Starting a Herb Pot Collection on a Windowsill

By Baking Soda Bread on a Weekday Morning
Comments 35
8 Sep 2026

Starting a Herb Pot Collection on a Windowsill

Why Grow Herbs on a Windowsill?

There is something deeply satisfying about snipping a few fresh basil leaves for a pasta sauce or a sprig of mint for a cup of tea, all without leaving the kitchen. For those of us without a garden or an allotment, a bright windowsill offers a perfect little growing space. In Britain, where the weather can be unpredictable, a sunny indoor spot gives tender herbs like basil the warmth they crave. A few pots, some good compost, and a bit of daily attention will reward you with a steady supply of flavour for months.

Choosing the Right Herbs for a Bright Sill

Not all herbs thrive indoors, but three stand out as reliable and generous: basil, parsley, and mint. They are the classic trio for a British kitchen windowsill.

Basil is a tender annual that loves heat and light. Sweet basil is the traditional choice, though Greek or lemon basil are also good. It grows quickly and will keep producing if you harvest regularly.
Parsley is a hardy biennial, usually grown as an annual in pots. Flat-leaf has a stronger flavour than curly; both do well on a windowsill. It has a long taproot, so choose a deeper pot.
Mint is vigorous and spreads by runners. Always give it its own pot. Moroccan mint is excellent for tea; common spearmint is a reliable all-rounder. It prefers a cooler spot than basil, so morning sun and afternoon shade is ideal.

Pots, Compost and Planting Up

Start with clean pots with drainage holes. Terracotta is traditional, but plastic is lighter and cheaper. A diameter of 15–20 cm is about right for a single herb plant; mint may need a slightly larger pot.

Use a good-quality multi-purpose compost, or a loam-based mix for parsley, which likes a firmer footing. Fill the pot to within 2 cm of the rim, firm gently, and water before planting. Sowing seeds is possible, but buying small plants is quicker. Basil and parsley can be sown indoors from early spring, but a young plant will crop within weeks.

Place pots on saucers to protect the windowsill. Turn each pot a quarter turn every few days so all sides get equal light and plants grow straight.

Watering Wisely and Feeding Lightly

Water little and often. Windowsill pots dry out faster than garden soil, especially in summer or near a radiator. Check daily by pushing your finger in up to the first knuckle. If dry, water gently until it runs out of the drainage holes, then empty the saucer after half an hour. Never let pots stand in water, as this rots the roots.

Overwatering is the most common mistake. Basil hates soggy compost. Yellow, dropping leaves mean you are being too generous. In winter, water much less – only when the top centimetre is dry.

Feed every two weeks from spring to late summer with a diluted liquid fertiliser. A general-purpose organic feed works well. Do not overfeed, as this encourages weak growth with less flavour.

Pinching, Pruning and Harvesting

To keep herbs bushy and productive, pinch out the growing tips. This is the single most important job. When a stem has three or four sets of leaves, nip off the top pair with your thumb and forefinger. This encourages branching rather than tall, spindly growth.

Basil: Pinch above a leaf node every few weeks. Never strip more than a third of the leaves. Regular harvesting delays flowering. Remove flower buds immediately – once basil flowers, leaves turn bitter.
Parsley: Harvest outer stems first, cutting at the base. This lets the centre produce new growth. Do not cut the crown.
Mint: Trim stems regularly, cutting just above a pair of leaves. Cut back hard if leggy; it bounces back quickly.

Use herbs often. A harvested plant grows more. Add basil to salads, parsley to soups, and mint to peas or new potatoes.

Keeping Herbs Happy Through the Seasons

A south-facing windowsill is ideal for basil; parsley and mint tolerate east or west. In darker months, growth slows and plants may become leggy. Move pots to the brightest spot and reduce watering. Basil often dies back in winter; either start again in spring or take cuttings in late summer.

Watch for greenfly and whitefly. A strong spray of water will dislodge them, or pick them off by hand. Avoid chemical sprays if you plan to eat the leaves. Keep pots away from draughts and open windows in winter.

With daily attention, your windowsill herbs will reward you with fresh leaves for most of the year. No garden needed – just a pot, compost, and the willingness to pinch out tips.

Kitchen Garden

Making Seville Orange Marmalade in Winter

Clay soil can be improved with compost, leaf mould and grit. Work it in autumn and avoid digging when wet to prevent damage.

Previous Post At vero eos et accusamus et iusto odio dignissimos ducimus qui blanditiis praesentium.

Next Post Dignissimos ducimus qui blanditiis praesentiu deleniti atque corrupti quos dolores

5 Comments

Robert Sonny says Jul 21, 2024 at 10:00am

I must explain to you how all this mistaken idea of denouncing pleasure and praising pain was born and I will give you a complete account of the system
Reply
- John Abraham says Jul 21, 2024 at 10:00am
  
  I must explain to you how all this mistaken idea of denouncing pleasure and praising pain was born and I will give you a complete account of the system
  Reply
  - Robert Sonnysays Jul 21, 2024 at 10:00am
    
    I must explain to you how all this mistaken idea of denouncing pleasure and praising pain was born and I will give you a complete account of the system
    Reply
Robert Sonny says Jul 21, 2024 at 10:00am

I must explain to you how all this mistaken idea of denouncing pleasure and praising pain was born and I will give you a complete account of the system
Reply

Jenny Watson

Hi! beautiful people. I`m an authtor of this blog. Read our post - stay with us

Instagram

How We Can
Help You!

A Victoria sponge relies on equal weights of butter, sugar, eggs and flour. Cream the butter well and avoid opening the oven too early.

section heading hidden

Our Latest News

Improving Clay Soil for Vegetable Beds

Baking a Classic Victoria Sponge at Home

Making Shortcrust Pastry for Savoury Pies

Contact Us

Article