5 Easy Herbs I Love Growing at Home (and You Can Too!)

There’s something so rewarding about snipping fresh herbs straight from your windowsill or backyard. If you’ve ever thought about growing your own herbs but weren’t sure where to start, I’ve got you covered. Herbs are an easy, budget-friendly way to bring fresh flavour to your meals, and growing them at home is surprisingly fun.

Whether you're working with a sunny windowsill, a balcony, or a backyard garden, these five herbs are some of the easiest to grow, and some of my personal favourites.

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Basil

Basil is one of those herbs I always have growing nearby. It brings such a fresh, peppery-sweet flavour to everything from pastas to strawberry salads. Most of us associate basil with Italian cooking, but it actually originated in parts of Africa and Southeast Asia. Today, there are tons of varieties, like Thai basil with its slight liquorice taste and classic sweet basil that pairs beautifully with mozzarella, balsamic, and tomatoes.

For beginners, I recommend picking up a basil plant from your local garden centre. It’s ready to use and easy to care for. If you’re feeling adventurous, you can also start from seed. Just plant the seeds in moist soil and cover with about an inch of soil. They’ll begin sprouting in about a week.

Basil loves warmth and sunshine. Whether indoors or out, make sure it gets about 6 to 8 hours of light daily. If you’re keeping it on a windowsill, watch for cold drafts. A mini greenhouse or sun lamp can help your plant thrive indoors. Basil is an annual, so it’ll need to be replanted each year, but trust me, it’s worth it.

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Chives

Chives are such an easy win in the herb garden. They have a mild onion flavour and add a little something special to dishes like baked potatoes, devilled eggs, and creamy dips. You can even eat the blossoms, which look beautiful in salads.

What I love most is how low maintenance they are. Chives are tough, perennial plants, which means they come back every year with barely any effort. They’ll grow in partial shade but do best with steady sunshine. You can grow them indoors, on a balcony, or directly in your garden. Just make sure the soil isn’t too dry and has some compost mixed in.

Once planted, chives don’t need much babysitting. Keep them trimmed, give them water when the soil dries out, and they’ll keep growing. In the fall, just cut them back and they’ll be ready to return in the spring.

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Parsley

Parsley is one of those herbs people either love or hate. I’m definitely in the love it camp. It’s packed with vitamin C and brings out the flavour of almost anything you pair it with, lentils, steak, pasta, even pesto.

It’s easy to grow and makes a lush, green addition to any garden or kitchen. Parsley is technically a biennial, which means it’ll go to seed in its second year. But in colder regions like ours, it usually acts more like an annual. I like to grow mine from seed, but starter plants work just as well.

Parsley grows well in pots or in the garden. Give it moist soil and a mix of sun and shade. Be careful not to cover the crown of the plant with mulch, as it can lead to rot. And don’t be surprised if it shoots up to a foot tall. It’s a beauty.

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Dill

If you’ve ever had fresh dill with roasted potatoes or salmon, you’ll understand why this herb makes my list. Dill has a soft, almost grassy flavour that works well with seafood, eggs, and of course, pickles.

Dill is an annual, so it’ll last just one season, but it’s super easy to grow and self-seeds if left in the garden. It attracts lots of helpful pollinators too.

Dill doesn’t like to be transplanted, so it’s best to sow it directly where you want it to grow. I plant the seeds about a quarter inch deep and keep them 18 inches apart. After a couple of weeks, you’ll see little plants sprouting up. Once they’ve got a few leaves, you can start harvesting. Dill needs about 6 to 8 hours of sunlight a day, and if you’re growing it indoors, a pot with good drainage and some extra light will help it thrive.

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Thyme

Last but not least, thyme. This herb is a staple in my kitchen year-round. It has a strong, earthy flavour with notes of mint and pine. I use it in everything from roast chicken to tomato sauces, and sometimes even in desserts with berries.

Thyme is a little trickier to grow from seed, so I usually start with a clipping or a small plant. It does best in containers with good drainage and loves full sun. Indoors, I use stones at the bottom of the pot to keep the roots from getting soggy.

Give it regular watering, but let the soil dry out a bit between drinks. Trim it back when it gets too leggy and it’ll reward you with loads of fragrant sprigs.

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Growing your own herbs is a simple pleasure that adds flavour to your meals, beauty to your space, and a little bit of joy to your day. Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or just getting started, these five herbs are an easy and rewarding place to begin.

Let me know if you’d like a printable version of this list or tips on how to style your indoor herb garden. Happy growing!

-From our garden to yours, Cozyn’s