough, making it ideal for indoor gardens. It’s necessary for pasta sauce, arroz con gandules, and adobo seasonings. 

Your indoor specimens may start flowering during midsummer. You can chop these off and dry them, then chop them up with a blender or knife. They’ll add mild oregano flavor as dry herbs. Steady trimming of this herb encourages it to grow compact and bushy. Keep it well-cut for fresh sprouts throughout the year.

Start common oregano seeds indoors while there’s ample sunlight from spring through summer. They’ll thrive in pots between six and ten inches of depth and a similar width. If your seedlings outgrow their pots, transplant them into larger containers with fresh potting soil.

Peppermint

Vivid green catnip leaves, basking in gentle light, their textured surfaces invite touch and play, promising feline delight and relaxation in every furry encounter with nature's calming herb.
It adds a cool sensation when you place it in smoothies, desserts, and dishes like tabbouleh.
common-name common name Peppermint
botanical-name botanical name Mentha x piperita
sun-requirements sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
height height 1-3’
hardiness-zones hardiness zones 5-9

Tea lovers should try growing peppermint indoors! This perennial herb is a source of menthol, minty flavorings, and fragrances. It adds a cool sensation when you place it in smoothies, desserts, and dishes like tabbouleh. Because peppermint invades outdoor spaces with its spreading rhizomes, growing it in your kitchen manages this unruly expansion. 

Peppermint tolerates lower light conditions than most other herbs but still needs at least three hours of daily bright light to thrive. Give it similar exposures as cilantro, culantro, and chives. Start this perennial herb by sowing seeds or cuttings. Plant either in pots eight inches wide and deep, although mint appreciates larger containers if you have the space for them.

If your plants slow their growth and sprout small leaves, they could need a repot. Indoor mint plants are easy to fix! Simply take them out of their containers, cut off half their roots, and then place the plants back in the same pots with fresh soil. Do this each spring for optimal mint growth during the warm seasons.

Rosemary

Lush rosemary herbs thrive in sunlight, nestled within black pots, basking in golden rays; their fragrant foliage cascading gracefully.
I like to chop fresh rosemary into mashed potatoes with butter, salt, and pepper.
common-name common name Rosemary
botanical-name botanical name Salvia rosmarinus
sun-requirements sun requirements Full sun
height height 4-5’
hardiness-zones hardiness zones 8-10

Rosemary is unlike any other herb—its aromatic leaves and dainty, purple blossoms lend edible charm to any dish. I like to chop fresh rosemary into mashed potatoes with butter, salt, and pepper. Having a potted rosemary specimen in the kitchen means I can make this recipe without rushing outside and pruning some stems. 

Rosemary needs warm temperatures, bright direct light, and good airflow to survive indoors. They may experience root rot if they receive too much water, or grow in soggy soils. Use a free draining mix in containers at least eight inches deep, and water only once the soil dries on top. This will keep your specimens happy and healthy!

Rosemary seedlings germinate readily indoors. Plant them in early spring if they’re under natural sunlight. If they’re under grow lights, plant them year-round whenever you’d like new rosemary shrubs. Sow seeds on the surface of wet soil, and keep them moist but not soggy while they sprout.

Sage

This plant has soft, gray-green leaves with a velvety texture and a strong, aromatic scent.
Use them to flavor sauces, pizza, stews, or meat dishes.
common-name common name Sage
botanical-name botanical name Salvia officinalis
sun-requirements sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
height height 1-3’
hardiness-zones hardiness zones 4-8

Sage, like rosemary and lavender, is a world-famous garden ornamental from the Mediterranean region in Southeastern Europe. It likes coastal conditions with gritty soil, sunlight, and regular moisture. When happy, it produces dozens of fuzzy gray-green leaves that work well fresh or dried in recipes. Use them to flavor sauces, pizza, stews, or meat dishes.

Sage is perennial, meaning you can cultivate it indoors for many years. It’ll need a large pot to survive, or recurring repots every year as the roots outgrow the container. Use pots at least eight inches deep, and plant seedlings in free-draining soil. Their roots need moistness, not sogginess.

Older specimens may flower in summer, sprouting purple sage blossoms. Use them in salads for a pop of color with herbal flavor. To start sage in your kitchen, plant seeds a quarter inch deep in pots. Keep them under three or more hours of direct sunlight, and water them when their soil dries. They’ll emerge one to three weeks later.

