8 Windowsill Herbs That Will Bring Your Kitchen To Life
- Pepperpot Nursery
- Feb 16
- 7 min read
Grow fresh, fragrant herbs indoors this winter for tastier meals
Windowsill herbs have become one of the easiest and most rewarding ways to grow herbs at home in the UK. They do not require a garden, specialist tools, or years of experience. All they ask for is a little light, a bit of care, and a place near a window. In return, they offer fresh flavour, better cooking, and the simple pleasure of growing something yourself.
February in the UK is a bit of a transition month; the days are getting noticeably longer, yet the frost still clings to the garden gate most mornings. While it’s far too early to be planting in the cold, damp soil outside, it is the absolute prime time to start your journey with windowsill herbs. They thrive indoors, cope well with winter conditions, and bring life into kitchens and living spaces at a time of year when everything outside looks grey and bare.
This guide is designed to explain how to grow windowsill herbs in the UK during colder months, which herbs work best, how to care for them properly, and how to avoid the common mistakes that stop people from succeeding. If you are new to growing or simply want better results, this is a practical place to start.
Growing Windowsill Herbs in Winter. Article outline:
1. Why February is the Perfect Time for Windowsill Herbs.
February is the perfect time for windowsill herbs because it sits right at the meeting point between winter and the growing season ahead. Windowsills provide a stable, frost-free environment that herbs love, while daylight hours are quietly increasing each week. This balance allows herbs to establish strong roots without being rushed into soft, weak growth.
Starting in February means your herbs adapt early to indoor conditions, making them sturdier and more reliable as spring approaches. Instead of waiting for outdoor weather to improve, growing herbs on a windowsill now brings fresh greenery into the home at a time when gardens are still resting, setting you up for healthier plants and better harvests in the months to come.
2. The Best Herbs for Windowsill Growing.
Choosing the right herbs for windowsill winter conditions makes a huge difference. Some herbs cope far better indoors than others, especially during colder months.
Parsley is one of the most dependable windowsill herbs you can grow. It tolerates cooler temperatures, grows steadily indoors, and works beautifully in everyday cooking.
Flat-leaf parsley is especially popular for British kitchens. It adds freshness to soups, sauces, and roasted vegetables, and it continues producing leaves when harvested regularly.
Parsley prefers bright light but does not need full sun all day. Keep the compost lightly moist and avoid letting it dry out completely. With gentle care, parsley remains productive for months.
Coriander is often seen as tricky, but it performs well as a windowsill herb when grown correctly. Starting with a healthy plant rather than seeds removes most of the difficulty.
Indoors, coriander prefers bright light and consistent watering. It enjoys cooler conditions compared to, for example basil, making it well suited to February growing. Harvest coriander little and often to keep it leafy. Regular cutting delays flowering and encourages fresh growth.
Oregano is one of the easiest herbs for windowsill growing. It is hardy, unfussy, and well adapted to indoor environments. This herb prefers good drainage and slightly drier conditions. Overwatering is the most common problem with oregano, so allow the compost surface to dry between watering. Oregano grows steadily rather than quickly, which suits February conditions perfectly. Its flavour intensifies as the plant matures, making it a valuable addition to the kitchen.
Mint is famous for its vigour, which is why it should always be grown in pots. As a windowsill herb, mint is fresh, productive, and easy to maintain.
It enjoys bright light and regular watering, though it does not like sitting in soggy compost. Trim mint frequently to keep it bushy and prevent it becoming leggy.
From teas and desserts to savoury dishes, mint earns its place on the windowsill very quickly.
Thyme is another strong candidate for herbs for windowsill growing. It prefers bright light and free-draining compost, much like oregano, and it thrives when left slightly on the dry side. Thyme grows slowly during winter, but that steady pace produces compact plants with excellent flavour. Once established, it needs very little attention and fits neatly into a sunny kitchen window.
Rosemary can also be grown on a windowsill, provided it gets plenty of light. It prefers a cooler position away from radiators and benefits from good airflow. Please note that rosemary does not enjoy overwatering, so letting the compost dry slightly between watering is important. Its woody structure makes it slower-growing in February, but it rewards patience with aromatic leaves that are perfect for roasting and baking.
