Gardening does not have to stop when temperatures drop, as growing herbs on a windowsill is a simple way to keep colour and fresh flavour in the kitchen through the colder months. Most plants stop growing in winter, but herbs such as basil, mint, thyme and chives can flourish indoors with minimal effort.
Basil and mint are easy starters
Basil seeds can grow in cooler temperatures despite the plant's warmer origins. To start, choose a small pot or seed tray with drainage holes and fill it with a light, well-draining seed-starting mix or multi-purpose organic compost. Place the setup on a south-facing windowsill where possible, though a full-spectrum LED grow light also works.
Pre-moisten the potting mix until damp but not waterlogged, scatter basil seeds sparingly over the surface, and press them down gently. Cover with a light dusting of soil and place a clear plastic bag over the pot to retain moisture and warmth until germination, which typically takes 3 to 7 days.
Mint is even more straightforward, as it tolerates cooler conditions well. Use an 8-inch-deep container with drainage holes and fill it with a well-draining seed-starting or potting mix. Distribute a small handful of fine mint seeds thinly across pre-moistened soil, leaving them uncovered or pressing them in lightly with about 1/8 to 1/4 inch of soil. Mist the surface with a spray bottle to avoid dislodging the delicate seeds, then cover the pot during germination, which usually takes around 14 to 21 days.
Thyme and chives for drier spots
Thyme adapts well to dry indoor conditions and heated homes. Plant it in a pot with a loose, fast-draining potting mix or buy a young starter plant from a garden centre, and place it beside the sunniest window. Allow the soil to dry out completely between waterings, soaking it thoroughly before emptying the drainage saucer, and continue harvesting thyme through winter.
Chives are arguably the ultimate indoor herb for colder months, coping well with faint winter sunshine and shifting windowsill temperatures. Use a rich, moisture-retaining yet well-draining potting mix and position the pot on a sunny south-facing windowsill, where chives thrive with around 4 to 6 hours of sunlight each day.
