Growing edible houseplants is fun and rewarding to bring the garden inside. Not only do these plants add a touch of greenery to your home décor, but they also provide you with fresh, organic ingredients right at your fingertips.
From fragrant herbs to juicy fruits, a wide variety of edible houseplants thrive indoors. These are the delicious plants that you can easily grow in the comfort of your own home.
1. Basil
Basil is a classic herb that’s a staple in many cuisines, particularly Italian and Thai dishes. Its fragrant leaves add a burst of flavor to pasta, pizzas, soups, and salads. Basil thrives in warm, sunny conditions and can be grown year-round indoors.
Place your basil plant near a south-facing window that receives at least six hours of direct sunlight daily for optimal growth.
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To keep your basil plant healthy and productive, regularly pinch off the top leaves to encourage bushier growth.
Basil also benefits from frequent harvesting – the more you pick, the more it will grow! Use fresh basil leaves to make homemade pesto, infuse olive oil, or simply sprinkle them over your favorite dishes for a pop of fresh flavor.
2. Mint
Mint is a versatile herb that’s incredibly easy to grow indoors. Its refreshing aroma and cool flavor make it a popular choice for teas, cocktails, desserts, and savory dishes. It is a vigorous grower and can quickly take over a garden, so growing it in a container indoors helps keep it under control.
Mint prefers partial shade and moist, well-draining soil. Place your mint plant in a spot that receives bright, indirect light, and water it regularly to moisten the soil.
Harvest mint leaves as needed by snipping off the stems just above a pair of leaves. Mint can be used fresh, dried, or frozen for later use in various recipes.
3. Chives
Chives are a mild-flavored onion family member that adds a delicate onion flavor to dishes. Their slender, grass-like leaves are perfect for snipping over baked potatoes, omelets, soups, and salads. They are easy to grow indoors and require minimal care.
To grow chives indoors, place them on a sunny windowsill that receives at least six hours of direct sunlight daily. Chives prefer well-draining soil and moderate moisture.
Harvest chives by snipping the leaves close to the base of the plant, leaving about an inch of growth.
Chives will continue to regrow after harvesting, providing you with a steady supply of fresh herbs.
4. Rosemary
Rosemary is a fragrant, woody herb that’s commonly used in Mediterranean and French cuisine. Its needle-like leaves add a robust, piney flavor to roasted meats, vegetables, and bread.
Rosemary can be grown indoors with plenty of bright, direct sunlight.
To successfully grow rosemary indoors, place it in a south-facing window that receives at least six hours of direct sunlight daily. Rosemary prefers well-draining soil and infrequent watering – allow the soil to dry out between waterings to prevent root rot.
Harvest rosemary by snipping off sprigs as needed, not removing more than a third of the plant at a time.
5. Thyme
Thyme is a low-growing, aromatic herb that’s a staple in many savory dishes. Its tiny leaves pack a big punch of flavor, adding a slightly minty, earthy taste to soups, stews, roasted meats, and vegetables.
It is a hardy herb that’s well-suited for indoor growing.
To grow thyme indoors, place it in a sunny spot that receives at least six hours of direct sunlight daily. Thyme thrives in well-draining soil and prefers to be on the drier side – water only when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch.
Harvest thyme by snipping off sprigs as needed, not removing more than a third of the plant at a time.
6. Parsley
Parsley is a versatile herb that’s used in a wide range of cuisines, from Mediterranean to Middle Eastern to American. Its bright green leaves add a fresh, slightly peppery flavor to dishes and make an attractive garnish.
It can easily grow indoors and thrive in sunny and partially shaded locations.
To grow parsley indoors, place it in a spot that receives at least four hours of direct sunlight daily. Parsley prefers moist, well-draining soil – water regularly to keep the soil consistently moist but not soggy.
Harvest parsley by snipping off outer stems close to the base of the plant, allowing new growth to emerge from the center.
7. Cilantro
Cilantro, also known as coriander, is an herb with a distinctive, citrusy flavor that’s commonly used in Mexican, Indian, and Southeast Asian cuisine. Its leaves are often used fresh in salsas, curries, and salads, while its seeds are dried and used as a spice.
Cilantro can be grown indoors, but it has a shorter lifespan than many other herbs.
To grow cilantro indoors, place it in a sunny south-facing window that receives at least six hours of direct sunlight daily. Cilantro prefers well-draining soil and moderate moisture-water when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch.
Harvest cilantro leaves as needed, not removing more than a third of the plant at a time. Cilantro will bolt (produce flowers and seeds) relatively quickly, so it’s best to sow new seeds every few weeks for a continuous supply.
8. Oregano
Oregano is a flavorful herb that’s a staple in Italian and Greek cuisine. Its slightly bitter, pungent leaves add depth to pizzas, pasta, soups, and stews.
It is a low-maintenance herb that’s easy to grow indoors.
To grow oregano indoors, place it in a sunny spot that receives at least six hours of direct sunlight daily. Oregano prefers well-draining soil and infrequent watering – allow the soil to dry out between waterings to prevent root rot.
