Indoor Herb Garden Guide UK

Not sure which setup is right for you?

Fresh herbs whenever you want them. No more £2 plastic packets that wilt within days. An indoor herb garden is perhaps the most practical entry point to hydroponics.

Why Herbs Work Indoors: Most culinary herbs are naturally compact. They tolerate varying conditions. Harvesting is continuous rather than all-at-once. And the economics work: fresh herbs are expensive to buy but cheap to grow.

Best Herbs to Start:

Basil: Fast growing, eager in hydroponics. Harvest leaves continuously for months of production. Needs warmth and light.

Mint: Grows enthusiastically. Keep it contained or it'll take over. Various types (spearmint, peppermint, chocolate mint) all work.

Coriander: Some varieties bolt quickly in warm conditions. Look for slow-bolt varieties. Harvest leaves and let it flower for coriander seeds.

Parsley: Slower to start but productive once established. Both flat-leaf and curly work.

Chives: Easy and attractive. Harvest by cutting, regrows repeatedly.

Light Requirements: Herbs need 12-16 hours of light daily. A sunny south-facing window works for some but often isn't enough for strong growth.

A small LED panel (around 20-50W) transforms results. Place lights 15-30cm above plants.

Simple Kratky Setup: The easiest method for herbs. Mason jars or small containers, nutrient solution, net pots, and plants. No pumps required.

Single herb cost: Under £5 for a jar setup plus seedling.

Multiple herb garden: Under £30 for a storage box system with 4-6 herbs.

Harvesting Properly:

Basil: Pinch above leaf nodes to encourage branching. Never take more than one-third of the plant at once.

Mint: Cut stems above leaf joints. It'll branch and regrow quickly.

Parsley: Harvest outer stems first, letting the centre continue growing.

Cut-and-come-again: Most herbs regenerate. Harvest regularly to encourage bushier growth.

The Economics: A basil plant from a garden centre costs around £1-2. With care, it produces for 3-6 months. That's £30+ of supermarket basil packets from a single plant.

Setup costs (around £30-50) typically repay within 2-3 months of regular harvesting.

Common Mistakes:

Overwatering in soil pots: Hydroponics eliminates this. Roots access what they need.

Insufficient light: The main indoor growing challenge. Supplemental lighting helps.

Not harvesting enough: Herbs become leggy without regular cutting.

Our Recommendation: Start with basil and mint. They're forgiving and fast. Expand once you're harvesting regularly.

A simple Kratky setup on a windowsill with supplemental LED lighting covers most herbs successfully. No tent required.

Our quiz can recommend specific setups based on your available space and light conditions.

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