Top 15 'Grocery-Bill-Slashing' Culinary Herbs to cultivate indoors for a Fresher Kitchen and a Fatter Wallet - Goh Ling Yong
Ever stood in the produce aisle, staring at a tiny plastic box of fresh herbs with a price tag that makes you wince? You need a few sprigs for a recipe, but you're forced to buy a whole bunch, knowing full well that the rest will likely transform into a sad, wilted sludge in the back of your fridge. It’s a frustrating cycle of waste and expense that every home cook knows too well.
What if I told you there’s a simple, rewarding, and incredibly cost-effective solution sitting right on your windowsill? Welcome to the world of indoor herb gardening! Cultivating your own culinary herbs is more than just a charming hobby; it’s a direct path to fresher flavors, reduced food waste, and a noticeably healthier grocery budget. It's a principle we champion here on the Goh Ling Yong blog: small, smart changes can lead to big, satisfying results.
This isn't about needing a sprawling garden or a fancy greenhouse. All you need is a sunny spot, a few pots, and a little enthusiasm. Get ready to transform your kitchen into a lush, aromatic oasis and your meals from good to gourmet. Here are 15 of the best "grocery-bill-slashing" herbs you can start growing indoors today.
1. Basil (The Pesto Powerhouse)
Is there anything that screams "summer" quite like the sweet, aromatic scent of fresh basil? This culinary superstar is a staple in Italian, Thai, and Vietnamese cuisines, but buying it fresh can be a real wallet-wringer. Those small plastic clamshells at the supermarket often cost a small fortune, and you're lucky if they last more than a couple of days in the fridge.
Growing basil indoors is incredibly rewarding and surprisingly simple. It’s a sun-worshipper, so find it the brightest, sunniest windowsill you have (a south-facing window is ideal). Keep its soil consistently moist but not waterlogged, and it will reward you with a continuous supply of fragrant leaves. Pinching the tops regularly encourages it to grow bushy and full, rather than tall and leggy.
Pro-Tip: Don't just snip off individual leaves! To harvest, pinch off the top set of leaves right above a node (where two leaves branch out). This will encourage the plant to send out two new stems from that point, doubling your future harvest. Before you know it, you'll have enough to whip up a batch of homemade pesto without a second thought.
2. Mint (The Refreshment King)
From mojitos and iced tea to fresh spring rolls and lamb dishes, mint is a versatile workhorse. A single bunch can be pricey, yet a single mint plant can produce an almost overwhelming supply. In fact, mint is so vigorous that growing it in a container indoors is the best way to keep it from taking over your entire garden!
Mint is one of the easiest herbs for beginners. It’s not fussy about sunlight and can thrive even in a spot with indirect light. It does like its soil to be consistently moist, so check on it every couple of days. There are many varieties to explore, from spearmint and peppermint to a delightful chocolate mint that's perfect for desserts.
Pro-Tip: Propagating mint is a breeze. Just snip a 4-inch stem, remove the lower leaves, and place it in a glass of water. Roots will appear in about a week, giving you a brand new plant to pot up or share with a friend.
3. Rosemary (The Hardy Aromatic)
The woody, pine-like aroma of rosemary can elevate roasted potatoes, chicken, and bread from simple to sublime. A single sprig can cost a few dollars, but a small potted rosemary plant will provide fragrant needles for years to come. It’s a hardy, drought-tolerant perennial that makes a beautiful and functional houseplant.
Rosemary loves sun and hates wet feet. Give it at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight and plant it in a well-draining potting mix (like a cactus or succulent mix). Water it thoroughly, but let the soil dry out completely between waterings. Overwatering is the fastest way to kill a rosemary plant.
Pro-Tip: Use woody rosemary stems as skewers for grilling! Strip the leaves from the bottom few inches of a sturdy stem and thread on your favorite veggies or meats. The stem will infuse a wonderful, smoky rosemary flavor as it cooks.
4. Chives (The Subtle Onion)
Tired of buying a whole bunch of green onions only to use the tops? Grow chives! They offer a delicate, mild onion flavor perfect for sprinkling over baked potatoes, eggs, soups, and salads. They are incredibly easy to grow and will regenerate quickly after being trimmed.
Chives are a great choice for a slightly less sunny windowsill, as they can tolerate partial shade. They grow in clumps from bulbs and appreciate consistently moist soil. The best part is the "cut-and-come-again" nature of the plant; you can snip what you need, and it will grow right back.
