I've been growing essential kitchen herbs in my garden, and it's been a rewarding experience. Kitchen herbs are a staple in our daily meals, so why not grow them at home? Currently, I'm cultivating coriander, mint, tulsi, chili, and curry leaves.
These herbs are easy to grow, fresh, and require minimal maintenance, taking just a few weeks or months to flourish. Many Indians prefer growing their own herbs at home, and it's easy to see why. All you need is the right amount of sunlight and some pots. You can even grow these herbs in your kitchen or balcony with just a bit of sunlight.
When choosing herbs to grow, opt for those that mature in a few weeks and are frequently used. To ensure a continuous supply, stagger your planting by potting a new batch each week. This way, you'll always have fresh herbs ready for use throughout the month.
1) Grow Coriander or Dhania
Every meal feels incomplete without a garnish of coriander. We love it in our curries, dal, and many other dishes—it complements almost everything. Coriander chutney is often prepared for sandwiches or kebabs, and the beauty of this herb is that it serves as a versatile base ingredient for chutneys with many variations. The only thing to keep in mind when growing this herb is that it needs to be kept moist and requires minimal sunlight.
2) Grow Mint or Pudina
Mojitos in summer, biryani, or chutneys are incomplete without the addition of mint, also known as pudina leaves. This herb is well-known for its refreshing fragrance and taste, making it a staple in most Indian homes.
Winter is the best time to grow this herb, although it can be grown year-round if placed in a sunny spot, such as a home balcony or a windowsill.
Every South Indian dish is incomplete without the addition of curry leaves. Even as a North Indian, I use curry leaves in my dishes. We love tempering our dals and upma's with this herb. Being a frost-tender plant, it can be easily grown indoors.
Add fertilizers and keep the soil moist. Watering every alternate days grow in a spot with filtered or indirect sunlight. The good time to grow is during the warmer season
4) Grow Tulsi
Tulsi is a sacred herb, and no Indian home feels complete without a tulsi plant. The belief behind growing this plant is that it creates a positive and peaceful environment in and around the house. According to Hindu mythology, tulsi is one of the plants that is worshipped.
It is also used as a medicinal herb. The ancient tradition of Ayurveda holds that the leaves of this plant have healing properties. Tulsi is added to food or prasad, and during winter, people often drink "kadha," a homemade remedy made by adding tulsi to help alleviate coughs, fevers, and other ailments.
Tulsi is unique in that it can regrow by itself once planted. When its seeds fall into the soil, often carried by the breeze, the plant tends to grow naturally.
Spices are an essential part of all Indian cuisine, and chili is one of them. It comes in various forms and varieties, including dry, colorful, and green chili. Since chili is used in daily dishes, it is easy to grow at home.
To grow chili, simply plant the seeds in a pot filled with moist soil. This plant requires minimal sunlight and low maintenance. Water the plant when the soil is dry. Once the chilies start growing, you can use them in your dishes.
Thanks for reading!
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