Starting a windowsill herb garden is the easiest way to grow your own food if you have a small space. Herbs are easy to plant, harvest, preserve and have ornamental value. Not all herbs, however, are suitable for growing on windowsills, and some may prove to be more challenging than anticipated.

In this article, we’ll highlight our favorite picks for an indoor herb garden and help you choose which may work best for your space and gardening expertise.

Best Windowsill Herbs for Beginners

These eight beginner-friendly herbs are a must-have in any windowsill garden. They are easy to grow at home, work well in containers, and can often be planted together to maximize limited growing space.

Basil 

A timeless classic, basil is one of the best herbs for a sunny windowsill. It requires plenty of light, warmth, nutrient-rich, well-draining soil, and regular pruning to encourage bushy growth. Use the leaves fresh to make the most of their aroma, or preserve them in oil or butter. Basil is an annual herb that only lives for one season, but it’s easy to start from seed every spring. 

Parsley

Parsley is an herb for everyday use that complements almost any dish. Easy to grow from seed, it can tolerate a bit of shade and has a compact shape that makes it suitable for small windowsills. It’s a biannual herb that flowers in its second year. After it finishes flowering, you can harvest and eat the root like you would parsnip or celery root. 

Cilantro

If you’re among the lucky people who like the taste of cilantro, then you must try growing your own. It has the same care requirements as parsley and will grow best in a sunny spot and nutrient-rich soil. Cilantro bolts easily, but don’t worry: the seeds make for fresh coriander, are edible, and have a unique umami flavor.

Chives

Chives are a perennial herb from the onion family. They can tolerate low light, won’t mind if you forget to water them, and will self-propagate easily by growing new bulbs. This herb also produces pink edible flowers which you can use in salads, add to butter, or make chive flower vinegar.

Thyme

A low-maintenance, highly fragrant herb, thyme takes up very little space when grown in containers. It loves a sunny windowsill and doesn’t require much water or nutrients. Thyme has a crawling growth habit and tends to sprawl over the edges of its pot. Remember to prune it regularly to help maintain its shape, or use the stems to propagate more plants.

Oregano

Oregano is a perennial herb that pairs well with Mediterranean dishes. This compact shrub needs soil with good drainage and a warm, sunny windowsill, but it’s not too pretentious when it comes to watering. Although they complement each other in cooking, avoid growing basil and oregano together, as oregano prefers drier conditions than basil. 

Marjoram

Marjoram is a Mediterranean herb similar to oregano. It has the same growth habit and growing requirements, and will thrive on a sunny windowsill and free-draining potting mix. It also tastes a bit like oregano but has a sweeter, citrusy flavor. Both marjoram flowers and leaves are edible and taste best when used fresh.

Dill

Despite being low-maintenance, dill is often overlooked by indoor gardeners. Easy to grow from seed, its leaves and seeds make a flavorful addition to soups, stews, salads, and fish dishes. This annual herb can grow up to 4 feet tall even in containers. Luckily, it tends to grow upright and it won’t shade out your other herbs.

Windowsill Herbs That Require a Bit of Extra Care

These five perennial herbs are better suited for experienced gardeners. If you’re a beginner, you can try growing them as annuals. But if you want to keep them for many years, prepare to provide them with regular pruning, repotting, and the right conditions for overwintering.

French Tarragon

A staple in French cooking, tarragon has a uniquely peppery, sweet, and aniseed taste. Grown from cuttings (not seeds), it requires a deep container, well-draining soil, regular watering, and at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day. French tarragon is not cold-hardy, therefore growing it in pots indoors is the best way to keep it alive for many years.

Rosemary

Rosemary is a perennial shrub grown for its evergreen aromatic leaves. It doesn’t require much feeding, can tolerate drought, but needs at least 6 hours of direct sun per day. It also tends to spread and some varieties can grow up to 5 feet tall and wide. To keep it contained, prune the top 2-3 inches of the stems regularly, but avoid cutting the wooden stems.

Sage

Sage is a traditional kitchen garden herb with savory, peppery, and slightly minty leaves. It tolerates bright indirect light and infrequent watering. Growing sage indoors on a windowsill also protects it from fungal diseases such as powdery mildew, a common problem when kept outdoors in humid climates. Sage, however, can become sparse and woody, so give it a hard prune in early spring to promote new growth.

Mint

Versatile and prolific, mint is an ideal herb for containers. Available in dozens of cultivars and varieties, you can use its aromatic leaves in anything from savory dishes to drinks, desserts, and more. This perennial shrub can live on your windowsill for many years with enough sunlight and regular pruning, feeding, and watering. The downside is that it will spread and outgrow any neighboring herbs, so always plant mint in a pot of its own.

Common Lavender

Also known as English lavender (Lavandula angustifolia), this Mediterranean herb has a wide range of uses, from culinary to medicinal. It produces edible leaves and flowers that can be used fresh or dried. Growing lavender in pots indoors can be tricky but not impossible. Plant it in a very well-draining mix of compost and grit, and ensure it receives a minimum 8 hours of direct sun daily.

CONCLUSION

Nothing beats the flavor of fresh, homegrown herbs. And with so many options to choose from, you are guaranteed to find a herb combo that will thrive on your windowsill.

Do you have a favorite we missed? Why not log into our online community and share a photo of your windowsill or container herb garden.