Pro-Tip: Don’t throw away the beautiful purple pom-pom flowers! They are edible and have a slightly stronger onion flavor than the leaves. Toss them in salads for a pop of color and a zesty bite.
5. Parsley (The Indispensable Garnish)
Often dismissed as a mere garnish, parsley is a culinary powerhouse packed with fresh, grassy flavor. It brightens up everything from sauces and marinades (hello, chimichurri!) to soups and salads. Both flat-leaf (Italian) and curly varieties are easy to grow indoors, but flat-leaf is often preferred for its more robust flavor.
Parsley enjoys bright, indirect light and moist soil. It can be grown from seed, but starting with a small plant from a nursery will give you a head start. Harvest the outer leaves first, allowing the inner leaves to continue growing and producing.
Pro-Tip: Don't toss the stems! While tougher than the leaves, parsley stems are packed with flavor. Finely chop them and add them to the base of soups, stews, or stocks for an extra layer of freshness.
6. Thyme (The Savory Staple)
This tiny-leafed herb packs a huge punch of earthy, savory flavor that is essential in stocks, stews, and roasts. Buying fresh thyme means dealing with delicate sprigs that turn brown quickly. An indoor thyme plant, however, provides a resilient, on-demand supply for all your cozy cooking needs.
Like its Mediterranean cousin rosemary, thyme thrives on neglect. It needs plenty of direct sunlight and well-draining soil. It’s highly drought-tolerant, so be careful not to overwater. A terracotta pot is an excellent choice as it helps wick away excess moisture.
Pro-Tip: To easily strip the tiny leaves from the woody stem, hold the sprig at the top and run your fingers down against the direction of leaf growth. The leaves will pop right off!
7. Oregano (The Pizza Herb)
If you love Mediterranean food, growing your own oregano is a must. The flavor of fresh oregano is far more complex and less pungent than its dried counterpart. It’s the soul of Greek salads, the heart of tomato sauces, and a perfect partner for grilled meats and vegetables.
Oregano is another sun-lover that’s easy to please. Give it a sunny spot and well-draining soil, and it will flourish. Regular trimming will encourage it to become bushier and more productive. The more you harvest, the more it grows!
Pro-Tip: For a more intense flavor, harvest your oregano just before the plant starts to flower. This is when the essential oils in the leaves are at their most concentrated.
8. Cilantro / Coriander (The Divisive Delight)
Whether you love it or hate it, there's no denying cilantro's importance in Mexican, South Asian, and Southeast Asian cooking. It’s also notorious for its short shelf life and its tendency to bolt (go to seed) quickly. Growing it indoors allows you to harvest it young and often, preventing it from flowering and extending its usability.
Cilantro prefers cooler temperatures and bright but indirect light; hot, direct sun can encourage it to bolt. Keep the soil moist and harvest the outer leaves frequently. Because it grows so quickly, it’s a good idea to plant new seeds every few weeks for a continuous supply.
Pro-Tip: Once your cilantro plant does eventually bolt, don't despair! Let the flowers mature and produce seeds. These seeds are coriander, a completely different spice with a warm, citrusy flavor. You get two spices from one plant!
9. Dill (The Pickling Pro)
With its feathery fronds and unique, slightly anise-like flavor, dill is essential for pickling, fish dishes, and creamy dips. It’s one of those herbs you often need in large quantities for a specific recipe, making a homegrown supply incredibly economical.
Dill has a long taproot, so it appreciates a deeper pot than most other herbs. It loves full sun and needs consistent moisture to thrive. It can get a bit leggy, so don't be afraid to harvest it regularly to keep it compact.
Pro-Tip: Both the leaves (dill weed) and the seeds are edible. The seeds have a stronger, more pungent flavor and are fantastic in bread, stews, and, of course, pickle brine.
10. Sage (The Thanksgiving Favorite)
Known for its starring role in Thanksgiving stuffing, sage has a soft, fuzzy texture and a powerful, earthy flavor that pairs beautifully with poultry, pork, and rich, buttery sauces. Just a few leaves can add immense depth, and having a plant means you’re always ready for a holiday feast.
Sage needs plenty of sun and excellent drainage. It's susceptible to root rot, so a terracotta pot and gritty soil are your best friends. It’s a perennial that can live for several years with proper care, becoming more flavorful with age.
