Edit Article

  • 4 Editors

  • Edited

Three Methods:Determine What Herbs to GrowEvaluate Indoor Lighting OptionsGrow Herbs Indoors

Herbs are plants used for culinary and medicinal purposes. Most herbs grow as annuals and perennials outdoors during the spring and summer months, but many herbs can be grown indoors as well. Traditionally, herbs were placed on sunny windowsills indoors to promote growth. However, sustained herb growth indoors requires long periods of intense light. To accommodate for the lighting requirements of herbs, many indoor gardeners now use grow lights to produce larger, healthier plants yielding year-round harvests of herbs. Use these tips to grow herbs indoors under lights.


Method 1 of 3: Determine What Herbs to Grow

  1. Grow Herbs Indoors Under Lights Step 1 Version 2.jpg
    Evaluate what herbs will thrive indoors. Not all herbs grow well indoors. Short-lived annuals like coriander, dill and garden cress, do not produce continuous crops and are not well suited for indoor growth.
    • Consider the following varieties of herbs that will yield healthy plants indoors: Grolau chives (Allium schoenoprasum), Fernleaf or dwarf dill (Anethum graveolens), English mint (Mentha spicata), Greek oregano (Origanum Vulgare hirtum), Blue Boy rosemary (rosmarinus officinalis), Creeping savory (Satureja repandra), Broadleaf thyme (Plectranthus amboinicus), Spice Globe basil (Ocimum basilicum minimum) and Dwarf Garden sage (Salvia officinalis compacta).
  2. Grow Herbs Indoors Under Lights Step 2 Version 2.jpg
    Determine what quantity of herbs to grow indoors. How many herbs you grow should be determined by how much you will use them. If you use rosemary springs in roasted chicken every week or make homemade pesto from basil leaves regularly, you will need larger quantities of those herbs. If you only use a scattering of oregano on an occasional pizza, then 1 plant should suffice.
  3. Grow Herbs Indoors Under Lights Step 3 Version 2.jpg
    Bring in existing potted herbs for continued winter growth. Many potted perennial herbs will provide continual harvests throughout the winter when provided with the right growing conditions. Consider bringing in perennial herbs like rosemary, sage and tarragon to grow indoors.
    • Avoid transplanting perennials herbs planted directly in the garden. The transplant shock may kill the plants that normally would return the next growing season. Only choose perennial herbs in pots to grow indoors during the winter months.

Method 2 of 3: Evaluate Indoor Lighting Options

  1. Grow Herbs Indoors Under Lights Step 4 Version 2.jpg
    Understand the lighting needs of your herbs. Each type of herb requires different lighting conditions for successful growth. Determine the lighting needs based on the herbs you will be growing indoors. In general, most herbs require 10 to 16 hours of supplemental light.
    • Evaluate the light intensity required for your herbs. The light intensity will be determined by the bulb wattage of the indoor lights and how close the plant needs to be to the light source. The brightness of an indoor light is measured in foot candles or lumens. Foot candles refers to the amount of light hitting a given area, while lumens is the amount of light at the actual light source. Most herbs and vegetable plants require a high light intensity to yield a harvest.
    • Evaluate the light spectrum color best suited for your herbs. Natural sunlight contains a complete light spectrum, from red to yellow to violet. While herbs require a full color spectrum for photosynthesis, blue and red light are most critical. Blue light regulates plant growth, while red light stimulates flowering and vegetative growth.
  2. Grow Herbs Indoors Under Lights Step 5 Version 2.jpg
    Consider fluorescent lighting for your herbs. Fluorescent tubes are a low intensity lighting option ideal for herbs. Fluorescent lighting provides 60 to 80 lumens per watt, which is 2 to 3 times more light than incandescent bulbs. At a distance of 6 inches (15.2 cm) away from the bulbs, fluorescents provide 700 foot candles; at a distance of 12 inches (30.5 cm) away, they provide 450 foot candles.
    • Choose full-spectrum fluorescent lighting that most closely mimics natural light. The light color is created by a phosphor coating on the inside of the bulb. If full-spectrum natural light tubes are not available, use a combination of standard warm- and cool-white tubes.
    • Place herbs close to the fluorescent lighting source, preferably no more than 8 inches (20.3 cm) from the tube, to accommodate for the lower intensity lighting.
    • Select fluorescent lighting as the least expensive option for indoor gardening.
  3. Grow Herbs Indoors Under Lights Step 6 Version 2.jpg
    Consider high-intensity discharge (HID) lights. Most commercial herb producers utilize HID lamps to grow herbs indoors. They typically produce 2 times more light than incandescent or fluorescent bulbs. HID lighting provides 120 to 130 lumens per watt, and is available in 150-watt to 1,000-watt bulbs. At a distance of 3 feet (.9 m) away from the bulbs, 400-watt HID lights provide 1,000 foot candles and can illuminate about 25 square feet (7.6 square meters).
    • Choose metal halide or high-pressure sodium HID lights. Metal halide HID lights give off a bluish-white light that promotes strong plant growth. High-pressure sodium lamps are the most energy efficient HID lighting option, and give off a reddish light.
    • Place herbs several feet or meters away from the HID lighting source to ensure the lights don't burn the vegetation.
    • Choose HID lights for energy-efficient lighting.

