Winter Resolutions

Did you make a New Year’s resolution yet, maybe taking better care of yourself, spending less, eating better, healthier lifestyle, or doing a family project? Consider rolling all this into one activity, growing herbs indoors.

This is a great hobby for the winter months. It serves as a reminder that better and warmer days are ahead. Growing your own herbs may give you incentive to cook at home more, saving money. Plus you control how your plants are grown, so no chemicals or pesticides are used by your own choice. Starting from seed is an economical alternative to potted mature plants, as most herbs can be moved from the windowsill to the garden or outdoor container when the growing season begins.

The availability of seeds is increasing. Mail order catalogs are arriving daily in the mail. Plus the packets are beginning to be displayed at your local garden center. These herbs can be grown indoors: parsley, rosemary, mint, chives, dill, basil, and thyme.

Generally, most herbs need six hours of direct sunlight. Either place herbs in a sunny location, for example, near a window with a southern exposure; or place herbs 6 to 12 inches from two 40 watt, cool white fluorescent bulbs for 14 to 16 hours daily. If plants are grown on windowsills, it will be necessary to rotate pots often so that each side gets enough light for uniform growth. Keep herbs in rooms that have at least a 65 to 70°F day and 55 to 60°F night temperature regimes. Water when the potting mix dries out, but do not let them dry out completely. Occasional misting sprays of water is beneficial as indoors air is less humid than outdoors.

As the plants grow, they will serve as an incentive to cook at home, eat better, spend less, and from their spot on the windowsill, remind you there are warmer days ahead.

For more information on this topic, the Penn State Master Gardeners in Lackawanna County have two publications: “Growing Herbs Indoors” and “Sowing Annual Seeds” which will help with the process. Please call 570-963-6842 or email: LackawannaMG@psu.edu and request a copy.


Steve Ward
Master Gardener Coordinator
Penn State Cooperative Extension in Lackawanna County
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