Harvest oregano by snipping off sprigs as needed, not removing more than a third of the plant at a time.
9. Sage
Sage is an aromatic herb with velvety, grayish-green leaves that add an earthy, slightly peppery flavor to dishes. It’s commonly used in stuffing, sauces, and with roasted meats.
Sage is a relatively easy herb to grow indoors if it receives plenty of sunlight.
To grow sage indoors, place it in a south-facing window that receives at least six hours of direct sunlight daily. Sage prefers well-draining soil and infrequent watering – allow the soil to dry out between waterings to prevent root rot.
Harvest sage leaves as needed, not removing more than a third of the plant at a time.
10. Lemon Balm
Lemon balm is a fragrant herb with a delightful lemony scent and flavor. Its leaves can be used to make herbal teas, added to salads and desserts, or used as a garnish.
It is a hardy herb that’s easy to grow indoors.
To grow lemon balm indoors, place it in a spot that receives at least four hours of direct sunlight daily. Lemon balm prefers moist, well-draining soil – water regularly to keep the soil consistently moist but not soggy.
Harvest lemon balm leaves as needed, not removing more than a third of the plant at a time.
11. Stevia
Stevia is a natural sweetener that’s derived from the leaves of the stevia plant. It’s a popular alternative to sugar and artificial sweeteners, as it contains zero calories and a zero glycemic index.
Stevia can be grown indoors and used to sweeten beverages and desserts.
To grow stevia indoors, place it in a sunny spot that receives at least six hours of direct sunlight daily. Stevia prefers well-draining soil and moderate moisture-water when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch.
Harvest stevia leaves as needed and use them fresh or dried to sweeten your favorite recipes.
12. Ginger
Ginger is a flavorful root that’s commonly used in Asian cuisine, as well as in teas and baked goods. Its spicy, slightly sweet flavor adds warmth and depth to dishes.
Ginger can be grown indoors from a fresh rhizome purchased at the grocery store.
To grow ginger indoors, plant a fresh rhizome in a pot filled with a well-draining potting mix. Place the pot in a warm, sunny spot that receives indirect light – ginger prefers temperatures between 75-85°F.
Keep the soil consistently moist but not soggy.
Harvest the ginger rhizome by digging up the entire plant once the leaves have died, typically after 8-10 months.
13. Turmeric
Turmeric is a vibrant yellow spice derived from the turmeric plant’s rhizomes. It’s commonly used in Indian and Middle Eastern cuisine and traditional medicine for its anti-inflammatory properties.
Like ginger, turmeric can be grown indoors from a fresh rhizome.
To grow turmeric indoors, follow the same planting and care instructions as for ginger. Turmeric prefers warm temperatures, indirect sunlight, and consistently moist soil.
Harvest turmeric rhizomes after 8-10 months when the leaves have died back.
14. Microgreens
Microgreens are young, tender greens that are harvested just a few weeks after germination. They’re packed with nutrients and add a burst of flavor and texture to salads, sandwiches, and garnishes.
Microgreens are incredibly easy to grow indoors and don’t require much space.
To grow microgreens indoors, fill a shallow tray with moistened potting mix and sprinkle seeds evenly over the surface. Cover the seeds with a thin layer of soil and place the tray in a sunny spot or under grow lights.
Keep the soil consistently moist and harvest the microgreens when they’re 1-2 inches tall, typically within 1-2 weeks of planting.
15. Scallions
Scallions, also known as green onions, are a versatile allium that adds a mild flavor to dishes. They’re commonly used in Asian cuisine, as well as in salads, soups, and as a garnish.
Scallions are easy to grow indoors from the root ends of store-bought scallions.
To regrow scallions indoors, save the root ends (about 1 inch long) from store-bought scallions and place them in a glass of water. Change the water daily and place the glass in a sunny spot.
The scallions will regrow from the roots, providing you with a continuous supply of fresh greens.
Once the roots have grown a few inches long, you can plant them in soil for a more permanent indoor scallion patch.
16. Tomatoes
Tomatoes are popular, and usually grown outdoors, but they can also thrive indoors with the right conditions.
Cherry or dwarf varieties are best suited for indoor growing, as they require less space and have a shorter growth habit.
To grow tomatoes indoors, choose a sunny south-facing window or use grow lights to provide at least 6-8 hours of bright light daily. Plant tomato seeds or seedlings in large pots filled with well-draining potting mix.
Water regularly to keep the soil consistently moist and fertilize every 2-4 weeks with a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer.
Harvest tomatoes when they’re fully ripe and enjoy them fresh or in your favorite recipes.
Nancy has been a plant person from an early age. That interest blossomed into a bachelor’s in biology from Elmira College and a master’s degree in horticulture and communications from the University of Kentucky. Nancy worked in plant taxonomy at the University of Florida and the L. H. Bailey Hortorium at Cornell University, and wrote and edited gardening books at Rodale Press in Emmaus, PA. Her interests are plant identification, gardening, hiking, and reading.