Create a Windowsill Herb Garden

An Easy DIY for Any Time of Year!

If you love cooking with fresh herbs but struggle to keep them from going bad before you can use them, consider growing your own! It’s easier than you think, and you don’t need a garden to get started—your windowsill might be the perfect spot.

Whether you're new to gardening or just don’t have a lot of time or space, you can start small with a few of your favorite herbs and a handful of jars. Caring for a few plants is much less time-consuming than maintaining a full garden, but you’ll still enjoy many of the same benefits.

Having greenery in your home, especially during winter, will lift your spirits. Plus, fresh herbs will taste so much better than store-bought ones!

The Benefits of Growing Your Own Herbs

It doesn’t have to be a major lifestyle change—just a few small steps (or plants!) can make a big difference. For more on the benefits of growing your own food, check out our post on Why Gardening is Good for You.

When you grow your herbs together, you’ll have everything in one place when you’re ready to cook. It also makes harvesting easier. By regularly pinching the tops of your plants to encourage growth, you'll get the most out of what you've planted. This "snip and eat" method lets you enjoy fresh herbs or dry them for later use. Remember: the more you pinch, the better they’ll grow. A pinch to grow an inch!

How to Get Started

1. Choose 3 to 6 herbs to start with. You can buy plants at your local garden center, Walmart, or even the grocery store, or start from seeds.

Some great herbs for beginners include:

Basil

Chives

Oregano

Sage

Rosemary

Parsley

Cilantro

Peppermint or Spearmint

Lemon Balm

Lemongrass

3. Pick your containers: Choose a glass jar or similar-sized container for each plant. Alternatively, you can plant multiple herbs in one or two large containers. For more container gardening ideas, click [here].

4. Prepare the soil: Use a good potting mix and fill each container about one-third to halfway with soil.

If you’re using potted plants: Gently remove the plant from its container and place it in the soil. Fill in the soil around the roots, patting it down lightly. Water the plant well.

If you’re using seeds: Fill your container halfway to two-thirds with soil and follow the instructions on the seed packet.

5. Place your herb garden in a sunny spot and give it a good drink of water. Be sure to follow care instructions for each plant or seed, and soon you’ll have a bounty of fresh herbs right at your fingertips!

Using Fresh Herbs vs. Dried Herbs

When a recipe calls for fresh herbs, you can easily substitute dried herbs—just use one-third of the amount. Dried herbs are more concentrated, so a little goes a long way! Conversely, when using fresh herbs in place of dried, you'll need about three times as much to match the flavor.

We love using dried herbs in soups, sauces, casseroles, homemade salad dressings, seasoning salts, and tea blends. Beyond cooking, dried herbs are great for making herb-infused oils (for both edible and topical use) and for DIY natural body care products like salves and homemade lip balms.

For more ideas on growing culinary herbs and spices, visit our Garden page.