15 Easy Herbs to Grow on a Kitchen Windowsill
By Priya Raman · September 2, 2026 · 10 min read
Quick answer
Mint, chives, parsley, basil, thyme, oregano and green onions are the most reliable windowsill herbs. All need a pot at least 5 inches deep with drainage, and 4–6 hours of direct light or an LED grow light.
A windowsill herb garden is the highest-value square foot in a small home: you cut what you need, nothing wilts in the fridge, and most of these plants produce for months.
The seven most forgiving herbs
| Herb | Light | Pot depth | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mint | Bright indirect | 6 in | Vigorous; keep in its own pot |
| Chives | 4 hrs direct | 5 in | Cut to 2 inches, regrows fast |
| Parsley | 4 hrs direct | 6 in | Slow to start, long-lived |
| Basil | 6 hrs direct | 6 in | Pinch weekly, hates cold |
| Thyme | 6 hrs direct | 5 in | Let soil dry between waterings |
| Oregano | 6 hrs direct | 5 in | Thrives on neglect |
| Green onions | Bright indirect | 4 in | Regrows from supermarket roots |
Eight more worth trying
- Cilantro — fast but short-lived; resow every 3 weeks.
- Dill — choose a dwarf variety for pots.
- Sage — slow, drought-tolerant, wants the sunniest spot.
- Rosemary — needs maximum light and sharp drainage.
- Lemon balm — as easy as mint, lovely in tea.
- Marjoram — milder oregano, very compact.
- Tarragon — one plant is plenty.
- Shiso — handsome and shade-tolerant.
Herbs that rarely work indoors
Lavender, bay and lemongrass all want more light and airflow than a windowsill provides. They survive but sulk. Skip them until you have a dedicated grow light setup.
How to harvest so plants keep producing
- Never take more than a third of the plant at once.
- Cut basil and mint just above a pair of leaves to trigger two new shoots.
- Shear chives and green onions to 2 inches rather than pulling them.
- Pinch flower buds off herbs grown for leaves — flowering turns leaves bitter.
Frequently asked questions
Which herb is easiest to grow indoors?
Mint. It tolerates lower light than most herbs, recovers from missed watering, and grows fast enough to harvest within weeks. Keep it in its own pot because it crowds out neighbors.
Can I grow herbs with no direct sunlight?
Mint, chives and lemon balm manage in bright indirect light. For basil, thyme and rosemary you will need a grow light run 12–14 hours a day.
Do herbs need to be repotted?
Yes — once roots circle the pot or water runs straight through, move up one pot size in spring with fresh mix.
