Here’s how to grow a mini indoor herb garden that fits in small spaces like a dorm room desk or kitchen window sill, even in low light!
Small quarters don’t have to keep you from flexing your green thumb or enjoying homegrown cooking with fresh herbs. Whether you’re living in an apartment, on campus, or have a tiny backyard, you can still have a thriving herb garden year-round.
Below are the 5 best low-maintenance herbs that can survive in low or indirect light, and only need a beginner’s touch. You’ll also find tips and tricks to ensure your indoor garden is a success!
RELATED: Indoor Plants That Are Easy To Keep Alive
How to Grow a Mini Indoor Herb Garden
If you’re a beginner or have low light for your herbs, I recommend starting with these herbs below.
The Best Herbs for Low and Indirect Light
1. Mint
- Qualities: Grows quickly, fragrant, and great for teas, desserts, mojitos, drink garnish, and savory dishes.
- Care Tips: Keep soil consistently moist, water when the top feels dry, and place in indirect light. Mint thrives in cooler spots away from direct sun.
2. Parsley
- Qualities: Fresh and versatile, perfect for soups, salads, and garnishes. Just sprinkle parsley leaves on top of every dish for a pop of color and flavor.
- Care Tips: Needs evenly moist soil and indirect light. Rotate the pot occasionally for balanced growth.
3. Chives
- Qualities: Mild onion flavor, adds freshness to dips, eggs, and potatoes.
- Care Tips: Grows well in low light but benefits from occasional bright light. Keep soil moist and trim often to encourage new shoots.
4. Cilantro (Coriander)
- Qualities: Bright, citrusy flavor, great for Mexican and Asian cuisine. Use the leaves directly on top of dishes as a garnish.
- Care Tips: Prefers cooler temperatures and indirect light. Water regularly, but avoid soggy soil. Best grown in batches (plant new seeds every few weeks) since it can bolt quickly.
5. Lemon Balm
- Qualities: Light lemon scent, calming, and great for teas or aromatherapy. Pour boiling water over lemon balm leaves to brew a calming-scented tea. You can also pluck the leaves, let them dry, and use the dried leaves as tea.
- Care Tips: Thrives in partial shade indoors, keep soil moist but not waterlogged. Trim often to prevent legginess.
RELATED: More Indoor Herb Garden Ideas
Tips for Growing Herbs on a Desk
Here are some simple care tips to ensure your desk garden thrives:
1. Choose small pots or mason jars – Pick containers no larger than 4–6 inches wide so they fit neatly on your desk. You can make your own planters. There are really cute herb pot sets you can buy, too. Make sure there’s drainage (holes at the bottom), otherwise add pebbles before adding soil if using a mason jar or container without drainage holes.
2. Use Potting Mix, not garden soil – A light, indoor potting mix drains better and prevents pests in an indoor setting. It also has the nutrients that your herbs need to thrive.
3. Start the garden from seed, or buy plants. To start the herbs from seed, place 1-2 seeds on top of a container filled with potting mix, cover with about ½ inch more mix, and water regularly, keeping the seed wet until it germinates (aka green leaves pop up!). Another option is to transplant plants you buy from a garden center.
3. Consider your lighting – Place near a window with indirect light. If natural light is scarce, use a clip-on LED grow light that can attach to your desk or shelf (I have these plant lights).
4. Water wisely – Herbs like mint and cilantro prefer moist soil — water when the top feels dry. Parsley and chives can handle slight dryness between waterings. Lemon balm likes even moisture but not soggy soil. Set a reminder for when to water your plants.
See more tips for growing herbs here.
5. Pinch & trim regularly – Pinching off new leaves encourages fuller, bushier growth and keeps plants compact for small spaces. Pinch at the stems right above a leaf node (that’s the spot where leaves are attached to the stem). This will encourage new growth. Use the trimmings right away in food or tea.
6. Mind the temperature – Keep them away from drafty windows, heaters, or vents. Herbs do best around 65–75°F. If you have a colder or draftier kitchen, consider one of these indoor plants for low temperatures instead.
7. Consider the aesthetics – Place herbs on a tray or saucer to catch excess water — protect your desk from damage. Group pots together to create a mini “herb garden corner” for both looks and convenience.
SAVE this on Pinterest for later!
