Imagine reaching over to your windowsill and picking fresh herbs and spices while cooking no grocery run required. Growing edible spice plants indoors not only adds life to your home but also fills it with delicious aromas and flavors. Many spice plants thrive in pots and are surprisingly easy to grow with just a sunny spot and a little care. Here are 10 easy indoor spice plants that you can grow all year long to flavor your dishes and freshen up your space.
1. Basil (Ocimum basilicum)
Basil is one of the easiest and most rewarding herbs to grow indoors. Its vibrant green leaves and sweet, peppery scent make it a kitchen favorite for dishes like pasta, pesto, and salads. Basil thrives in a sunny windowsill with at least 6 hours of direct sunlight a day. Keep the soil consistently moist but not soggy, and pinch back the leaves regularly to encourage bushier growth. Basil can grow happily in a container year-round, especially if supplemented with a small grow light in winter.
2. Chives (Allium schoenoprasum)
Chives are a hardy, low-maintenance herb that brings a mild onion flavor to eggs, soups, and sauces. Their grass-like leaves grow quickly and can be snipped as needed. Chives thrive in a sunny window but also tolerate moderate light, making them perfect for indoor herb gardens. Keep the soil moist but well-drained, and divide clumps as they grow. They’ll continue to produce fresh growth year-round indoors and even offer delicate purple flowers if you let them bloom.
3. Mint (Mentha spp.)
Mint is a fast-growing perennial herb known for its invigorating scent and flavor. Whether you grow spearmint, peppermint, or chocolate mint, it’s a refreshing addition to teas, desserts, sauces, and cocktails. Indoors, mint prefers a bright spot with indirect light and evenly moist soil. Because it spreads aggressively, mint is best grown in its own pot. With regular pruning and adequate water, mint can flourish indoors all year, providing fragrant foliage that’s always ready to be picked.
4. Cilantro (Coriandrum sativum)
Cilantro adds a bright, citrusy note to many cuisines, from Mexican to Indian. Although it’s known for bolting quickly outdoors, growing cilantro indoors lets you manage its life cycle more easily. Place it in a sunny window or under a grow light, and keep the soil moist. Cilantro grows best in cooler indoor temperatures and can be harvested by snipping leaves as needed. For continuous supply, try succession planting new seeds every few weeks for a constant crop.
5. Parsley (Petroselinum crispum)
Parsley is a culinary essential with two main varieties: curly and flat-leaf (Italian). It grows well in containers and thrives in bright, indirect sunlight. It prefers rich, well-drained soil kept consistently moist. Harvest by cutting the outer leaves at the base, encouraging the plant to keep producing. Not only does parsley add flavor and color to countless dishes, but it also serves as a natural breath freshener. With proper care, parsley can be harvested year-round from your kitchen counter.
6. Thyme (Thymus vulgaris)
Thyme is a fragrant, woody herb with a subtle, earthy flavor that’s perfect for roasting, soups, and marinades. It’s highly suited for indoor growing due to its small size and tolerance for dry conditions. Thyme loves full sun and prefers its soil on the drier side, so be careful not to overwater. This perennial herb is slow-growing but long-lived. Simply snip sprigs as needed and enjoy fresh thyme year-round. Bonus: it smells amazing when you brush past it.
7. Oregano (Origanum vulgare)
Oregano brings bold, peppery flavor to Italian, Greek, and Latin dishes and it’s incredibly easy to grow indoors. It prefers a warm, sunny location with well-draining soil. Like thyme, oregano doesn’t like wet feet, so allow the soil to dry slightly between waterings. It can be harvested regularly by cutting stems just above a leaf node. Fresh oregano has a more vibrant flavor than dried and makes an aromatic addition to pizzas, sauces, and stews straight from your windowsill.
8. Bay Laurel (Laurus nobilis)
Bay laurel is a beautiful and aromatic evergreen shrub that can be grown indoors in pots. Its glossy, dark green leaves are used to flavor soups, stews, and braises. Indoors, bay laurel needs a sunny window and well-draining soil. It grows slowly, so patience is key, but the leathery leaves are potent just one or two are enough to flavor an entire dish. Prune to shape and control its size, and you’ll have a compact, useful, and elegant culinary plant year-round.
9. Lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus)
Lemongrass is a tropical herb with a citrusy aroma that brings brightness to curries, teas, and stir-fries. It’s easy to grow indoors in a sunny window or under a grow light. Start from a stalk with the base intact (often available at grocery stores), place it in water until roots develop, then transplant it into a pot. Keep the soil moist and give it plenty of light. You can trim stalks from the base as needed for cooking just leave some for regrowth.
10. Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum)
Fenugreek is a lesser-known but wonderfully useful spice plant that’s easy to grow indoors. It’s commonly used in Indian cuisine and has a slightly sweet, nutty flavor. Both the leaves (called methi) and seeds are edible. It grows well in shallow containers in bright sunlight and is fast-growing—often ready to harvest within a few weeks. Sow seeds thickly and harvest young greens like microgreens or let it grow longer for fuller leaves. It’s nutritious, aromatic, and perfect for kitchen gardens.