Indoor gardens

Anyone can, and should, plant a garden.

When it comes to interior environments the use of planters is the more suitable option in places near windows or in balconies.

You will have more success as soon as you can find a place for the plants with the perfect conditions, of both sunlight exposure and temperature, for their development.

Be aware of the plants reaction to the location and if necessary chage it until you find the adequate place.

It´s important to understand that all places have their unique qualities so your success will depend on a trial and error aproach.

Here are some aromatic plants that can be grown in pots, in interior environments, and some general information required to plant them.

Sunlight; Irrigation; Soil; Other information; Planting calendar; Edible uses.

Abundant sunlight exposure, but not directly.

Moderate.

Well drained and not compacted soil.

It grows well in places with mild climates. It should not be harvested in rain and cold seasons.

They can be planted in planters but a better way is to sow them in small containers and place them inside where the temperatures will be milder. As the plants get a considerable size they can be moved to the flowerbeds.

The grounded seeds are commonly used as a condiment but also hole in the preparation of several dishes. They can also be used to make tea which has some medicinal properties. It can also be used to flavour some liqueurs.

Requires abundant sunlight exposure.

Must be frequent and in small amounts.

Well drained.

Does not tolerate extreme temperature variations and temperatures below 12 °C.

You can plant the seeds in a vase with compost and place it somewhere warm with some sunlight exposure. If you have a plant you can cut some stems and put them in a glass jar half filled with water just so the bottom of the stems are submerged and wait for them to root and be ready to go in a vase. You can do this as soon as spring starts.

Fresh leaves can be used as a condiment in tomato salads, in pasta, chicken, soups and pesto. Dried leaves can be used to marinade meat and fish, and also in dressings and sauces.

Prefers abundant sunlight, but not directly.

Needs frequent irrigation.

Needs a moist soil, deep, well drained and rich in nutrients.

The sowing should be directly in the flowerbeds or in any kind of containers by the beginning of spring.

It´s most commonly used as an aromatic in several dishes.

Needs sunlight but requires some protection from the wind and cold temperatures.

Does not require much water.

Prefers soils rich in organic matter, moist and well drained.

Enjoys high temperatures.

It´s a very resistant plant so it can be planted at any time of the year but it grows faster in the period of time between May and July.

It´s used in various ways due to it´s hot flavour. So it´s part of condiments, sauces and it can be used directly in meat, fish and seafood dishes as well as in salads.

Needs full sun but it can adapt to partially shaded areas.

Must be frequent and in small amounts at a time.

Well drained.

It does well with temperatures between 5º and 25º Celsius.

The sowing should be done at the beginning of spring.

The leaves are used in salads and also to flavour soups and dressings. The flowers are used to garnish salads.

Needs full sun.

Must be frequent and in small amounts at a time whenever the soil surface is dry.

Well drained.

In indoor environments has limited growth.

Spread the seeds in a vase with good compost and cover them. It needs to be in a warm place with sunlight exposure. You can start doing it in spring.

Leaves, stems, roots and seeds can all be used in cooking. Leaves can be used to flavour poultry, meat, fish and seafood, added just before serving.

Needs full sunlight exposure but it can adapt to partially shaded areas.

Needs frequent watering and abundant.

Well drained.

Doesn´t like extreme temperatures, between 8º C and 22º C.

The sowing can start at the beginning of April preferably directly in flowerbeds or in any kind of container.

It is commonly used in salads and dressings but it´s also used to flavour meat and fish dishes.

Needs abundant sunlight exposure but not directly.

Does not need a lot of water but needs regular irrigation.

Needs a well-drained soil, develops better in alkaline soils (pH 7-8.2).

Start with a small grown plant in a vase (as seeds are more difficult to germinate). Get it in spring or keep it safe from cold temperatures and in a place with some sunlight exposure.

Flowers (fresh or dried) can be used to flavor sugar or milk in baked goods. Leaves, flowers and stems (both fresh and dried) can be used as a condiment in cooking of meat dishes, vegetables, soups and salads. Flowers can also be used to flavour olive oil and vinagers.

Grows either in shaded areas or in areas exposed to the sun.

It is not demanding in terms of water, is resistant to dryness.

Can be grown in any kind of soil.

You can plant the seeds in spring or autumn. They will germinate slowly and the plants should only be moved to the final location when they have at least 15 centimeters height.

Fresh leaves can be used to flavour soups, seafood and salads. Leaves can be also used in an infusion (hot or cold).

Needs sunlight exposure and warmth.

Should be frequent.

Needs a moist and fertile soil, develops better in soils with pH between 6 and 8.

You can plant the seeds or use root cuttings for propagation, better in late spring, when the danger of frost has passed.

It is mostly used to flavour a lot of dishes, from soups to desserts, giving them a lemony scent and taste. Fresh leaves can be used to flavour fruit purees. Dried leaves can be used in infusions (lemon grass tea).

Needs sunlight exposure but not directly.

