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The addition of herbs in different cuisines rises their flavors magically. Here are some unique flavored herbs that are super easy to grow and require very low maintenance. So, flourish these aromatic herbs indoors, and harvest them fresh whenever you need in your kitchen.
One of the best herbs to grow indoors is chives; it is super easy to grow and can give you a year-round harvest. Its mild-onion flavored green stalks taste best when picked fresh and goes well with salads, pasta, and scrambled eggs. Even its purple blossoms are edible and you can use them to garnish salads.
Tip: Although it likes the full sun, it can grow in part shade as well; for indoors prefer a south-facing window.
Part shade with adequate watering is the basic requirement for growing mint indoors. Thanks to its cooling effect on the tongue, its extensively used in preparing drinks (mojito), salads and savory dishes. Available in multiple flavors, you can grow any variety like apple mint if you are fond of apple scent, or a chocolate mint for getting the chocolaty hint.
Tip: For the potency of flavor, you should harvest its sprigs before it starts flowering.
Oregano is extensively used in Italian and Greek cooking due to its mild and earthy taste. It can be grown easily in pots indoors. Either you can harvest its fresh leaves, and chop it to spice up pizzas, soups, and marinades or you can store its dried sprigs in an airtight container to enjoy it year-round.
Tip: Harvest the oregano once its stems grow at least 4-5 inches tall, and cut only 2/3 portion of the plant.
One of the main ingredients of bouquet garni, rosemary has needle-like leaves having a lemon-pine tang, that pairs well with poultry dishes, stews, and soups. Apart from adding plenty of taste in dishes, its distinctive fragrance helps in improving memory and relieving anxiety.
Tip: Either snip its fresh stalks for using it fresh or cut some sprigs and store it in an airtight container for using it later.
Apart from the culinary uses, it also works as an ornamental plant, thanks to its gray-green leaves and purple blossoms. Its leaves with sweet and musky essence go well with lip-smacking dishes like pasta, bean soups, pizzas, and marinades. With the right combination of light, water, and soil, sage can be easily grown indoors.
Tip: Sage likes full sun nurturing, so keep them at the south or west-facing window.
The chopped leaves of cilantro can become a great addition to savory and spicy dishes. Its intense earthy zest makes it an important ingredient of the Asian and Mexican cuisines. Also, using cilantro in meals helps in reducing sodium intake naturally.
Tip: Cilantro is ready to harvest after 3-4 weeks of sowing the seeds.
Basil can not be missed from this list, due to its countless health benefits. Its sweet mild flavor enhances the taste of the pesto and sauces. You can grow them easily in your kitchen windowsill. Some of the best varieties, you can grow indoors are Thai basil, Dark Opal, and Sweet basil. In Italy, basil is popular for pennichella, which helps in digestion during an after-lunch nap.
Tip: Growing basil is super easy, just choose a 6-8 inches pot having enough drainage holes for growing them.
Make sure you don’t have cats if you are growing catnip indoors, as its green-grey foliage releases a fragrance due to the Nepetalactone compound, which attracts felines. Minty flavored catnip with a hint of citrus enhances the flavor of salads and meat dishes. Also, using it in the herbal teas helps in relieving insomnia.
Tip: A bright, south-west facing window and plenty of watering are ideal requirements for growing catnip indoors.
Give your grilled and roasted dishes a boost of thyme. Its flavor is very earthy, with a slight minty tang, which pairs well with chicken, custards, and croquettes. This sun-loving herb can happily grow on an east-facing windowsill. You can even use compact fluorescent lights for growing it indoors.
Tip: A well-draining soil and regular watering are the crucial factors to grow it indoors, but make sure that the topsoil dries before the next watering.
The feathery leaves of dill are highly aromatic and can give your salads and pickles a kick of tangy flavor. Thanks to its anise-like flavor, which makes it an important ingredient of cold soups and yogurts. For indoors, grow dill at the bright spot, where it can avail 5-6 hours of sunlight.
Tip: Use a deep and large pot of 10-12 inches diameter for growing it. For the ultimate in indoor herb growing convenience, we recommend giving the Aerogarden a try. This particular version comes with a 6-pod kit including Genovese Basil, Curly Parsley, Dill, Thyme, Thai Basil and Mint.
Elly Rey is a content writer on BalconyGardenWeb. Their website serves millions of visitors with fresh and informative content every month.
