Indoor Kitchen Herb Growing Guide
Cultivating fresh herbs indoors transforms your kitchen into a year-round green oasis. This guide walks you through setting up your herb garden, tackling common pests and diseases, and harnessing Lost Coast Plant Therapy for natural, effective protection.
1. Setting Up Your Indoor Herb Garden
Choosing the Ideal Location
- North-facing windows provide the best natural light for sun-loving herbs.
- Supplement with LED grow lights (12–14 hours daily) if natural light is insufficient.
- Ensure good air circulation with a small fan to strengthen stems and prevent mold.
Containers & Potting Mix
|
Container Type |
Pros |
Cons |
|
Clay pots |
Breathable, prevents overwatering |
Heavier; dries out faster |
|
Plastic pots |
Lightweight, retains moisture |
Less airflow around roots |
|
Fabric grow bags |
Excellent aeration, root pruning |
Frequent watering required |
- Use pots with drainage holes or add a gravel layer to avoid waterlogging.
- Choose an organic, soilless potting mix with coconut coir, perlite, and vermiculite for optimal root health. Incorporate worm castings or slow-release organic fertilizer into the mix.
Choosing Your Herbs
Start with beginner-friendly, compact herbs that thrive in containers:
- Basil: Warm, full sun (6–8 hr./day)
- Parsley: Moderate light, slow yet steady growth
- Mint: Vigorous spreader—use its own pot
- Thyme & Oregano: Sun-loving, drought-tolerant
- Rosemary: Bright light, good air circulation
- Chives & Cilantro: Moderate light, regular moisture
Containers and Soil
- Pot size: 150–200 mm diameter for longer harvests; 100 mm is OK if replacing often
- Drainage: Ensure pots have holes; remove saucers post-watering to avoid waterlogging
- Mix: Premium indoor potting mix amended with perlite or sand for drainage; avoid garden soil
Light Requirements
- Natural light: Minimum 6 hr direct sun/day; south- or southwest-facing windows ideal
- Supplemental: LED grow lights 6–12 in above pots, 12–16 hr/day, rotating plants weekly for even growth
Watering and Humidity
- Check moisture: Water when top 25 mm soil feels dry; water deeply, then let excess drain
- Avoid overwatering: Herbs dislike “wet feet”; match watering to each herb’s preference
- Humidity: Mist occasionally or use pebble trays for herbs in dry kitchens; avoid proximity to vents
Temperature and Feeding
- Ideal: 18–24 °C; keep away from cold drafts or hot vents; basil needs > 21 °C
- Fertilizer: Slow release in potting mix, plus fortnightly liquid feed (fish emulsion or balanced fertilizer) during active growth2
Pruning and Harvesting
- Pinch tips to encourage bushy growth; cut above leaf nodes
- Harvest in mornings for maximum flavour; never remove > ⅓ at once
- Remove flower buds (e.g., basil) to sustain leaf production
2. Disease and Pest Management
Common Pests and Symptoms
|
Pest |
Symptoms |
Notes |
|
Aphids |
Leaf curl, honeydew, sooty mold |
Cluster under leaves; use Lost Coast Plant Therapy |
|
Spider mites |
Yellow/brown speckles, fine webbing |
Thrive in dry air; increase humidity or Lost Coast Plant Therapy |
|
Whiteflies |
Yellowing leaves, sticky residue, mold |
Catch with yellow sticky traps; or spray with Lost Coast Plant Therapy |
Common Diseases
- Powdery mildew: White powder on leaf surface; impairs photosynthesis
- Root rot: Brown, mushy roots and wilting foliage; from waterlogged soil
- Rust: Orange pustules on leaf undersides; common on mints
- Defense: Ensure good drainage, morning watering, ample airflow, remove affected foliage
- Treat with Lost Coast Plant Therapy
Preventive Cultural Practices
- Space pots for airflow; rotate to prevent leggy growth
- Water soil, not foliage; avoid evening watering
- Clean tools between uses; discard severely diseased plants
- Practice companion planting (e.g., marigolds, garlic) to deter pests
Organic and Natural Treatments
- Lost Coast Plant Therapy for soft-bodied insects This will not harm ladybugs or bees.
Using Lost Coast Plant Therapy
Lost Coast Plant Therapy is a biodegradable, food-grade foliar spray that suffocates pests on contact, adjusts leaf surface pH to inhibit fungi, and boosts plant resilience to stress.
How It Works
- Coats insects and eggs, causing dehydration & suffocation
- Citric acid & sodium citrate buffer leaf pH, creating an unfavourable surface for mildew and spores
- Supports plant tolerance to heat, cold, drought or flood when used as directed6
Application and Dosage
|
Treatment |
Dosage per L water |
Frequency |
|
Maintenance |
7–14 ml |
Once weekly |
|
Heavy Infestation |
14–21 ml |
Daily for 7 days, then resume weekly |
- Metric equivalent: ~30 ml per 4 L (1 oz/gal) for general use
- Saturate entire plant: stems, leaf tops & undersides
Best Practices
- Indoor: Apply with lights off; let foliage dry before lights on
- Outdoor: Spray early morning or evening when < 27 °C; avoid direct midday sun
- Can be applied up to harvest day; safe on food and medicinal herbs
Safety and Environmental Benefits
- Biodegradable, PBA-free formula in HDPE bottles
- Safe for bees, ladybugs, earthworms when used correctly
- No harmful residues; dries quickly (≈ 15 min), no crop stress
By combining sound cultural practices with an eco-friendly protector like Lost Coast Plant Therapy, you’ll enjoy a thriving indoor herb garden brimming with fresh, disease-free flavors.
Happy gardening—and may your kitchen always smell of mint, basil, and thyme!