Sage is often overlooked for indoor growing. If you use sage often for your cooking, you will be happy to hear that it adapts surprisingly well to windowsill conditions. It prefers bright light and modest watering, and it handles cooler temperatures better than many soft herbs. Sage grows steadily rather than quickly, which suits February well, and its soft, aromatic leaves bring depth to winter cooking.
Lemon balm is another gentle, fresh option for windowsill herbs. Closely related to mint, it grows happily indoors and enjoys regular trimming. Lemon balm prefers light but not intense heat, making it well suited to a kitchen windowsill during late winter.
Its subtle citrus scent makes it particularly appealing for teas and lighter dishes.
3. Dealing with Central Heating.
While the light is improving in February, we still have our radiators cranked up. This is the silent killer of many indoor plants. Most herbs for windowsill growth love the warmth, but they loathe the dry air that comes with central heating. If your herb pots are sitting directly above a radiator, the soil will dry out at an alarming rate. You might find yourself watering them in the morning, only for the soil to be bone-dry by tea time.
To combat this, try placing your pots on a tray filled with pebbles and a little bit of water. As the water evaporates, it creates a humid microclimate around the leaves, mimicking the natural dew they’d find outside. Just make sure the bottom of the pot isn't sitting in the water, as this leads to root rot.
4. Watering and Feeding Windowsill Herbs.
One of the most frequent questions we get asked is, "How often should I water my windowsill herbs?" The honest answer is that there is no set schedule. It depends on the temperature of your house, the size of the pot, and the type of herb. The best tool you have is your index finger.
Push it about an inch into the soil. If it feels damp, leave it alone. If it feels dry and dusty, give it a drink. Most people tend to over-water their herbs for windowsill displays, essentially drowning the roots. Remember, it is much easier to revive a slightly wilted plant than it is to save one whose roots have turned to mush from too much love.
Conclusion
Windowsill herbs are one of the simplest ways to bring fresh flavour, greenery, and satisfaction into your home. They fit perfectly into British homes and British winters, especially in February.
Herbs grown on the windowsill during late winter build strong roots before spring arrives. As daylight increases, growth naturally speeds up. Starting now means stronger plants, better results, and months of fresh herbs ahead.
By moving away from disposable supermarket pots and investing in high-quality, nursery-grown herb pots, you ensure a much longer life for your plants and a far superior flavour for your dishes.
Start Growing Your Own Windowsill Herbs Today
If you are ready to grow your own windowsill herbs, we have carefully grown herb plants that are ideal for indoor growing in the UK.
Choose from parsley, coriander, oregano, mint, and more, perfect herbs for windowsill gardens. Visit our online store today and start building your windowsill herb garden.
FAQs About Windowsill Herbs
What are the best windowsill herbs to grow in the UK?
The best windowsill herbs for UK homes include parsley, coriander, oregano, mint, chives, thyme, rosemary, and sage. These herbs cope well with indoor conditions and lower winter light, making them ideal herbs for windowsill growing throughout the year.
Can you grow windowsill herbs all year round in the UK?
Yes, windowsill herbs can be grown all year round in the UK. During winter and early spring, they grow more slowly, but with enough light and careful watering, they remain healthy and productive indoors.
Do windowsill herbs need direct sunlight?
Most windowsill herbs prefer bright light rather than constant direct sunlight. A south-, east-, or west-facing windowsill usually provides enough light. Too much intense sun combined with indoor heating can dry plants out quickly.
How often should I water windowsill herbs?
Windowsill herbs should be watered when the top of the compost feels dry. In February, this is often less frequent than in summer. Overwatering is one of the most common causes of problems with indoor herbs.
Are herbs for windowsill growing better as plants or seeds?
For winter and early spring, herbs for windowsill growing are usually more successful as established plants rather than seeds. Plants adapt more easily to indoor conditions and provide quicker results with less effort.
Can windowsill herbs be moved outside later in the year?
Yes, many windowsill herbs can be moved outdoors in spring or early summer. They should be hardened off gradually by introducing them to outdoor conditions over several days to avoid shock.
