Grow a Windowsill Herb Garden

Why grow a windowsill herb garden? Think about the fresh herbs you typically buy and cook with. Do you use the whole bunch—stems and all—by composting leftovers or tossing them into vegetable stock? If so, fantastic. But if your usual recipes only call for a sprig or two, you may find yourself regularly watching fresh herbs turn brown and slimy in your crisper drawer. That’s wasted flavor, wasted money, and wasted food.

And those forgotten herbs aren’t alone. In the U.S., the average person still wastes over 400 pounds of food every year, according to the EPA. Meanwhile, millions of households face food insecurity, and wasted food in landfills produces methane, a greenhouse gas more potent than carbon dioxide. Small shifts at home—like growing your own herbs—can make a surprisingly big difference.

An indoor herb garden solves this problem beautifully. Instead of buying more than you need, you can simply snip what you want, when you want it, and leave the rest thriving for next time. Basil, mint, thyme, or cilantro are ready when inspiration strikes, whether you’re throwing together a weeknight dinner or making something special. It’s convenience at your fingertips—literally.

But the benefits go beyond your plate. Houseplants in general have been linked to reduced stress, improved focus, and faster recovery from illness. Herbs add an extra layer of joy: they engage your senses. Brushing your hand across rosemary or basil releases fragrance that can calm the nervous system and boost your mood. In fact, many people now grow herbs indoors not just for food, but as part of a wellness practice.

And while it’s true that you’d need a jungle’s worth of plants to truly purify your air, even a modest herb garden makes your space feel fresher, more vibrant, and more alive. Plus, herbs are some of the easiest plants to grow indoors, making them an accessible starting point if you’ve always wanted a greener home.

In 2025, when food prices are high and people are looking for ways to cut waste, an indoor herb garden is a small but powerful way to save money, eat better, and feel better—all at once.

How to Start a Windowsill Herb Garden

Here’s the first important thing when it comes to how to make an indoor herb garden: You will need a spot with a lot of sunlight for this. We’re talking six to eight hours of sunlight a day, so look for your sunniest indoor spot. (And if you don’t have one, consider a grow light.) Fortunately, if you have the right windowsill, spot on a porch for a pot, or yard space, you can avoid buying an entire bunch of your favorite herb when you only need a few sprigs. And as you go, location may be something you can experiment with; one herb may prefer more light than another, and moving them around your available space might help you discover that.

Next, what will you grow? Yep, this is the fun part. You may have noticed a plethora of windowsill herb garden kits for sale from garden centers and home good stores. Maybe that’s the route for you (we fully admit some are really cute), but first consider your kitchen habits.

Think about all the times you’ve cooked with herbs in the past month or so. Which ones have you used? And which ones have you used in the right quantities to make pulling them off your own plant the right move? When we make basil tomato pasta, for example, we buy and use a whole bunch—but a couple leaves on top of a homemade pizza is windowsill herb garden territory. If you want a little cilantro for your guacamole or a couple leaves of mint for a cocktail, grow cilantro or mint. But if you never use thyme, don’t grow it, no matter how cute the kitchen herb garden kit is.

Once you’ve narrowed down your list, consider this expert advice quoted in New York Magazine: It’s fine to grow annuals from seeds, but grow perennials from starters, especially if you’re new to this.

Annuals: Basil, Chervil, Cilantro

Perennials: Chives, Dill, Lavender, Marjoram, Mint, Oregano, Rosemary, Sage, Tarragon, Thyme

Biennials: Parsley (we’ve had no problem growing parsley either way in the past)

Look for pots that are at least six inches in diameter, and make sure they have good drainage. That means a hole in the bottom so water can’t collect and drown your poor plant’s roots. Then put them on a saucer or tray of some sort to keep from ruining your windowsill. Fill your pots with a high-quality potting soil. (We couldn’t help making you a Pinterest board of indoor herb garden ideas. Enjoy!)

Your plant’s seed packet or plant tag will likely include planting and care information specific to its variety, so read it carefully and follow the directions. And then employ your patience, attention, and flexibility. You’ll be adding mint leaves to your cocktail soon!

How to Dry Herbs

One day you’re wondering how to make an indoor herb garden, and before you know it, your windowsill harvest larger than you thought, or you’re worried an herb will flower soon. Here’s how to dry it for future use!

• Carefully cut the herbs that you want to dry, check them for damaged leaves, and if they have larger leaves, take the leaves off the stalks. (Smaller-leaf herbs can stay on their stalks until after drying.)

• Use a dehydrator: If you have a dehydrator, this is probably the simplest method. Just follow the manufacturer’s instructions.

• Use your oven: Arrange the herbs on a baking sheet. Bake on low (the lowest your oven goes) for 2 to 4 hours, with the door of the oven slightly open. Check to see if they’re dry.

• Hang them dry: Sorry to ruin your dreams of hanging drying herbs around your kitchen like some sort of nature goddess, but to avoid dust and dirt, hang them inside paper bags. Cut holes in the bags for air to get in. Gather a small bunch of herbs and hang it inside the bag by the stalk. It’s better to do multiple small bunches than one larger bunch, as they need a lot of air circulation. This could take a week or a little longer.

Store your dried herbs in airtight containers, ideally opaque and away from heat or sunlight. Don’t forget to date the containers. Here are some tips from thekitchn.com on when to use fresh and when to used dried herbs. Not only can your windowsill herb garden help you cut down on food waste, it can up your culinary game too!