1. Mary Beth Culver, Gul Behsudi, and Sid Abel
Indoor Herb Gardening
Mary Beth Culver, Gul Behsudi, and Sid Abel
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2. College of
Agriculture and
Natural Resources

3. What you will take away from today
How to successfully grow herbs indoors
Cultivation
Soils/Growing medium
Nutritional needs
Insects and disease control
Herbs to grow indoors
Harvesting your bounty
Sources of Information

4. Herbs
Plants valued for their flavor, fragrance, medicinal and insecticidal qualities or economic or industrial use, or in the case of dyes, for the pigments they provide

5. History
“An herb is the friend of physicians and the praise of cooks.” – Charlemagne
Lascaux cave paintings depict herbs dating back perhaps as much as 25,000 years!
Referenced in Indian, Chinese and Egyptian writings for medicinal uses
In the Middle Ages, herbs were uses to preserve meat, mask odors, and were associated with witchcraft and paganism
First accounts of food use or in cooking date back to the Romans

6. Why Grow Herbs?
Easily grown indoors or outdoors, in pots or in the garden
Very little space is needed
Few pests or diseases
Rewards are tangible

7. Indoor Container Cultivation
Types of plants:
Annuals
Biennials
Perennials
Grown from:
Seeds
Cuttings
Division of roots
Well drained growing medium using soil-less mix and compost or Leafgro

8. Indoor Container Cultivation
Prefer full sun or under grow lights
6 or more hours of sun daily
Under lights, hours under T-5
fluorescent lights (more expensive than
T-8 lights, 2-3 times the output)
Fertilize sparingly with a slow
release form, if at all
Water requirements depend
on indoor environment and location

9. Soils The right mixture: 50% compost and 50% soilless potting mix, OR…
30% Topsoil (weedless commercial)
30% Compost
30% Peat Moss
10% Perlite
Test soil pH
is optimal

10. Indoor Nutritional Needs
Fertilizer: seedlings will require an initial small dose
Plants should be fed about every 2 weeks
Most sources recommend natural or organic – follow the label
Water when the soil feels dry to the touch – don’t drown them!

11. Insects and Disease
Less susceptible possibly because of their fragrance and flavors
Major insects:
Aphids Whiteflies
Mites Slugs

12. Control of Diseases and Insects
A healthy growing environment is important to control insects and especially diseases
Mechanical control – preferred for light insect infestation
Chemical control of insects:
Home Remedies - insecticidal soap, Neem oil, lemon or vinegar spray
Registered pesticides - Safer’s Insecticidal Soap and EcoBlend Organic Insecticidal Soap

13. Ideal Indoor Herbs
Most any herb can be grown indoors, good light, water and the right nourishment are key
Food Favorites:
Sweet basil Dill Mint
Chives Oregano Parsley
Cilantro Sage Thyme
Aromatic Favorites:
Lavender Aloe vera Chamomile

14. Harvesting and Preserving
Highlights
Harvesting:
Flowers – Pick as they fully open
Seeds – Fully ripe (no green showing)
Leaves – depends on the species
Preserving:
Freezing – Rinse well, pat dry, cut into small pieces and place on waxed paper or ice cube tray wrapped in freezer bags.
Drying:
Similar to dehydrator directions; bundle stems removing leaves near base, secure with elastic band, hang in dark cool location.

15. References
(search HG #600)

16. References
Herb gardening from ground up , 2012 by Sal Gilbert and Larry Sheehan
Homegrown herbs, 2011 by Tammi Hartung
Beautiful easy herbs, 1997 by Laurence Sombke

17. Resources Grow It! Eat It! http://www.extension.umd.edu/growit
We have all types of practical food gardening tips and information. Check out our popular blog!
Home and Garden Information Center
Here you will find factsheets, photos, and videos. You can also subscribe to the free monthly e-newsletter.
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18. This program was brought to you by the
Maryland Master Gardener Program
Howard County
University of Maryland Extension
Remember to put in the correct county!
Created by Jon Traunfeld, Extension Specialist, UME; 2014; revised 2/15