Growing Your Own Herbs All Year Round: Indoor & Outdoor Herb Gardens

Growing herbs all year round is easy and well suited to urban living. Windowsills, balconies, and rooftops — like those used by many restaurants — offer ideal conditions when herbs are grown in pots with good light and drainage.

Hardy herbs such as rosemary, thyme, sage, bay leaf, and chives can stay outdoors year-round, while tender herbs like basil, parsley, cilantro, mint, and dill prefer bright indoor spots in winter. Mixing both ensures a steady supply in every season.

Herbs are also highly decorative. Indoors, group basil, parsley, and chives in matching pots on a kitchen windowsill or on a tray. Outdoors, combine rosemary, thyme, and oregano in long planters for a Mediterranean look, or pair mint and chives in separate pots to control growth while adding freshness to balconies and terraces. On rooftops, use heavier containers and mix bay leaf, sage, and rosemary for structure and fragrance.

Practical Tips

• Use pots with good drainage and light soil

• Place herbs in bright natural light

• Water moderately, avoiding excess moisture

• Protect outdoor pots from frost and wind

• Harvest regularly to encourage growth