What Herbs Will Grow The Best In Your Kitchen

If you're tired of buying bunches of herbs from the store and watching them wilt before you can use them, an herb garden is a great alternative. They're pretty easy for beginners to grow, don't take up a lot of space, and are relatively inexpensive.

But you need to find the right place for your herbs so they can thrive to their fullest potential. Like most plants, herbs prefer to be outside when the weather is temperate, but if you want to grow yours indoors, keep in mind that most culinary herbs prefer full sun — six hours or more of direct sun per day, according to Epicurious. This is best achieved by placing herbs near an unobstructed south-facing window. Although many people keep their herb gardens in the kitchen for easy access, any room that provides the proper amount of sunlight will do.

Keep in mind that, while herbs have varying water needs (rosemary, lavender, and thyme prefer drier conditions than mint, chives, and basil do), they all require proper drainage to prevent the roots from sitting in water and rotting.

Now that we've outlined some of these basics, let's talk about which herbs, in particular, grow well indoors.

If you like to add a bit of fresh flavor on top of your pizza or pasta, growing basil might be for you. This herb prefers ample water, sun, and warmth, so place your plant in a south-facing window, and make sure the soil stays moist, per Good Housekeeping.

Perhaps the most popular garnish of all time, parsley is a pretty low-maintenance herb. Although it prefers full sun, it will still grow — albeit slowly — in a west- or east-facing window. Keep the soil consistently moist but don't go overboard with watering.

Who doesn't love a baked potato with sour cream and chives? Grow your own chives near your brightest window so it gets the full sun it craves. Just like the other herbs described here, this one prefers moist soil.

Since oregano is native to the Mediterranean, it should come as no surprise that this low-growing, spreading plant requires less water than other herbs. Let the soil dry out before watering again. Oregano will be happiest in a south-facing window.

Fragrant thyme also prefers full sun, but an east- or west-facing window will also do the trick. Most varieties of this plant are drought-resistant, so only water your thyme when the soil is dry to the touch.