A Windowsill Herb Garden That Lasts Longer Than a Month

By Priya Hollis · Published Sep 3, 2026 · 5 min read

In this guide

Split them up
Give them maximum light
Harvest the right way
Know which herbs suit indoors
Water and feed lightly

Potted herbs from the supermarket are often dozens of seedlings crammed into a tiny pot, grown fast under ideal greenhouse conditions. Moved to a kitchen windowsill, they usually collapse within weeks.

With a little work on day one, the same plants can keep producing for much longer.

Split them up

Gently tip out a supermarket basil or parsley pot and divide the root ball into three or four clumps. Pot each into its own container of fresh compost. With more room and less competition, each clump grows stronger.

Give them maximum light

Most culinary herbs want as much light as they can get. A south- or west-facing windowsill is best. In winter, growth slows; a small grow light helps a lot.

Harvest the right way

Pinch or cut stems just above a pair of leaves rather than picking individual leaves. This encourages the plant to branch and become bushier. Never take more than about a third of the plant at once, and remove flower buds from basil to keep leaves coming.

Know which herbs suit indoors

Easy: basil, parsley, chives, mint, coriander (in cool conditions)
Harder indoors: rosemary, thyme, and sage, which prefer lots of sun and dry roots
Coriander bolts quickly — sow small batches every few weeks

Water and feed lightly

Water when the top of the compost feels dry and do not let pots sit in water. A diluted liquid feed every few weeks in spring and summer keeps growth lush.

This is general gardening information. Results depend on your climate, soil, and conditions. Follow label directions for any fertiliser or treatment, and check whether plants are toxic to pets or children before bringing them home.

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