Plants used for food and medicine.Many herbs can be grown indoors in the spring and summer months.In the past, herbs were placed on sunny windowsills to promote growth.Long periods of intense light are needed for herb growth indoors.To accommodate for the lighting requirements of herbs, many indoor gardeners now use grow lights.Plants can be grown indoors under lights.
Step 1: Determine what herbs will thrive indoors.
Not all herbs grow well indoors.Short-lived annuals are not suited for indoor growth and do not produce continuous crops.You can grow healthy plants indoors with the following varieties of herbs: Grolau chives (Allium schoenoprasum), Fernleaf or dwarf dill (Anethum graveolens), English mint (Mentha spicata), Greek oregano (Origanum Vulgare hir
Step 2: Determine the amount of herbs to grow.
The amount of herbs you grow should be determined by how much you use them.If you make homemade pesto from basil leaves regularly, you will need larger quantities of those herbs.One plant should suffice if you only use a scattering of oregano on an occasional pizza.
Step 3: For continued winter growth, bring in existing potted herbs.
Perennial herbs grow well in the winter when given the right growing conditions.Perennial herbs can be brought in to grow indoors.Perennial herbs can be replanted directly in the garden.Plants that normally return the next growing season may be killed by the transplant shock.Perennial herbs can be grown indoors during the winter.
Step 4: Understand the lighting needs of your herbs.
Different lighting conditions are required for each type of herb.Determine the lighting needs based on the herbs you will be growing.Most herbs need 10 to 16 hours of supplemental light.Light intensity is required for your herbs.The light intensity is determined by the bulb wattage of the indoor lights and how close the plant needs to be to the light source.Foot candles are used to measure the indoor light's brightness.The amount of light hitting a given area is referred to as foot candles.Plants need a high light intensity to grow.Evaluate the light spectrum color for your herbs.Natural sunlight has a spectrum from red to yellow to violet.The blue and red light are the most important for photosynthesis.Red light stimulates flowering and vegetative growth, while blue light regulates plant growth.
Step 5: Consider fluorescent lighting for your plants.
Low intensity lighting is ideal for herbs.60 to 80 lumens per watt is 2 to 3 times more light than incandescent bulbs.At a distance of 6 inches (15.2 cm) away from the bulbs, fluorescents provide 700 foot (213.4 m) candles.Natural light is most closely mimicked by full-spectrum fluorescent lighting.The phosphor coating on the inside of the bulb creates the light color.If full-spectrum natural light tubes are not available, use a combination of standard warm- and cool-white tubes.To accommodate for the lower intensity lighting, place herbs close to the fluorescent lighting source, no more than 8 inches (20.3 cm) from the tube.The least expensive option for indoor gardening is fluorescent lighting.
Step 6: Consider the high-intensity discharge lights.
HID lamps are used by most commercial herb producers.They produce more light than other bulbs.120 to 130 watt HID lighting is available in 150 watt to 1,000 watt bulbs.The 400 watt HID lights can illuminate 25 square feet and provide 1,000 foot candles at a distance of 3 feet away from the bulbs.High-pressure sodium and metal halide lights are available.Strong plant growth is promoted by a bluish-white light from metal halide HID lights.High-pressure sodium lamps give off a reddish light.To make sure the lights don't burn the vegetation, place herbs several feet away from the lighting source.Energy-efficient lighting can be achieved with the use of HID lights.
Step 7: Plants can be grown indoors if you choose a location.
You can grow herbs in almost any location in your home if you use indoor lights.The temperature is the most important factor.The best time to grow herbs is in the 70 degrees F to 21.1 degrees C range.The herbs should not be found near a heat source.Consider the humidity.Herbs need a lot of humidity to grow.If the air in your home is dry, place the herb containers in a tray lined with stones.To get to the bottom of each container, fill the tray with enough water.The water is ideal for growing herbs.
Step 8: Provide adequate lighting.
How much light is required for your herbs depends on the intensity of your light source.Most herbs need 10 to 16 hours of supplemental light.Keep in mind the distance between the herbs and the light source.The light source you use will affect the distance.If the light source is too close, place your hand in the herb plant.It's too close to feel warmth from the light.If you use fluorescent lighting, the plants should be moved every week.rotate the plants weekly to ensure even light coverage because fluorescent bulbs are more intense at the center.
Step 9: Plants can be grown in the proper soil.
Most herbs thrive in acidic soils.To improve drainage, plant herbs in a compost-based soil.
Step 10: Water herbs.
When the soil feels dry, water the herbs.Wait until you see the water coming out of the pot.Plants may become waterlogged or develop diseases if they are overwatered.
Step 11: Fertilizing herbs is important.
Most indoor herbs benefit from occasional feeding.If you follow the instructions, you can fertilize herbs every 2 weeks.Plants should only be fed when they are growing.The herb plants may be killed by too much fertilize.
Step 12: Cultivate plants.
Harvest the herbs regularly to promote growth and longevity.All plants should be trimmed back.The energy of the herb will go to flower production, rather than plant growth, which will shorten its life.