Pro-Tip: Make a simple yet elegant brown butter sage sauce. Melt butter in a pan, add a few fresh sage leaves, and cook until the butter turns nutty and brown. Drizzle it over pasta, gnocchi, or roasted squash.
11. Green Onions / Scallions (The Easiest Ever)
This isn't just about saving money; it's practically about creating food from thin air. Green onions are used in almost every type of cuisine, and they are ridiculously easy to regrow from the scraps you'd normally throw away.
You don’t even need soil to start. Simply take the white root ends of the green onions you bought from the store, place them in a jar with an inch of water, and set them on a windowsill. They will start regrowing new green shoots within days. You can transfer them to a pot of soil for a more robust, long-term plant.
Pro-Tip: Keep two jars or pots going. While you're harvesting from one, the other can be regrowing, ensuring you have an endless, uninterrupted supply of fresh green onions.
12. Lemon Balm (The Calming Tea Herb)
A member of the mint family, lemon balm has a wonderful, bright citrus scent and flavor without the tartness of an actual lemon. It's fantastic for making calming herbal teas, flavoring water, or adding a fresh twist to fruit salads and fish dishes.
Like its minty cousin, lemon balm is incredibly easy to grow and can tolerate a range of light conditions, from full sun to partial shade. It’s a vigorous grower, so keep it in its own container and trim it back regularly to encourage fresh, tender growth.
Pro-Tip: Muddle a few fresh lemon balm leaves in the bottom of a glass before adding your favorite iced tea or lemonade. It releases the essential oils and infuses the entire drink with a lovely, fragrant lemon essence.
13. Marjoram (Oregano's Sweet Cousin)
Often confused with oregano, marjoram has a similar flavor profile but is sweeter, more delicate, and less aggressive. It has a floral, piney, and citrusy taste that is wonderful in poultry seasoning, sausages, and vegetable dishes where you want a subtle herbal note.
Grow marjoram just as you would oregano: lots of sun, well-draining soil, and infrequent watering. It’s a tender perennial, so an indoor pot is the perfect way to keep it safe from cold winters.
Pro-Tip: Add fresh marjoram at the very end of the cooking process. Its delicate flavor can be lost with prolonged heat, so stirring it in just before serving preserves its unique aromatic qualities.
14. Tarragon (The French Classic)
Tarragon is the signature flavor in French Béarnaise sauce and a key component of the fines herbes blend. It has a distinctive, sophisticated flavor with notes of anise or licorice. French tarragon is notoriously expensive and has a short shelf life, making it a prime candidate for your indoor garden.
Be sure to get a French Tarragon plant, as Russian tarragon has a much weaker flavor. It needs good sunlight and well-draining soil. Tarragon doesn't love extremely hot, direct sun, so a spot with bright morning sun and some afternoon shade is perfect.
Pro-Tip: Infuse vinegar with fresh tarragon sprigs to create a fantastic salad dressing base. Simply place a few clean sprigs into a bottle of white wine vinegar and let it sit for a couple of weeks.
15. Bay Laurel (The Long-Term Investment)
While most herbs on this list are fast-growing, a bay laurel tree is a long-term investment in flavor. Fresh bay leaves are more aromatic and less bitter than the brittle dried ones you buy in a jar. Having a small tree means you'll never have to buy them again.
Bay laurel grows slowly and is best purchased as a small plant. It can be grown in a pot for many years. It likes bright, indirect light and well-draining soil. Allow the top couple of inches of soil to dry out before watering again.
Pro-Tip: Add a fresh bay leaf to simmering rice or quinoa. It will infuse the grains with a subtle, savory aroma that enhances their natural flavor, a simple trick I learned from Goh Ling Yong that elevates even the simplest side dish.
Your Fresh Start Awaits
Stepping into a kitchen filled with the scent of living green things is a joy in itself. The ability to snip off exactly what you need, right when you need it, will not only make you a more spontaneous and creative cook but will also put a surprising amount of money back in your pocket.
Don’t be intimidated. You don't need to grow all 15 of these at once. Start small. Pick one or two that you use most often—perhaps basil for your pasta or mint for your tea—and give it a try. You'll be amazed at how simple and satisfying it is to bring a little bit of the garden indoors.
Which herb are you most excited to grow? Do you have any indoor gardening tips to share? Let us know in the comments below
About the Author
Goh Ling Yong is a content creator and digital strategist sharing insights across various topics. Connect and follow for more content:
Stay updated with the latest posts and insights by following on your favorite platform!