GardenKitchen herbs to grow at home
Ten herbs that earn their place in an Indian kitchen and grow well in pots: how to start each one, when, and how to keep it going.
| Herb | Hindi | How and when to start | Care |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tulsi (holy basil) | तुलसी | Sow seed or plant a seedling in spring, or in the monsoon. Seed sprouts in about one to two weeks in warm weather. | Full sun and regular water. Pinch off the flower spikes to keep the plant leafy. In north India, move the pot under shelter on frosty nights. |
| Mint (pudina) | पुदीना | Root market stems in water and plant them in spring or the monsoon. | Its own wide pot, moist soil, half shade is fine. Cut often. |
| Coriander (dhania) | धनिया | Sow split seed directly from autumn to spring in the plains, and in the cooler, wetter months in the south. | Sow a new pot every three weeks. In summer, grow it in light shade. |
| Curry leaf (kadi patta) | कड़ी पत्ता | Plant a nursery sapling in the monsoon or in spring. | Full sun and a large pot as it grows. Slow in the first year. Protect young plants from frost. Pick whole sprigs, not single leaves. |
| Lemongrass | लेमन ग्रास | Plant rooted slips in spring or in the monsoon. | Full sun and plenty of water in summer. Cut the leaves 10 cm above the base and they grow back. Divide the clump every year or two. |
| Sweet basil | मरुआ, बेसिल | Sow in spring after the cold has passed, and again in the monsoon. | Pinch the tips often and remove flower buds for a longer supply of leaves. |
| Indian borage (ajwain patta) | अजवाइन पत्ता | Push a cutting into moist soil in any warm month. | Thick, scented leaves. Needs little water. Keep it out of frost and heavy rain. |
| Fenugreek (methi) | मेथी | Scatter soaked seed in the cool months. | Ready to cut in three to four weeks. Sow again for a continuous supply. |
| Aloe vera | घृतकुमारी | Separate the small plants at the base of a mature one and pot them in any warm month. | Sandy soil, bright light and very little water. Rots if overwatered. |
| Garlic greens | हरा लहसुन | Push cloves into a pot in autumn, tips just covered. | Cut the green leaves when they are 20 cm tall. They grow back two or three times. |
A herb corner in five pots
If you have room for only five pots, grow tulsi, mint, coriander, curry leaf and lemongrass. Between them they cover tea, chutney, tempering and garnish for most of the year. Put the tulsi, curry leaf and lemongrass where the sun is strongest, and the mint and coriander where they get shade in the afternoon.
Rules that suit every herb
- Cut to grow: herbs become bushy when the tips are picked often. A plant that is never cut turns tall and thin and runs to flower.
- Drainage first: every pot needs a hole, and no pot should stand in a saucer of water.
- Feed lightly: a handful of compost every month is enough. Rich feeding gives large leaves with less scent.
- Fresh soil yearly: repot or top up with fresh mix each spring.
Coriander, mint and methi also have full growing pages: coriander, mint, fenugreek.
Questions people ask
Which herbs grow in shade?
Mint, coriander and methi manage with three to four hours of sun. Tulsi, curry leaf and lemongrass need full sun.
Why does my tulsi die in winter?
Tulsi is a warm-climate plant and frost kills it. In north India, move the pot to a sheltered spot on cold nights and water less. Many families simply raise a new plant each spring.
How do I grow mint from market stems?
Strip the lower leaves from a few fresh stems, stand them in a glass of water, and plant them in a pot when white roots appear, usually within a week.
More garden help
- Gardening seasons in IndiaKharif, rabi and zaid explained for the home gardener.
- Balcony and terrace gardenPots, potting mix, sun and water for growing in containers.
- How to sow seedsDepth, trays, transplanting and why seeds fail.
- Compost at homeTurn kitchen waste into plant food in a bucket or a pot.
- Pests without poisonSimple, safe ways to deal with the common garden pests.
- Flower calendarWhen to sow 20 garden flowers in each region.