Grow Herbs at Home: 7 Easy Wins for a Greener Kitchen

Grow herbs at home, they said. It’ll be relaxing, they said. I believed them, and surprisingly, they were right! It started with one pudina cutting in a steel dabba. I had no plan, no proper pot, and definitely no green thumb. But that little sprig grew. Slowly. And watching it flourish on my windowsill gave me a joy that no online grocery order ever could.

Now I have a cosy kitchen corner with tulsi, dhania, ajwain, and sometimes even lemongrass (on good days). No fancy gear, no terrace, not even direct sunlight all day. Just a few hacks, a pinch of patience, and reused pickle bottles. Trust me, when you grow herbs at home, you feel like a part-time magician.

Why grow herbs at home?

Fresh herbs make everything better, no? Tadka smells divine, chai feels more homely, and there’s something emotionally satisfying about snipping your own tulsi every morning. It’s not just about the kitchen. It’s about creating a little green ritual that’s yours.

Plus, with prices of herbs rising and fridge stocks wilting in two days, growing herbs indoors saves both money and waste. It’s honestly a sustainable, budget-friendly win. One more reason to grow herbs at home without overthinking it.

Best herbs to grow in pots

Here are the herbs that have survived my most distracted weeks:

• Tulsi – Sacred, easy, and super forgiving.
• Pudina – Loves sun, but grows even in partial light.
• Coriander (Dhaniya) – From spice box to sprout in 4 days.
• Ajwain – Surprisingly hardy and great for digestion.
• Lemongrass – Once rooted, it minds its own business.

If you’re new to this, start with pudina or tulsi. They’re the real MVPs of any Indian kitchen herb garden. It’s one of the easiest ways to grow herbs at home with minimal effort.

How to grow herbs at home

I’ve tried (and failed) enough times to know what not to do. Here’s a system that actually works:

1. Pick a sunny-ish spot – Kitchen windowsill, balcony, or even your gas stove corner if it gets light.
2. Reuse old containers – Plastic dabbas, broken mugs, steel bowls. Poke drainage holes and you’re sorted.
3. Use regular potting soil + compost – I mix some from our society compost pit.
4. Water sparingly – Too much love equals rotting roots. Stick your finger in the soil first.
5. Label with masking tape – Especially if you’re growing dhania and ajwain side by side. Learnt that the hard way.

Want to make your windowsill bloom? Grow herbs at home using whatever you already have , no need to buy fancy stuff.

My biggest goof-up?

I once grew a whole pot of what I thought was pudina… proudly snipped it into raita… and realised it was some weed. Not the tasty kind. So yes, labelling is important.

Quick DIY herb planter ideas

Where to go from here?

If you love little home systems like this, check out this guide on kitchen organizing. It’s got more of those “Oh this actually works!” moments.

And if you want a big city take, The Better India has a brilliant write-up on urban balcony herb gardens. Totally worth bookmarking!

One last note from my kitchen

Grow herbs at home not just for fresh flavour or budget tricks. Do it for the slow joy of watching something thrive. Mine don’t always look pretty. Sometimes the pudina goes bald. Sometimes I forget to water tulsi on Monday.

But every plant that survives, even half-heartedly, feels like a small, quiet win. And in a home that juggles chaos, kids, and chai, that’s no small thing. To anyone doubting if they can manage it , you totally can. Just grow herbs at home one cutting at a time.

Try one cutting. Just one. And let me know how it goes.

FAQs 

Q1: Which herbs are easiest to grow indoors in India?

A1: Tulsi, pudina, coriander, and ajwain grow well indoors with moderate sunlight.

Q2: Can I grow herbs at home without pots?

A2: Yes! Use reused containers like steel dabbas, mugs, or plastic jars with drainage holes.

Q3: How much sunlight do indoor herbs need?

A3: 3–4 hours of indirect light is enough for herbs like tulsi and pudina.

Shruti Menon

A proud homemaker from Bangalore, Shruti believes that managing a home is no less than running a company — just with more laundry and less appreciation! From meal planning and kitchen hacks to balcony gardening and DIY cleaning routines, she shares honest, real-life tips to help women simplify their daily hustle. At WTribe, Shruti writes for the Home & Hustle category, offering warm, practical advice with a dose of humour and a lot of heart.