Herbs for Indoors / Windowsill Growing

German Chamomile – Seeds (Matricaria recutita)

Bring calm and fragrance to your garden with German Chamomile, a charming annual herb prized for its daisy-like white flowers and soothing aroma. Traditionally used for herbal teas and natural remedies, this variety is easy to grow, highly productive, and also attracts pollinators to your garden. A perfect choice for herb beds, borders, and pots.

How to Grow

. Sow indoors from February to April, lightly pressing seeds onto the surface of moist compost – do not cover as they need light to germinate
. Transplant seedlings outdoors after the last frost, spacing 20–25 cm apart
. Alternatively, sow outdoors directly in April to May in well-drained soil
. Prefers a sunny position with average to light soil
. Water sparingly, as chamomile thrives in slightly dry conditions

Key Features

. Delicate white blooms with yellow centers
. Traditional herb for calming teas and remedies
. Attracts bees, butterflies, and beneficial insects
. Easy to grow, tolerant of poor soils
. Ideal for borders, herb gardens, and containers

Ideal For

. Herbal tea lovers and home remedies
. Pollinator-friendly gardens
. Cottage gardens and borders
. Container growing

Sowing & Harvest

. Sow: February – May
. Harvest: June – September

Quick Tip

Harvest flowers on warm, dry days and dry them for homemade chamomile tea with the best flavor and aroma.

Clary Sage – White Swan Seeds (Salvia horminum)

Bring elegance and fragrance to your garden with Clary Sage – White Swan (Salvia horminum). This striking annual herb is prized for its large, pure white bracts that surround tiny flowers, creating a dramatic, eye-catching display. Both ornamental and aromatic, it’s an excellent choice for garden beds, borders, and cut flower arrangements.

How to Grow

• Sow indoors in early spring or directly outdoors after the last frost.

• Choose a sunny location with well-drained soil.

• Lightly cover seeds with fine soil and keep moist until germination (10–20 days).

• Thin seedlings once large enough to handle, spacing them about 20–25 cm apart.

• Water regularly but avoid waterlogging.

• Deadhead spent blooms to encourage prolonged flowering.

Key Features

• Pure white bracts that create a bold floral display

• Easy-to-grow annual, fast to flower in a single season

• Aromatic foliage, often used in traditional remedies and crafts

• Excellent as a cut flower for fresh or dried arrangements

• Attracts bees, butterflies, and other pollinators

Ideal For

• Cottage gardens and flower borders

• Cutting gardens and bouquets

• Pollinator-friendly landscapes

• Containers and decorative pots

Sowing

• Best time: Early spring indoors or outdoors after frost

• Germination: 10–20 days

• Sow thinly, cover lightly, and keep soil consistently moist

• Prefers full sun and well-drained soil

Quick Tip

• For a longer display, stagger sowings every few weeks during spring and early summer.

Chives ‘Bohemia’ – Seeds (Allium schoenoprasum) – Hardy Perennial

Chives ‘Bohemia’ is a hardy perennial herb, perfect for overwintering and providing fresh growth year after year. Known for its fine, hollow green leaves and mild onion flavor, it’s a versatile kitchen herb ideal for salads, soups, sauces, and garnishes. In summer, attractive purple-pink flowers appear, loved by bees and pollinators, making this a decorative as well as useful garden plant.

How to Grow

• Sow indoors: February – April in pots or trays at 15–20°C.

• Sow outdoors: April – July in finely prepared soil.

• Thin or transplant seedlings to 20 cm apart.

• Prefers full sun or partial shade and well-drained soil.

• Cut regularly to encourage fresh growth.

Key Features

• Hardy perennial herb with overwintering growth

• Fine, mild onion-flavored leaves

• Decorative purple flowers attract pollinators

• Easy to grow in pots, borders, or herb gardens

• Reliable year-round harvests

Ideal For

• Fresh salads, soups, sauces, and garnishes

• Herb gardens, borders, and containers

• Attracting bees and pollinators

Sowing & Harvest

• Sow: February – July

• Harvest: May – October, with regrowth in spring

Quick Tip

Divide clumps every few years to maintain healthy growth and extend the lifespan of your chive plants.

