Are you looking to give your house a better natural smell? Consider planting a couple of herbs in your kitchen or living room.
All you need to have is an empty window with direct sunlight and your favorite smelling herb.
A herb is any plant with leaves, seeds, or flowers that is used for fragrance, medicine, or seasoning. The best place to put them is in the kitchen because you’ll generally have a window close, this means you’ll be able to take care of them without skipping a beat.
Herbs are known for needing lots of sunlight. With this said, make sure to water them correctly and grow them in a well-drained soil mix to keep the roots healthy at all times. Although most herbs only need occasional watering, there are some exceptions like mint, basil, and chives that prefer moist soil.
So without going any further, these are 14 of the best smelling herbs for indoor growing.
Contents
Top 14 Best Smelling Herbs for Indoor Growing
1. Chives
Chives are a common kitchen ingredient with a tasty onion flavor and smell. For his matter, Chives are a common ingredient in many foods.
This herb is one of the best for growing indoors because of how they thrive when placed in a container. Although Chives can grow almost anywhere, they will grow at their max with full sunlight and moist soil.
2. Parsley
Parsley or “Petroselinum crispum” has dark green foliage that comes in two shapes: One is curly-leafed and the other, is flat-leafed and thought to be slightly more flavorful. Parsley fragrance is known for having a natural grassy smell
Parsley is known for being used in dishes like soup and salads. Parsley will also go very well in almost any sauce.
Parsley requires at least 5 hours of sunlight every day and will require water every time the top of the soil feels dry. Also, feed your Parsley half-strength liquid fertilizer once every two weeks
3. Fennel
Fennel is a flowering plant member of the carrot family. It is a hardy, long-existing herb with yellow flowers and feathery leaves.
The best Fennel for your kitchen though will be the Dill look-alike ones. These species have edible flowers and seeds that are very popular in the kitchen. Fennel has a very nice smell described as similar to anise and licorice.
Fennel prefers full sunlight and moist soil.
4. Bay
Bay or “Laurus Nobilis” is a herb native to the Mediterranean region. The name Laurus nobilis comes from Greek and Roman times, where heroes were decorated with the plant as a symbol of victory. Its long, green, fragrant, and slow-growing leaves can be used in a wide variety of foods, and it’s great for containers.
Bay grows densely and needs only occasional watering in well-drained soil, it will require bright light with full sun to partial shade, and will need fertilizer twice a month between spring and summer.
The smell of Bay hints at a combination between oregano and thyme with a pinch of sweet flowers.
5. Rosemary
Although Rosemary or “Rosmarinus officinalis” is famous for being used in foods like chicken, lamb, and other flavory dishes, this herb will keep your kitchen smelling fresh all season. The magic smell of this herb can take you to a warm climate during winter.
Rosemary will need about 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight and long periods of dry outs between waterings. Rosemary won’t necessarily need any kind of fertilizer, so make sure to only apply if the plant isn’t growing or begins to turn pale green.
6. Sage
Sage or “Salvia Officinalis” was originally used as a medicinal herb because it contains vitamins A and C. Sage also contains several antioxidants which help reduce the risk of serious health conditions like cancer.
But aside from its health benefits, Sage produces beautiful aromatic flowers during spring and summer that will give the space a fresh smell similar to mint.
Sage will require full sun if grown indoors. Also, only water this herb occasionally when the soil dries out. This herb can tolerate living in dry soil for a couple of days.
7. Basil
Basil is known for being very easy to grow in almost any area. It is a very pretty herb with green shiny leaves and little white flowers. Basil can contain different fragrances depending on the breed. The most common smells are cinnamon, lemon, and licorice.
This herb is used frequently in the kitchen to make pesto. It also fits well in sauces and salads.
Basil will require from 6 to 8 hours of sunlight and regular watering since it prefers to grow in moist soil.
8. Cilantro
Cilantro is a bright, distinctive ingredient for dishes, and it’s often paired with tomatoes, onions, and avocados. Cilantro has a very earthy and citrusy fresh smell describes as similar to a lime.
Cilantro requires at least 6 hours per day of direct sunlight with a south-facing window. Cilantro prefers to grow in well-drained moist soil, so be sure to check this every couple of days.
9. Thyme
Thyme is known for producing small fragrant leaves that have a grayish-green color. The aroma of thyme is pungent, warming, spicy with a mouth freshening sensation.
Thyme is used in the kitchen for stews, kinds of pasta, and soups. The herb is usually a key ingredient for many foods because of its versatile flavor.
Thyme will require hot conditions and full sunlight all day to thrive at its best. This means this herb is drought tolerant, so only water it when the soil feels dry.
10. Oregano
Oregano is one if not the most popular herb on this list because of how much people use it for food, especially Italian dishes.
Oregano produces flavorful foliage and small flowers during spring and summer. This herb has a very balsamic odor but it is known to smell like mint on some rare occasions.
Oregano requires full sunlight all day to get a better flavor. This herb only needs water when the soil is dry.
11. Mint
Mint is known for growing and spreading very fast. This is by far one of the best choices if you take into account fragrance and ease to grow.
Mint has a strong odor that will freshen your nostrils and mouth. That’s why many foods, candies, and even toothpaste are mint flavored.
Mint grows better in full sun but can also tolerate partial shade. Mint prefers to grow in moist and humid soil, this means you should water it with frequency.
12. Dill
Dill or“Anethum graveolens” produces very fragrant leaves and is very easy to grow indoors. The smell of Dill is similar to caraway but less strong.
This herb has one of the strongest flavors on the list and is used for many cuisines since it hints towards anise and lemon (depending on the breed).
Dill requires at least 8 hours of direct sunlight and moist, well-drained soil to thrive at its best.
13. Lemon Balm
This herb has a nice and fresh lemon aroma that will spread the smell across the whole room. Lemon balm spreads very quickly and is used in the kitchen mostly for drinks because of its citrus flavor.
Lemon balm will appreciate a sunny spot with at least 5 to 6 hours a day of sunlight and regular watering. Lemon balm will grow healthy in rich soil with occasional pruning.
14. Lavender
Lavender is by far the best smelling herb on the list. The fragrance of Lavander is so nice that many perfumes and colones are made of it. Some people even smoke lavender in replacement of tobacco.
This herb is also very good-looking, it has long, narrow, gray-green leaves with spikes of flowers that vary in hue, though purple is the most familiar.
Lavender will require at least 8 hours of direct sunlight per day. Only water Lavender when the soil is dry since this herb is drought tolerant.