Method 3 of 3: Grow Herbs Indoors

  1. Grow Herbs Indoors Under Lights Step 7 Version 2.jpg
    Select a location to grow herbs indoors. When using indoor lights, you can grow herbs in almost any location in your home. The most important factor is temperature. Herbs grow best in temperatures below 70 degrees F (21.1 degrees C). Do not locate the herbs near a heat source, such as a heat vent or radiator.
    • Consider the humidity. Herbs require ample humidity to promote growth. If the air in your home is dry, place the herb containers in a tray lined with small stones. Fill the tray with enough water to reach the bottom of each container. The water will provide a humid environment ideal for growing herbs.
  2. Grow Herbs Indoors Under Lights Step 8 Version 2.jpg
    Provide adequate lighting. The intensity of your light source will determine how much light is required for your herbs each day. In general, most herbs need 10 to 16 hours of supplemental light.
    • Maintain proper distance between the herbs and the light source. The distance will vary depending on the type of light source you utilize. To determine if the light source is too close, place your hand where the light hits the herb plant. If you feel warmth from the light, it is too close.
    • Rotate the plants each week if you use fluorescent indoor lighting. Fluorescent bulbs are more intense at the center than at the ends, so rotate the plants weekly to ensure even light coverage.
  3. Grow Herbs Indoors Under Lights Step 9 Version 2.jpg
    Grow herbs in proper soil. Most herbs thrive in soils with pH levels between 6 and 7. To improve drainage, plant herbs in a compost-based soil mixed with sand, peat moss or perlite.
  4. Grow Herbs Indoors Under Lights Step 10 Version 2.jpg
    Water herbs regularly. After the initial planting, water herbs when the soil feels dry. Water thoroughly until you see water coming out of the bottom of the pot. Do not overwater indoor herbs, or the plants may become waterlogged, yellowish or develop mildew diseases.
  5. Grow Herbs Indoors Under Lights Step 11 Version 2.jpg
    Fertilize herbs. Most indoor herbs benefit from occasional feeding with an all-purpose water soluble fertilizer, fish emulsion or seaweed. In general, fertilize herbs every 2 weeks and follow the instructions based on the fertilizer type. Only feed plants when they are actively growing and do not over-fertilize. Too much fertilize may kill the herb plants.
  6. Grow Herbs Indoors Under Lights Step 12 Version 2.jpg
    Cultivate herbs. To promote continued growth and longevity, harvest the herbs regularly. Trim back all plants to prevent flowering. Once the herb flowers, its energy will go toward flower production, rather than plant growth, which will shorten its life.

Are you an expert on Fishing?

If so, share what you know about fishing with lures.


Thanks for sharing your knowledge.
We are a bit smarter today because of you.



  • If your herbs experience a slow growth period, refrain from harvesting and reduce the watering. Lower the indoor temperature to between 60 and 65 degrees F (15.6 and 18.3 degrees C) for a few days until plant growth resumes.
  • Replace fluorescent lighting when the ends of the tubes begin to darken.
  • Clean indoor lighting bulbs each month. Dirt and dust can decrease the amount of light emitted from the indoor bulbs.


  • Some herbs can be poisonous to humans and animals. Research the toxicity of the herbs you are growing. Do not grow toxic herbs indoors where small children or pets may access them.

Things You'll Need

  • Herbs
  • Pots or containers
  • Flat trays
  • Small stones
  • Fluorescent or HID lighting
  • Potting soil
  • Sand, peat moss or perlite
  • Water
  • All-purpose water soluble fertilizer, fish emulsion or seaweed

Related wikiHows

Article Info

Categories: Growing Herbs and Spices

Recent edits by: Teresa, Faris Morgan, Gaurang

In other languages:

Español: Cómo cultivar hierbas bajo luz en el interior


Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 25,361 times.

Did this article help you?


an Author!

Write an Article