Indoor vs. Outdoor: Finding the Best Spot for Your Herb Garden
Choosing a Home
Is your basil happy on the windowsill, or is it secretly begging to be moved outside? Choosing the right home for your herbs is the most critical decision you'll make, fundamentally changing their light exposure, air flow, and watering needs.
This vital choice affects everything from their growth vigor to, crucially, how often they'll need water. A sunny kitchen window provides filtered light, drastically slowing evaporation and increasing the risk of root rot. In contrast, an open patio or balcony provides unfiltered, intense sun and wind, meaning the plant dries out far faster and requires daily attention. We'll show you how to set up the perfect environment, indoors or out, so you can successfully grow your favorite fresh flavors. Let’s break down the realities of both growing environments so you can set your herbs up for success.
The Indoor Herb Garden (The Controlled Environment)
Growing herbs inside is convenient, clean, and provides fresh flavor right in your kitchen. However, indoors is a much more challenging environment for sun-loving herbs.
Indoor Pros and Cons:
Pros:
Super convenient! You can snip fresh herbs while you are cooking!
Pest Protection! There is definitely less of a chance of attracting outdoor pests.
Climate Control! No reason to worry about gale force winds, torrential downpours or scorching summer heat. You can control the environment.
Cons:
Light Quality. Windows filter light which reduces the intensity and cuts out a lot of the necessary UV that plants need to flourish.
Air Circulation. Winds are important to herbs. Stagnant air can encourage fungus and moisture issues.
False sense of security. Depending on your windows age and seal, your windowsills might still get quite cold at night. Depending on how sensitive your plants are, they may need to be moved around over the course of the day to stabilize the soil temperature.
The Outdoor Herb Garden (The Ideal Environment)
Outdoors is where herbs naturally thrive. The intensity of the sunlight, the natural airflow, and the access to rain are exactly what they love.
Outdoor Pros and Cons:
Pros:
Optimal Growth! Maximim light and circulation prmote robust, flavorful plants
Higher Yeild! Plants will grow bushier leading to much more of a harvest
Natural Domancy! You perennial herbs like Thyme can thrive for years!
Cons:
Pests: Outdoors is their domain. Aphids, mites, grubs and other pests can easily move in if you aren't careful!
Weather dependence: Sudden freezes, heavy rain and scorching heatwaves all present a real risk.
Frequent watering: You need to really stay on top of your watering schedule. High heat and winds will pull moisture from the soil and may lead to daily watering!
Critical Adjustments!
The Indoor Success Formula!
If you choose to grow indoors make the following adjustments.
Light: To get the most out of your sunlight, use a south-facing window or invest in a grow light. Plants that require 6 hours of intense sun outside will require 14 hours inside!
Watering: Water less often! You will not have nearly the evaporation that you experience outdoors and heavy watering will risk root rot. Only water them if they are thirsty!
Pests: While you are avoiding outdoor predators you still need to be on the look out for gnats and spider mites which are tiny enough to sneak inside and turn your herb into their new edible house!
The Outdoor Success Formula!
Outdoor growing requires vigilance against extreme elements but the care is much closer to what the herbs naturally expect.
Light: Use the shadow test to confirm 6+ Hours of unfiltered sunlight for your Mediterranean herbs. For all others, use the same test to meet their unique requirements!
Water: You will need to water more often. Evaporation can dry your plants out fast...especially if they are in containers!
Pests: Check often for pests. Preventative care will pay off dividends!
Location Spotlight: Herb-Specific Recommendations
To really tie everything together, let's look at how the indoor/outdoor location impacts specific herbs based on their preferences:
Basil: The High-Light, High-Humidity Drinker
Outdoor: Thrives! Place it in the sunniest spot and water deeply every day or two. This is Basil's happy place.
Indoor: Challenging. Must be in a south-facing window or under a grow light. Be very careful not to overwater, as the high humidity it loves outdoors (which keeps it from wilting) is often absent indoors, making it susceptible to dry air damage and root rot.
Rosemary: The High-Light, Low-Water Minimalist
Outdoor: Thrives! Place in all-day sun. Water thoroughly, then ignore it until the soil is bone-dry.
Indoor: Very Challenging. It requires intense light that a normal window usually cannot provide. It struggles with low indoor light and poor air circulation. If indoors, give it the absolute brightest spot and let it dry out completely between waterings to prevent mildew.
Mint: The Shadier, Wetter Exception
Outdoor: Thrives, even in partial shade! Keep it in its own container and water more often than your other herbs, as it likes consistently moist soil.
Indoor: Excellent choice. Mint adapts well to partial shade (east-facing windows) and the slightly cooler indoor temperatures. Just ensure you still let the top inch of soil dry out to prevent fungal issues.
Chives: The Easiest Indoor Herb
Outdoor: Excellent! Can handle cooler weather and partial shade easily.
Indoor: Highly Recommended. Chives tolerate the lower light of a typical home better than almost any other culinary herb. They are tough, pest-resistant, and come back reliably even after being cut repeatedly. Place them in any bright, non-south facing window (east or west) for best results.
Conclusion: Making the Final Call
Choosing between indoor and outdoor isn't a commitment for life—you can always move your herbs! The key is understanding that Indoor = Less Water and Outdoor = More Water (and better growth).
If you are a true beginner, we highly recommend starting your toughest herbs (Basil, Rosemary) outdoors if possible, where they naturally get the light and air they crave. If you must be indoors, stick to the most forgiving herbs like Mint and Chives first.
You've got the knowledge to match your herbs to their perfect spot! Happy Growing!