10 Fantastic Smelling Aromatic Herbs To Grow Indoors
Herbs are a great addition to a kitchen and very economical to grow at home. They will not only make your food and drinks more flavorful but also your house smell good. If you are looking for the best smelling herbs to grow indoors that require low maintenance yet provide a fantastic aroma, consider these options!
Rosemary
Who doesn’t love rosemary? This aromatic woody good-smelling herb can be used fresh or dried making your chicken and lamb dishes a lot more delicious.
It is one of the most low-maintenance herbs to grow indoors that requires technically just sunlight, a little water, and good air circulation to thrive. It will give your kitchen a nice fragrance and when added to dishes, it may help alleviate muscle pain and boost the immune system since it is a good source of calcium, iron, and vitamin B. If you are looking for the best smelling herbs to grow indoors, make sure to add rosemary to your list!
Sage
Sage is one of the most recognizable fragrant herbs. Many people immediately think about the holidays when smelling the earthy, minty scent of it. Thanksgiving turkeys, pans of dressing, and other dishes often include this aromatic herb.
- easy to grow aromatic herb that is a key ingredient in poultry seasoning and turkey stuffing
- can be grown inside your kitchen and outdoors
- heirloom, open-pollinated and non-GMO, grown in the USA seeds
Growing sage in your house is not that difficult; place it in a clay pot near a sunny window. Make sure that your pots have adequate drainage as sage doesn’t need a lot of watering, it is a drought-tolerant herb. Wait until the soil is dry before you give it a watering.
Thyme
One of the best herbs to scent home areas like living rooms and dining rooms is thyme. Thyme has a subtle herbaceous aroma that gently wafts through these areas without making them smell like food. It provides a freshening scent that comes from the presence of thymol, an antifungal oil, therefore it even can be used for a homemade disinfectant spray.
Thyme does not require too much special care or attention; it thrives indoors when placed in a sunny location or under bright grow light. Thyme is not only a beautiful herb to look at and smell but can be used in various ways by adding to soups, sauces, rice or potato dishes, or even to bread.
Basil
Growing basil at home is a simple and natural way to make your kitchen smell amazing, even if you have been cooking stinky foods like fish and curry. It has a summery and fresh smell that is instantly recognizable.
You can easily start your own herbs garden with a packet of basil seeds . Plant them in rich soil and place the pots in a sunny window or use a miniature LED or hydroponic herb growing system. Use the leaves before the stems turn woody – use them to make pesto, add to salads, pizza, or eat fresh with tomatoes and mozzarella.
Lavender
If you ask people what their favorite aromatic herbs are, many people will name lavender first which is commonly used in aromatherapy. A lavender plant is beautiful to look at, provides your home a light and fresh scent and it can also be grown in the kitchen near a well-lit window.
Many people enjoy its wonderful aroma that has a calming effect, so it promotes relaxation and sleep when it is used in lotions, body washes, perfumes, and colognes and air freshener products, especially in scented candles. Lavender is also popularly used for baked goods and beverages. When you have dried lavender at home, make sure to try this lavender lemonade!
Mint
If you are looking for easy herbs to grow in pots indoors, you may want to try chocolate or orange mint. Mint is a vigorous and hearty herb that is able to stand up to tough conditions outdoors, so it is no surprise that mint does well in the kitchen too.
- super easy grow kit - can be grown indoors so it is available year-round
- young leaves can be continuously harvested from spring through fall
- gluten-free and suitable for vegan, vegetarian, and paleo diets
The aroma of mint is energizing and refreshing. If you do not brew coffee in the mornings, enjoy waking up and walking into the kitchen to the bright scent of mint each day instead. Fresh mint has many uses; it’s ideal for adding into smoothies and juices, and don’t forget Mojitos!
Chives
Chives may taste like onions, but they do not have a strong aroma when grown indoors. Instead, they are likely to give your home more of a bright, strong, herbal aroma. If you still notice a little bit of an onion scent while growing chives in the kitchen, you may want to consider growing some mint or rosemary at the same time as well.
Fresh chives a mild flavor that adds freshness to dips, soups, omelets, and seafood. If you need ideas on how to use this herb, here are some recipes with chives.
Parsley
Parsley is a commonly used garnish on restaurant plates but it is also an excellent plant to grow indoors. It is delicious and loaded with vitamins including Vitamin C, K, and A. It works in a variety of dishes but is a key ingredient in Mediterranean recipes.
There are multiple types of parsley that you can grow in your house including flat-leaf parsley and Italian parsley. Grow them in deep pots in rich soil, place them in a sunny place!
Cilantro
Cilantro makes an excellent garnish for all kinds of South American and Latin American-inspired dishes. It will give your home a strong, savory, and fresh aroma that awakens and invigorates.
- pesticide-free & non-GMO seeds in moisture-proof packets with a resealable zipper that keeps the seeds viable for up to 5 years
- plant them in a self-watering planter for efficiency or in an indoor garden
- perfect for Mexican, Caribbean and Asian cuisines
It is a fast-growing and abundant plant that recovers well from difficult conditions. Even if your cilantro plant starts to wilt a little indoors, it can be easily revived with some proper care; place this aromatic herb in a deep pot, give it morning sun and keep its soil moist. In dishes, use it sparingly, otherwise, it might be overpowering.
Oregano
Oregano makes a tasty garnish for dishes like pizza and pasta. It can also be used to season chicken, pork, rice, beans, and other savory foods, can be eaten fresh, and can also be dried for later use. Note that fresh oregano is milder than dried so add it to your dishes just at the end of the cooking time, so it won’t lose its flavor.
- strongly aromatic and flavorful kitchen garden herb
- major ingredient in Greek, Italian and Spanish cuisines
- plant during spring or fall in full sun to partial shade
Growing oregano in the kitchen at home is not as difficult as you might think; just make sure it gets adequate light exposure when grown indoors and don’t let the soil get dry. Its aromatic, minty aroma will help to combat odors in your kitchen.
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Ellie
Ellie Rose is a florist and home fragrance expert. She has a passionate curiosity for learning about aromas and eager to help others on how to create a pleasant ambience in their home by using the power of scents.