Chia – Seeds (Salvia hispanica)

Chia (Salvia hispanica) is an ancient superfood crop, grown for its tiny black seeds packed with nutrition. Rich in omega-3 fatty acids, fiber, protein, and antioxidants, chia seeds are a versatile kitchen staple, perfect for smoothies, puddings, baked goods, or simply sprinkled over salads and yogurt. Easy to grow, chia is a fast-developing annual that also produces delicate blue-purple flowers, making it both useful and ornamental.

How to Grow

• Sow indoors or outdoors: April – June in warm soil or pots.

• Soil: Well-drained, light soil in full sun.

• Spacing: 25–30 cm apart.

• Water lightly but regularly until plants are established.

• Harvest seeds when flower heads dry and turn brown.

Key Features

• Ancient superfood crop

• Tiny seeds rich in omega-3, fiber, and protein

• Easy to grow annual with purple-blue flowers

• Dual-purpose – edible and ornamental

• Perfect for smoothies, puddings, and baking

Ideal For

• Kitchen gardens and health-conscious growers

• Smoothie bowls, baking, and healthy snacks

• Gardeners looking for edible flowers and seeds

Sowing & Harvest

• Sow: April – June

• Harvest: September – October

Quick Tip

For best germination, sow chia in warm soil or start indoors on a sunny windowsill. Harvest seeds by gently shaking dried flower heads.

Chervil – Seeds

(Anthriscus cerefolium) – Classic Culinary Herb

Chervil is a delicate, aromatic herb with finely cut, fern-like leaves and a subtle aniseed flavor. Often called the “gourmet’s parsley”, it is an essential ingredient in French cuisine and one of the traditional fines herbes (with parsley, tarragon, and chives). Best used fresh, chervil enhances soups, salads, omelets, fish, and sauces, adding a refined, mild flavor.

Key Features

• Type: Annual culinary herb

• Height: 30–50 cm

• Leaves: Finely cut, light green, fern-like

• Flavor: Mild anise, delicate and fresh

• Harvest: 6–8 weeks after sowing

• Use: Fresh leaves for seasoning

Ideal For

• Culinary herb gardens & kitchen windowsills

• French and Mediterranean dishes

• Continuous harvest in small spaces

• Pairing with parsley, tarragon & chives

Sowing & Growing

• Sow outdoors: March–August, directly into the soil.

• Depth: 0.5 cm, thinly in rows 20 cm apart.

• Germination: 14–21 days at 12–18°C.

• Position: Partial shade, moist, humus-rich soil.

• Harvest: Young leaves as needed.

Care Tips

• Regular sowings every 3–4 weeks ensure a constant supply.

• Avoid hot, sunny locations (prefers cool shade).

• Use leaves fresh – drying reduces flavor.

Winter English Thyme – Seeds

(Thymus vulgaris)

Winter English Thyme is a hardy, aromatic perennial herb prized for its culinary and medicinal uses. Its evergreen foliage adds fragrance to the garden, while tiny, delicate flowers attract pollinators. Ideal for herb gardens, rockeries, or container planting, this versatile thyme provides year-round flavor and garden interest.

Why Grow Winter English Thyme?

• Aromatic evergreen foliage for culinary and medicinal use

• Hardy perennial suitable for year-round growth

• Attracts bees and pollinators

• Versatile for herb gardens, rockeries, and containers

Key Features

• Type: Perennial herb

• Height: 15–30 cm

• Flowers: Summer, small pink or purple blooms

• Position: Full sun

• Soil: Well-drained, moderately fertile

Ideal For

• Herb gardens and culinary use

• Rockeries and container planting

• Pollinator-friendly gardens

• Evergreen groundcover and edging

Sowing & Growing

• Sow indoors: February–April in seed trays

• Sow outdoors: April–May directly in prepared soil

• Germination: 14–21 days at 18–20°C

• Spacing: 20–30 cm between plants

• Care: Low maintenance; trim regularly to maintain shape and encourage new growth