The soil must be constantly moist however the excess water becomes harmful for the plant.

Prefers well drained soils.

Does not do well in excessively moist soils.

At the beginning of spring you should cut some branches of a grwon plant and place them in a container half full with water so they can grow roots and at that time they will be ready to be planted in pots.

The leaves are used both fresh and dried in the making of meat, fish and poultry dishes and also salads. The flowers are also used to flavour and garnish several dishes.

Needs sunlight exposure but not directly.

Should be regular.

Needs a light and well drained soil.

Spread the seeds in a vase with good compost and cover them. It needs to be in a warm place with sunlight exposure. You can start doing it in spring.

Fresh leaves (whole or chopped) can be used in fruit salads, fruit-based drinks and desserts. It can also enhance the taste of fish and poultry. Fresh or dried leaves can be used to make tea.

Needs at least 5 hours a day of full sun exposure.

Abundant and regular.

Prefers soft soils and rich in organic matter that can keep moist without flooding.

Prefers ventilated places

The sowing should be done at the beginning of spring or at the end of summer depending on the plant variety. It should be done every two weeks so you can achieve the longest production period as possible.

It´s most commonly used raw in salads but it´s also used in soups and as a garnish.

Needs abundant sunlight exposure.

Does not like excess water, so it should be watered only when the soil is dry.

Well drained.

Requires protection from frost and needs temperatures higher than 5 °C.

Spread the seeds in a vase with good compost and cover them. It needs to be in a warm place with sunlight exposure. If you have a plant you can use some cuttings and leave just the end leaves and put them in a glass jar, in a place with some sunlight exposure but not directly, half filled with water just so the bottom of the stems are submerged and wait for them to root and be ready to go in a vase. You can do this as soon as spring starts.

Dried leaves are commonly used in pizza and pasta, but they can be also used in soups, meat dishes, vegetables and sauces. Fresh leaves can be used for garnish.

Requires some sunlight exposure.

Must be frequent and in small amounts so the soil remains moist.

Well drained.

Endures temperature variations.

Spread the seeds in a vase with good compost and cover them. It needs to be in a warm place with sunlight exposure. You can start doing it in spring.

Leaves (either fresh or dried) can be used in almost any dish, particularly soups, meat, and salads. It can also be used in an infusion. Leaves and stems can also be used fresh to season dressings.

Likes areas with direct sunlight but it can adapt to shaded areas.

Does not need too much water, just enough so the soil won't stay dry.

Prefers rich and well drained soils.

Develop better with mild temperatures but they are cold resistant.

You can use seeds which will germinate ratter quickly and plant in the summer. Or start with a small grown plant in a vase and than separate some seedlings and plant somewhere else to increase your production. You can start doing it in spring.

Leaves can be used to flavour soups. Can also be used as a flavouring in salads, meats, deserts, and in hot and cold drinks (including tea).

Prefers abundant sunlight. Avoid shady places.

Needs small amounts of water. Avoid excess water.

Prefers sandy soils.

Wind protection ensures flowering.

Start with a small grown plant in a vase, or plant seeds or cuttings in spring about 6 to 10 weeks before the warm weather.

Young tops, leaves and flowers can be used in an infusion (rosemary tea). Leaves (both fresh and dried) can be used as a condiment in cooking of meat dishes, vegetables, soups and salads.

Prefers full sun exposure or parcially shaded.

Moderate. The excess water can be harmful for the plant.

Any kind of soil, preferably poor and well drained.

Prefers mild temperatures, in between 4º and 30º Celsius.

The sowing should be done at the beginning of the spring preferebly directly in flowerbeds or in any kind of container. You can also use cuttings from the plant as it easily roots when it touches the soil.

It´s commonly used in tea but it must be used with caution as it can be toxic depending on the amount.

Requires abundant sunlight.

Does not need a lot of water, should be watered only when the soil is well dry.

Well drained.

Resistant to cold temperatures and even frost. Can grow at temperatures between 3 °C and 23 °C.

You can plant the seeds but it's fairly easy and faster to use cuttings and plant them. It needs a good amount of sunlight exposure for a better development. You can start doing this in spring.

Leaves (dried, or fresh for a lighter note) are mostly used to flavour meat dishes, particularly pork and poultry. Leaves can also be used in vegetable soups and even beverages (including infusions).

Needs sunlight exposure.

Should be watered only when the soil is dry.

Prefers well drained soils but it adapts well to dry soils.

Can be grown in temperatures between 4 °C and 25 °C.

Spread the seeds in a vase with good compost and cover them. It needs to be in a warm place with sunlight exposure. If you have a plant you can use some cuttings and leave just the end leaves and put them in a glass jar, in a place with some sunlight exposure but not directly, half filled with water just so the bottom of the stems are submerged and wait for them to root and be ready to go in a vase. You can do this as soon as spring starts.

Leaves (fresh or dried) can be used in almost any dish, from salads to meat and fish. There is one rule for the use of herbs in cooking: "when in doubt use thyme".