The cultivation of aromatic plants indoors is becoming increasingly popular, as these species require very little care and provide numerous benefits. These range from their pleasant fragrances to their use as culinary ingredients or spices, and even their ability to deter certain insects. In this article, we will explore which aromatic plants can be cultivated at home, how to care for these aromatic plants, and introduce you to common aromatic plants such as mint, lavender, and basil. Discover these 11 indoor aromatic plants!
Basil
Basil is one of the most commonly used herbs in Italian cuisine for its fresh flavor and, above all, its intoxicating aroma. This plant will brighten up any corner of your home, requiring minimal care to stay fresh and continue to emit its delightful fragrance. Simply place it in a spot where it won’t receive direct sunlight and ensure it is in a well-drained pot.
Cilantro
Cilantro is another aromatic plant popular in cooking, especially in many cultures around the world. It requires comparatively easy care akin to its family members: cilantro prefers to grow in partially shaded spots with light soil free of drastic temperature changes. It’s a staple in Canarian cuisine, frequently utilized to create various sauces, including the famous mojo.
Tarragon
Tarragon, while used in cooking, is not as widely recognized as other aromatic plants. It serves mainly as a flavor enhancer in sauces, particularly salads. Caring for tarragon in a pot for use as one of the indoor aromatic plants is also quite simple. Ensure it is in a place with ample light, well-drained soil, and remember that it does not tolerate humidity well, so avoid overwatering and keep it safe from frost.
Dill
Alongside its culinary uses, particularly with fish dishes like salmon, dill is also well-known for its medicinal properties, making it a valuable addition to our meals. Like the other indoor aromatic plants, dill only requires moderate watering and a place where it can receive sunlight daily, albeit not directly.
Peppermint
Peppermint is among the most utilized aromatic plants in international cooking. Besides providing a wonderful aroma to dishes and beverages, it makes a very decorative indoor plant.
The plant just needs a sunny spot to thrive and ensure its leaves maintain that vibrant green hue.
Lavender
Lavender is one of the most popular indoor aromatic plants for decoration. Not only for its elegant flowers but also for its gentle aroma. Additionally, this plant has medicinal properties which are ideal for infusions that relax and help regulate sleep.
Bay Laurel
The bays leaves are used in cooking, both fresh and dried. However, if you decide to grow this plant in a pot, it will require some attention to prevent it from easily spoiling. Notably, this is one of the indoor aromatic plants that require minimal natural light for growth. Furthermore, it’s recommended not to overwater it, as it does not tolerate humidity well, so be sure to provide it with a pot that has good drainage.
Mint
Mint is often used in baking for its fresh aroma and flavor. Like peppermint, it requires regular watering, nutrient-rich soil, a well-drained pot, and a brightly lit area in your home.
Parsley
The parsley plant is a staple in Mediterranean cuisine, and it is very easy to grow in a pot, requiring only partial shade and regular watering to keep the soil slightly moist. It’s advisable to keep the parsley in pots indoors to avoid temperature fluctuations.
Rosemary
Though rosemary is typically an outdoor shrub, it can also thrive indoors. It only needs to be placed in an outdoor spot or near a window that you often open, where it can receive plenty of sunlight. Having rosemary at hand is not only essential for many stews but is also believed to bring good luck and fortune to the home.
Thyme
Lastly, let’s talk about thyme, another aromatic plant that can be grown indoors and has medicinal properties. It requires minimal care; simply ensure it does not retain moisture and that the container has good drainage.
How to Care for Indoor Aromatic Plants
Of course, all plants, aromatic or otherwise, can be grown outdoors if the climate is suitable. However, many can flourish indoors with careful attention to their needs. For instance, if you have a plant that requires high humidity, it cannot be placed in an area of the house with low humidity due to heating or air conditioning that dries the air.
Thus, caring for indoor aromatic plants is fairly straightforward, as most require minimal attention. Nevertheless, here are some general tips to help keep your pot-grown aromatic plants in optimal condition:
- First, always identify the individual needs of each species and group those that share similar conditions. Prioritize those with similar life cycles and separate perennials from biennials and annuals.
- Grouping by their watering needs will also simplify care; while they tend to be low-maintenance in this regard, not all require the same amount of water. It’s generally better to be too dry than too moist, as these little plants do not tolerate excess moisture well.
- Take advantage of their easy reproduction and propagate cuttings frequently, which will allow you to increase the quantity of these useful and pleasant plants, whether to keep for yourself or to gift to friends.
- If you encounter issues and wonder why your indoor aromatic plants are dying, revisit their individual requirements for light, temperature, and water. As long as these three aspects are managed correctly and you use a substrate that allows for good drainage—light and aerated—there should be no problems.