Wild Marjoram – Oregano – Seeds (Origanum vulgare)

Wild Marjoram (Oregano) is a hardy perennial herb cherished for its fragrant leaves and delicate pink-purple flowers. A staple of Mediterranean cooking, oregano adds a rich, earthy flavor to pizzas, pasta, sauces, and roasted vegetables. Beyond the kitchen, its nectar-rich flowers are a magnet for bees and butterflies, making it a wonderful addition to herb gardens, borders, and pollinator-friendly spaces.

How to Grow

• Sow indoors: March – May in seed trays or pots.

• Transplant outdoors: After the last frost in a sunny, well-drained spot.

• Spacing: 25–30 cm apart.

• Oregano prefers light, well-drained soil and thrives in warm, sunny conditions.

Key Features

• Aromatic herb essential for Mediterranean cuisine

• Hardy perennial, easy to grow

• Attracts bees and butterflies with summer blooms

• Suitable for pots, containers, or borders

• Drought-tolerant once established

Ideal For

• Culinary herb gardens

• Fresh or dried use in cooking

• Pollinator-friendly borders

• Container growing on patios or balconies

Sowing & Harvest

• Sow: March – May

• Harvest: June – October (leaves can be harvested fresh or dried)

Quick Tip

For the most intense flavor, harvest oregano leaves just before flowering, and dry them in a cool, airy place.

Summer Savory 'Midget' – Seeds (Satureja hortensis)

Summer Savory ‘Midget’ is a compact, fast-growing annual herb, prized for its spicy, peppery flavour that resembles thyme and oregano. This dwarf variety is especially suited for container growing, raised beds, and small herb gardens.

Traditionally used to season bean dishes, meats, soups, and stews, it is also excellent fresh or dried as a versatile culinary herb. With its neat, bushy growth habit and aromatic leaves, ‘Midget’ is both decorative and useful in the kitchen.

How to Grow

• Sow indoors: March – April in pots or trays

• Sow outdoors: April – June, directly into prepared soil

• Depth: Lightly cover seeds with soil (approx. 0.5 cm)

• Spacing: 20–25 cm between plants

• Position: Sunny, well-drained spot

• Soil: Light, sandy, moderately fertile

Key Features

• Compact dwarf variety – ideal for pots and small spaces

• Distinct peppery flavour – a classic bean seasoning

• Culinary herb for meats, stews, soups, and sauces

• Can be used fresh or dried

• Hardy, quick-growing, and easy to maintain

Harvesting

• Harvest from: June – September

• Pick fresh leaves regularly to encourage new growth.

• For winter use, cut and dry whole sprigs just before flowering.

Toothache Plant – Seeds (Spilanthes oleracea)

The Toothache Plant (Spilanthes oleracea) is an unusual and fascinating herb, known for its small, bright red flowers and unique tingling effect when chewed. Traditionally used for its medicinal properties, it adds interest to herb gardens, containers, and edible landscaping. Easy to grow and fast-maturing, it’s a conversation-starting plant that also attracts pollinators.

Why Grow "Toothache Plant"

• Bright red, cone-shaped flowers

• Unique tingling sensation when chewed

• Traditional medicinal and culinary uses

• Attracts bees and other pollinators

Key Features

• Type: Annual herb (Spilanthes oleracea)

• Height: 30–60 cm

• Flowering: Summer

• Position: Full sun, well-drained soil

• Uses: Herb gardens, containers, edible landscaping, pollinator-friendly plantings

Ideal For

• Herb and medicinal gardens

• Container and patio planting

• Pollinator-friendly gardens

• Educational or conversation-starting gardens

Sowing & Growing

• Sow indoors: February–April in seed trays

• Sow outdoors: April–May after frost

• Germination: 10–20 days at 18–22°C

• Transplant seedlings 25–30 cm apart

• Prefers full sun and moderately fertile soil

• Keep soil moist for best growth