Summer Savory

Summer savory herbs, their petite leaves outstretched, soak up the warm sun rays, embracing the golden glow of summer.
Indoors, it’s still an annual, but it’ll survive longer before dying out.
common-name common name Summer Savory
botanical-name botanical name Satureja hortensis
sun-requirements sun requirements Full sun
height height 18”
hardiness-zones hardiness zones 2-11

Add summer savory to your repertoire for unique-tasting edible leaves. Its mild, peppery flavor has dozens of uses. Find it in teas, herb bundles, soups, roasts, and grains. Outdoors, summer savory thrives during the summer as an annual, dying around the time of the first frost. Indoors, it’s still an annual, but it’ll survive longer before dying out.

This annual thrives in small pots; it only needs six inches of depth for its roots to spread and roam. Give it full sun with sunlight or grow lights indoors, and water its soil once the top dries. If you’re unsure when to water, try the finger test! Simply stick your pointer finger into the soil and see if you sense moisture. Hold off on adding moisture if you do.

Summer savory seeds sprout when soil temperatures sit between 75 to 85°F (24 to 29°C). Sow new seeds monthly for a continuous supply of fresh savory leaves. If your plants produce flowers in the warm seasons, they’re perfect for putting outdoors. Bees will flock to the blossoms, pollinate them, and give you free seeds to sow when you need more seedlings.

Thyme

Lemon thyme leaves in the garden.
Having thyme close by while cooking is an indispensable kitchen addition; it’ll help you make flavorful meals quickly.
common-name common name Thyme
botanical-name botanical name Thymus vulgaris
sun-requirements sun requirements Full sun
height height 6-12”
hardiness-zones hardiness zones 5-9

Thyme is a low-growing spreader perfect for wide, shallow containers. It sprouts roots close to the surface, and its stems root easily when they touch soil. Having thyme close by while cooking is an indispensable kitchen addition; it’ll help you make flavorful meals quickly. 

Thyme, like rosemary, sprouts thin needle-like leaves close to the stem. They work well in meals both fresh and dried, and the dry herbs last for a year or longer in your pantry. Place fresh thyme in recipes with low heat, and place dry leaves in ones with longer and hotter cooking periods. Use thyme for beans, chilis, and seasoning bases, as it blends well with oregano, sage, and summer or winter savory.

Sow thyme seeds close to the surface, about an eighth inch deep in pots. Keep the soil moist, and give seedlings bright direct light for at least six hours daily. This herb is a sun lover, and it thrives in bright indoor exposures like a south-facing window.

Winter Savory

Slender leaves of winter savory herbs catch the sunlight, showcasing their delicate texture and rich green hue. Each leaf seems to shimmer with a subtle sheen, inviting admiration for its beauty and freshness.
Grow winter savory in a pot indoors, and you’ll have peppery, savory, and herbal leaves for years.
common-name common name Winter Savory
botanical-name botanical name Satureja montana
sun-requirements sun requirements Full sun
height height 6-18”
hardiness-zones hardiness zones 5-10

If you like the flavor of summer savory but hate the hassle of growing annual herbs, try winter savory! It tastes similarly, but its leaves grow off woody, perennial stems. Grow this lovely herb in a pot by a sunny window, and you’ll have peppery, savory, and herbal leaves for years. You can grow winter savory in the kitchen during harsh winters and bring it outdoors for the growing season, or keep it happy indoors year-round. 

Whatever you decide, give your specimen a deep pot with well-draining soil. Winter savory appreciates water once its soil dries and hates wet feet. It’s not picky, but it dislikes excess moisture. Place it in a sunny location with six or more hours of sunlight, and prune it back after flowering to encourage new growth. 

Winter savory naturally enters dormancy in winter as temperatures dip and days shorten. If your kitchen window herb loses some leaves and stops growing, let it enter dormancy. It’ll need less water until it opens new sprouts in spring. Start seedlings for your windowsill by sowing seeds on the soil’s surface in pots. They’ll sprout two to three weeks after planting. 

Key Takeaways

  • Herbs need sunlight and lots of it! If your plants start suffering in partial shade exposures, add grow lights to supplement the natural light.
  • Outdoor herbs may need water daily, but indoor ones need it less often. It’s best to check the soil before adding water.
  • Herbs are excellent when fresh, but they keep longer when dry. The easiest way to dry herbs is to hang them upside down in bundles in a spot with regular airflow.
  • This isn’t the complete list of herbs you can grow on your kitchen windowsill! Try growing the herbs you love to eat, see how they fare indoors, and let them stay if they thrive.
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