10 Proven Tips to Grow Herbs Indoors Without Sunlight

One of the best and most useful hobbies you can take up is growing herbs inside. Nothing surpasses the smell and taste of herbs you’ve grown yourself. Use fresh basil in spaghetti, mint in cocktails, and rosemary on roasted veggies.

But what if you live in an apartment, a place with a lot of snow, or a house with no windows that gets a lot of sun? The good news is that you don’t need direct sunshine to grow healthy, colorful plants inside. Even in places with limited natural light, you can create an indoor herb garden that thrives with the right methods.

This book has 10 tried-and-true tips based on gardening science and the experiences of home growers that will help you grow herbs indoors without sunlight.

1. Choose Herbs That Thrive in Low Light

When it comes to how much light they need, not all plants are the same. Some Mediterranean herbs, like rosemary, thyme, and lavender, enjoy the sun and will have a hard time growing indoors without extra light. But other people do astonishingly well in the dark or with fake light.

The best herbs to thrive in low light are

Mint is tough, grows quickly, and can handle indirect light.
Parsley grows slowly, yet it can adapt to many situations.
Chives are small, easy to grow, and taste great.
Cilantro (sometimes called coriander leaves) grows nicely in grow lights or indirect lighting.
Lemon balm is a mint family plant that does well in the shade.
Oregano can live in light that isn’t too bright.

You will be more likely to succeed if you start with forgiving herbs.

2. Use Full-Spectrum LED Grow Lights

Artificial light is a valuable resource when natural light is scarce. LED grow lights are cheap, energy-efficient, and made to look like the natural light spectrum that plants require to flourish.

Important things to think about:

Full-spectrum LEDs give off both blue and red light, which is necessary for healthy leaves and strong stems.
To make sure that the light covers all of your plants evenly, put the lamps 6 to 12 inches above them.
Set a timer to provide your herbs 12 to 16 hours of light every day, like in the summer.

In the US, EU, and Canada, popular choices include small clip-on grow lights, strip LEDs, and lamp systems that stand on their own.

3. Pick the Right Containers

Herbs don’t need direct sunlight, but they do need good roots. Choosing the right container is crucial.

There is no way around drainage holes. Roots can decay without them.
Choose materials that let air flow, such as clay or cloth pots.
Vertical planters or pots that hang on rails are suitable for small spaces.

The size of the container is also important. Chives and thyme can grow in smaller pots, but basil, mint, and parsley do best in medium pots (6–8 inches).

4. Focus on Quality Potting Mix

The soil is what makes indoor gardening possible. When you use regular garden soil indoors, it gets too hard and chokes the roots. Instead, use a potting mix made just for container herbs that drains properly.

What to look for:

Look for a lightweight texture that incorporates perlite or vermiculite to aid in drainage.
Use organic compost or coco coir to hold in moisture.
The pH level should be neutral to slightly alkaline, ranging from 6.0 to 7.5.

A beneficial combination makes sure that herbs get the nutrients and oxygen they need.

5. Water Smartly, Not Excessively

Herbs that grow indoors need a steady atmosphere to make up for the natural circumstances of gardens outside.

Most plants need it to be between 65 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit (18 and 24 degrees Celsius). Do not put pots near heating vents or in drafts.

Humidity: The air inside can be rather dry, especially in the winter. 40–60% humidity is ideal for herbs like basil and cilantro.

Answers:

Put a humidity tray (a small pan of water with pebbles in it) under the pots.
Put plants in groups to make a microclimate.
Mist the leaves lightly, but not too much, to stop fungus from growing.

6. Maintain Optimal Temperature and Humidity

Herbs that grow indoors need a steady atmosphere to make up for the natural circumstances of gardens outside.

Most plants need it to be between 65 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit (18 and 24 degrees Celsius). Do not put pots near heating vents or in drafts.
Humidity: The air inside can be rather dry, especially in the winter. 40–60% humidity is ideal for herbs like basil and cilantro.

Answers:
Put a humidity tray (a small pan of water with pebbles in it) under the pots.
Put plants in groups to make a microclimate.
Mist the leaves lightly, but not too much, to stop fungus from growing.

7. Feed Herbs With Balanced Fertilizer

Herbs depend on soil nutrients a lot when there isn’t any sunlight. Fertilizing them makes them strong and tasty.

During the active growth phase, use a balanced liquid fertilizer every two to three weeks.
If you want to cultivate organically, use fish emulsion, worm castings, or compost tea.
Be careful: too much fertilizer makes leaves grow thick but taste vile.

Keep in mind that herbs that are cultivated for their leaves, like basil or parsley, need more nitrogen. Herbs that are grown for their flowers, like chives or cilantro, also need phosphorus.

8. Prune and Harvest Regularly

Pruning isn’t just for picking; it also helps plants grow thicker and fuller.

When herbs are 4 to 6 inches tall, pinch back the tips.
You should never pick more than one-third of a plant at a time.
Regular harvesting stops herbs from bolting (flowering), which can make the leaves taste bad.

For instance, you should cut basil from the top down, but you can cut chives close to the base.

9. Rotate Plants for Even Growth

Plants may still reach for the strongest light source, even with grow lights. To maintain them strong and even:

Every few days, flip the pots a quarter turn.
As plants grow larger, change the height of the light.
Look for yellowing or straining leaves, which are evidence of inconsistent light.

This little procedure makes sure that herbs don’t become weak or uneven.

10. Troubleshoot Common Indoor Herb Problems

Most issues are easy to fix if you know what they are, but growing herbs without sunlight can be hard.

Leggy growth: Make the light last longer or strengthen it.
Leaves turning yellow could mean that you are watering too much or not giving them enough nutrients.
Check the temperature and the timetable for fertilizing if your plants are growing slowly.
Aphids and spider mites are pests. Use neem oil spray or insecticidal soap to get rid of them.

If you keep a tight check on your plants, you can resolve tiny problems before they become big ones.

Bonus: Creative Indoor Herb Garden Ideas

Once you know the basics, try out some entertaining setups:

You can create a garden on the kitchen windowsill using clip-on grow lights.
Use mason jars as planters for growing mint or basil.
Herb kits that let you grow without soil.
The design features LED panels mounted on a vertical herb wall.

These imaginative ideas not only make the most of your space, but they also make your herb garden a lovely part of your home.

Conclusion

You don’t need a greenhouse or a sunny backyard to enjoy the taste of fresh herbs. Even without natural light, you can cultivate a healthy indoor herb garden by adhering to these 10 proven strategies.

Finding the right balance of light (using LEDs), soil, and watering is crucial, along with constant plant care. Growing herbs inside is possible and rewarding, regardless of where you live—whether it’s an apartment in New York, a flat in Berlin, or a house in Toronto.

Start with easy-to-grow herbs like mint or parsley. Get a nice grow light, and you’ll be able to pick fresh, fragrant herbs all year long.