Wave goodbye to limp grocery store herbs and say hello to a symphony of fresh, homegrown flavor! Ditch the plastic and reclaim your culinary independence with ten incredible herbs you can easily start from seed, right on your windowsill. No fancy equipment, no green thumb magic required – just a sprinkle of curiosity and a dash of sunshine.
Top 10 Herbs You Can Start From Seed
Basil
Imagine the intoxicating aroma of fresh basil gracing your caprese salad, the vibrant pesto swirling onto your pasta, all born from seeds cradled in your own hands. Basil, in its many delicious varieties, thrives in sunny windowsills and begs to be snipped for daily culinary adventures.
Here’s how to start basil from seed:
 Indoors:
- Fill a container with seed-starting mix.
- Sprinkle the seeds on top of the soil.
- Cover the seeds with a thin layer of soil.
- Water the soil.
- Place the container in a warm, sunny location.
- Wait for the seeds to germinate.
Outdoors:
- Wait until after the last frost.
- Prepare the soil by adding compost or fertilizer.
- Sprinkle the seeds on top of the soil.
- Cover the seeds with a thin layer of soil.
- Water the soil.
- Wait for the seeds to germinate.
2. Cilantro
Craving a burst of vibrant, citrusy zing? Cilantro, the chameleon of herbs, is your answer. Transform simple salsas and guacamoles into flavor feasts, or sprinkle its delicate foliage over fragrant curries. Cilantro thrives in cooler temperatures and loves to be sown directly in pots, rewarding you with a quick and abundant harvest.
Here’s how to start cilantro from seed:
- Fill a container with seed-starting mix.
- Sprinkle the seeds on top of the soil.
- Cover the seeds with a thin layer of soil.
- Water the soil.
- Place the container in a cool, shady location.
- Wait for the seeds to germinate.
3. Oregano
Picture sun-drenched Italian pizzas bubbling with melty cheese and fragrant oregano stealing the show. This Mediterranean darling thrives in warm, sunny spots and lends its earthy aroma to pasta sauces, roasted vegetables, and even hearty stews. Oregano is a prolific self-seeder, meaning future harvests practically sprout on their own, keeping your kitchen garden forever stocked.
Here’s how to start oregano from seed:
- Fill a container with seed-starting mix.
- Sprinkle the seeds on top of the soil.
- Cover the seeds with a thin layer of soil.
- Water the soil.
- Place the container in a warm, sunny location.
- Wait for the seeds to germinate.
4. Dill
The delicate fronds of dill dance with a unique, peppery flavor, ready to elevate your next potato salad, creamy yogurt dip, or even pickled cucumbers. This cool-weather lover thrives in windowsills kissed by morning sunshine and rewards your patience with feathery fronds packed with flavor.
Here’s how to start dill from seed:
- Fill a container with seed-starting mix.
- Sprinkle the seeds on top of the soil.
- Cover the seeds with a thin layer of soil.
- Water the soil.
- Place the container in a warm, sunny location.
- Wait for the seeds to germinate.
5. Thyme
Thyme, the tiny titan of herbs, packs a surprisingly potent punch. From delicate lemon thyme to earthy English thyme, each variety adds a touch of herbal magic to roasted chicken, soups, marinades, and even homemade focaccia. Thyme thrives in well-draining soil and sunny spots, readily forming compact bushes bursting with flavor.
Here’s how to start thyme from seed:
- Fill a container with seed-starting mix.
- Sprinkle the seeds on top of the soil.
- Cover the seeds with a thin layer of soil.
- Water the soil.
- Place the container in a warm, sunny location.
- Wait for the seeds to germinate.
6. Parsley
dd a vibrant pop of color and a refreshingly grassy note to your meals with parsley. This versatile herb thrives in both sun and partial shade, readily offering its finely chopped leaves for garnishes, salads, and even homemade pesto. Parsley is a slow starter, but its vibrant presence and long harvest window make it well worth the wait.
Here’s how to start parsley from seed:
- Fill a container with seed-starting mix.
- Sprinkle the seeds on top of the soil.
- Cover the seeds with a thin layer of soil.
- Water the soil.
- Place the container in a warm, sunny location.
- Wait for the seeds to germinate.
7. Mint
Imagine the invigorating scent of fresh mint swirling through your kitchen, courtesy of your own windowsill garden. From the bright zing of spearmint to the deeper, cooler notes of peppermint, each variety infuses your drinks, desserts, and even savory dishes with a unique herbal whisper. Mint is a prolific grower, so start with a small pot and prepare to witness a leafy explosion of flavor.
Here’s how to start mint from seed:
- Fill a container with seed-starting mix.
- Sprinkle the seeds on top of the soil.
- Cover the seeds with a thin layer of soil.
- Water the soil.
- Place the container in a cool, shady location.
- Wait for the seeds to germinate.
8. Chives
Forget the anemic supermarket chives! Grow your own, bursting with garlicky goodness, ready to sprinkle over scrambled eggs, potato salad, or even creamy dips. Chives thrive in well-draining soil and moderate sunlight, readily forming clumps of grass-like blades for endless snipping sessions.
Here’s how to start chives from seed:
- Fill a container with seed-starting mix.
- Sprinkle the seeds on top of the soil.
- Cover the seeds with a thin layer of soil.
- Water the soil.
- Place the container in a warm, sunny location.
- Wait for the seeds to germinate.
9. Sage
This silvery-green beauty lends a touch of earthy elegance to roasted meats, creamy risottos, and even homemade herbal teas. Sage prefers warmer temperatures and plenty of sunshine, rewarding your care with fragrant leaves perfect for adding a touch of culinary sophistication to your dishes.
10. Tarragon
Craving the unique anise-licorice notes of tarragon? Look no further than your windowsill! This delicate herb enjoys cool temperatures and partial shade, readily offering its slender leaves for elevating sauces, marinades, and even egg salad. Tarragon is a slow grower, but its unique flavor profile makes it a valuable addition to any home herb garden.