Indoor Herb Gardening - Selecting the Right Container



Posted: Sunday, November 22, 2009

by Lisa Summerfield
http://herbgardensolutions.com

Containers for indoor herb gardening can be made of different materials. According to their shape and size they create a unique environment for the herbs to grow in.

When you enter the front door, a tall purple pot housing a rosemary bush can look quite stunning, although there are some practical considerations to keep in mind when one starts indoor herb gardening, since the appropriate container will set up the environment for the herbs to grow in. Most indoor plants favor containers of five gallon capacity. Herbs however, which have shallow roots, will happily grow in smaller pots of about six to eight inches deep.
 
Warm spicy herbs require more heat in order to grow well and, as a rule of thumb in any indoor herb gardening, are planted in dark colored containers that easily absorb the light thus transferring extra heat to the soil. On the contrary cool herbs which belong to the lemon species call for containers that are pale in color and consequently do not absorb too much light.

For indoor herb gardening it is better to get several small pots rather than a large one, this way you can easily shift them in and out of the sunlight as well as monitor their growth rate.  Herbs take some time to regrow after they have been cut them back.  For instance, basil has about a three month regeneration period, therefore it is a good tip to sow it in three individual pots at one month interval and you will always have at least one pot of basil at its maximum growth while the other two are developing.  Other herbs such as lemon grass and mint will are ideal for indoor herb gardening because they both grow to fill whatever space they are in, for this reason it is better to restrain their sprawling habit by keeping them in pots.

When you buy seeds for indoor herb gardening, look for words like bush, dwarf and compact. Some shops sell seeds that are hybrids and grow efficiently in small spaces: these are created by keeping the concept of container gardening in mind.

The material of your containers for indoor herb gardening  is also important and this is not only an aesthetic matter but also a practical one so that the herbs get the best chance to grow.  You may like the look of some pretty plastic pots, but they do not allow the herbs to breath and cannot mimic the natural conditions that are found when herbs grow outdoors.  A clay or terracotta pot works best for indoor herb gardening since it is slightly porous and as a result will transport air and water to all levels of the soil.  The ochre terracotta pot also has a very classic look and if you like it can be jazzed up by a stripe of color or a pattern around the upper rim.

In the end, choosing the right containers for your indoor herb gardening is about what is best for the plant and what will complement your home.  As long as your herbs are thriving you have chosen a perfect container.

Lisa Summerfield is the author of "Secrets To A Successful Home Herb Garden" - compulsory reading for anyone considering to grow a thriving herb garden. Her website contains valuable information on indoor herb gardening and growing abundant herbs... Even if you have never grown a garden before!

For a FREE 10 part mini-course on "The Secrets To Growing Delicious Herbs at Home!" go to http://herbgardensolutions.com
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Top-level comments on this article: (3 total)
» left by Nenita Wells
 2 years 160 days ago.
299 fans.
The heat from the kitchen, will it affect the growth of the herbs? Thank you Lisa for writing this. Nenita
» left by Marijo Phelps
 2 years 159 days ago.
142 fans.
Maybe this is my high altitude answer? You write an intriguing atricle! Marijo
» left by Richard Vail
 2 years 159 days ago.
60 fans.
Thanks Ms. Summerfield, I always choose a container that's too small, thanks for the tips.
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