Complete Gardening
Growing herbs indoors may seem like a convenient idea, bringing the freshness of nature into your home. However, certain herbs can cause problems indoors, from rapid growth to attracting pests.
In this article, we explore the reasons why these 10 specific herbs are best kept outside.
1. Mint
Mint is a vigorous grower, often overwhelming any space it is planted in. Indoors, it can quickly outgrow its container, sending runners in every direction. This relentless growth can lead to a cluttered space, making it hard to manage.
If left unchecked, mint can choke out other plants, depriving them of essential nutrients and sunlight. Additionally, its sprawling nature can cause soil to dry out more rapidly than expected, demanding frequent watering.
Consider growing mint outdoors or in a separate container to keep its growth under control and your indoor garden tidy.
2. Rosemary
Rosemary prefers sunny, well-ventilated environments, which can be difficult to replicate indoors. Its need for high light levels can lead to leggy growth and poor health in indoor settings.
While it may survive, rosemary often doesn’t thrive inside, leading to frustration for gardeners hoping for lush, aromatic sprigs. Lack of airflow can exacerbate issues like powdery mildew, which rosemary is susceptible to.
For best results, place rosemary outdoors where it can soak up sunlight and enjoy natural breezes, or ensure it’s near a south-facing window with ample light.
3. Basil
Basil is sensitive to temperature and humidity fluctuations common in indoor environments. It thrives in warm, consistent climates, but indoors, drafts and air conditioning can cause stress.
This stress often leads to wilting or yellowing leaves, diminishing the plant’s vibrant appearance and flavor. Furthermore, basil can be prone to fungal diseases if the air circulation is poor or if the leaves remain wet for too long.
To keep basil healthy, consider an outdoor spot with stable conditions, or use a grow light to mimic its ideal growing environment.
4. Lavender
Lavender thrives in open, sunny environments, making it a challenging herb to grow indoors. It prefers well-drained soil and good air circulation, both hard to achieve inside a home.
Without enough sunlight, lavender may fail to flower, losing its signature appeal and fragrance. Additionally, poor air circulation can lead to root rot or mold issues, making lavender maintenance-intensive.
For a thriving lavender plant, consider outdoor planting where it can enjoy full sun exposure, or ensure it’s placed in your brightest available indoor spot.
5. Parsley
Parsley needs ample sunlight and space to grow, conditions not always easy to provide indoors. When kept inside, parsley can become leggy, with long stems and sparse leaves.
Its appearance becomes less appealing, and its culinary usefulness diminishes as growth becomes sparse. Additionally, low light can cause parsley to become pale, affecting its flavor and nutritional value.
For lush, flavorful parsley, opt for an outdoor garden bed or a bright windowsill with plenty of direct sunlight, ensuring it gets the energy it needs to flourish.
6. Cilantro
Cilantro has a short life cycle, making it a tricky herb to grow indoors. It requires consistent lighting and temperature, which indoor environments often struggle to provide.
Rapid changes in these conditions lead cilantro to bolt or develop discolored, droopy leaves. This can be disappointing for those expecting fresh cilantro for extended periods.
To extend its growing season, consider successive sowing outside or utilizing grow lights indoors to maintain steady conditions, helping cilantro thrive longer.
7. Thyme
Thyme is a sun-loving herb that often struggles indoors due to insufficient light. It requires well-drained soil and frequent trimming to maintain its compact shape.
In indoor settings, thyme can become sparse and leggy, with yellowing leaves indicating stress from inadequate light or nutrient deficiencies.
To encourage healthy growth, place thyme in a sunny outdoor spot, or supplement with grow lights indoors to replicate its preferred sunny conditions and prevent legginess.
8. Oregano
Oregano thrives in bright, warm environments, but it often struggles to find such conditions indoors. Without sufficient light, it can grow leggy and weak, losing its robust flavor.
This herb also prefers well-drained soil, which can be hard to maintain in indoor pots, risking root rot. It requires regular pruning to encourage bushy growth and prevent leggy stems.
For best results, place oregano outside in a sun-drenched location or ensure it has access to bright, indirect light indoors.
9. Sage
Sage requires plenty of sunlight and air circulation, making it a poor candidate for indoor growth. When grown inside, it often receives inadequate light and ventilation, leading to dull, wilted foliage.
Sage’s robust flavor can diminish without proper care, and its leaves may curl or become discolored under stress. This can make it less appealing both visually and in culinary use.
To maintain vibrant sage, consider outdoor cultivation where it can bask in sunlight and enjoy natural breezes, or use supplemental lighting indoors.
10. Dill
Dill’s delicate structure demands ample light and space, conditions not often met indoors. Without enough light, dill can become spindly and top-heavy, prone to toppling over.
Its fronds may brown or lose their aromatic quality, making it less desirable for culinary use. Additionally, dill has a deep root system, requiring a larger pot than typically available indoors.
For a more robust dill plant, cultivate it outside where it can spread out and receive full sun, or provide a deep container and grow lights indoors.