You don’t need a sun-drenched kitchen or a sprawling garden to enjoy fresh herbs all year long. Many delicious, aromatic herbs actually thrive in low-light conditions, making them perfect for growing indoors even on a shady windowsill. These culinary companions not only elevate your meals but also add greenery and fragrance to your home. Whether you’re a seasoned cook or an indoor gardening newbie, here are 10 low-light edible herbs that will thrive indoors and keep your dishes tasting garden-fresh.
1. Mint (Mentha spp.)
Mint is one of the easiest and most rewarding herbs to grow indoors. Thriving in cooler temperatures and indirect light, it’s perfect for shady windows or countertops. With minimal effort, mint produces a generous harvest of refreshing, aromatic leaves perfect for teas, desserts, salads, and cocktails. Its fast-growing nature means you can snip frequently without damaging the plant. Just keep it well-watered and in its own pot it’s a vigorous spreader even indoors!
2. Chives (Allium schoenoprasum)
Chives are a mild, onion-flavored herb that flourish in low-light spots, especially if they receive a bit of morning light. These slender green stalks are quick to regrow after cutting and are ideal for adding a subtle kick to eggs, soups, dips, and potatoes. Chives are compact, making them perfect for small pots or kitchen window boxes. They also produce edible purple flowers that can brighten up both your garden and your plate.
3. Parsley (Petroselinum crispum)
Both curly and flat-leaf parsley varieties grow well in indirect light and cooler indoor conditions. A favorite garnish and flavor enhancer, parsley is rich in vitamins and adds freshness to sauces, salads, and savory dishes. It prefers consistently moist soil and can grow happily in a windowsill planter. Snip the outer leaves first to encourage bushy growth. With a little care, parsley can produce for many months and even overwinter with ease indoors.
4. Cilantro (Coriandrum sativum)
While cilantro is often finicky outdoors in hot weather, it performs surprisingly well indoors with moderate light and cooler temperatures. Perfect for brightening up salsas, curries, and soups, this aromatic herb grows quickly but has a relatively short life cycle — so consider planting new seeds every few weeks for a continuous supply. Keep the soil lightly moist, and harvest often to prevent bolting. Bonus: its seeds are the spice known as coriander!
5. Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis)
Lemon balm thrives in partial shade and cooler indoor spaces, offering a lovely citrus scent and flavor that’s perfect for teas, desserts, and marinades. Its calming aroma also makes it a great addition to bedrooms or home offices. Easy to grow from seed or cutting, lemon balm does well in pots and only needs moderate watering. Regular harvesting keeps the plant full and helps prevent it from becoming leggy or flowering too soon.
6. Oregano (Origanum vulgare)
This Mediterranean favorite doesn’t require full sun to thrive. Oregano adapts well to indoor life with just a few hours of filtered light per day. Known for its bold, earthy flavor, it’s a kitchen staple in Italian, Greek, and Mexican cuisines. Keep it in well-draining soil and allow the top layer to dry out between waterings. Trim the stems regularly to encourage dense growth and to prevent the plant from becoming woody or sparse.
7. Thyme (Thymus vulgaris)
Thyme is a low-maintenance herb that does well in indirect light and dry soil conditions. Its tiny, aromatic leaves pack a flavorful punch, perfect for seasoning meats, soups, and vegetables. This hardy perennial stays small, making it ideal for windowsill growing. Allow the soil to dry slightly between waterings, and trim regularly to keep it neat and bushy. Thyme’s woody stems and evergreen nature make it both ornamental and incredibly useful year-round.
8. Bay Laurel (Laurus nobilis)
While bay laurel is more of a small indoor shrub than a soft-stemmed herb, it grows slowly and steadily in moderate light, even thriving under artificial grow lights. Its tough, glossy leaves are highly aromatic and essential for soups, stews, and sauces. Since you only need one or two leaves at a time, a single plant can supply you for years. Keep it in a well-draining pot and allow the soil to dry slightly between waterings.
9. Sorrel (Rumex acetosa)
Sorrel is a tangy, lemon-flavored herb that thrives in cooler conditions and can tolerate low light making it perfect for indoor growing. Its young leaves are tender and delicious in salads, soups, and sauces, offering a unique flavor similar to green apple or lemon zest. Harvest frequently to keep it producing new growth. Sorrel prefers moist, fertile soil and a spot that avoids direct sun. It adds both flavor and brightness to your indoor herb garden.
10. Vietnamese Coriander (Persicaria odorata)
Also known as Rau Ram, Vietnamese Coriander thrives in warm, humid conditions with partial light making it ideal for steamy kitchens or shaded indoor spots. Its spicy, citrusy flavor is similar to cilantro but stronger and more heat-resistant. It’s a favorite in Southeast Asian dishes and can be grown from cuttings in a container. Keep the soil moist but not soggy, and pinch back stems regularly to encourage lush growth and prevent legginess.