Potting Up Herbs for Indoors in Fall: What to Bring In and How
Potting up herbs for indoors in fall means digging perennial herbs from the garden plus moving them into pots for a sunny window over winter.
The short answer
Montana State Extension notes perennial herbs grown outside can come in for winter, such as rosemary, chives, thyme plus mint. Iowa State notes most herbs need about eight hours of direct light indoors. Use clay pots with drainage holes plus a well drained potting mix. Water once the top of the mix feels dry.
Which herbs should you bring in?
| Herb | Indoor note | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Chives | Tolerates a little less light | Iowa State |
| Mint | Light frost first | Montana State |
| Thyme | May need supplemental light | Iowa State |
| Rosemary | Higher light need | Iowa State |
Source: Iowa State plus Montana State.
How much light do indoor herbs need?
Iowa State notes light is the most limiting factor. A south facing window suits them. If light is short, set grow lights 6 to 12 inches from the leaves on a timer for 12 to 16 hours.
How to: step by step
- Let mint plus chives get a light frost.
- Lift each herb with its root ball.
- Give each herb its own container.
- Use clay pots with drainage holes.
- Set them in a sunny south window.
- Water when the mix is dry to the touch.
Troubleshooting
Lanky growth: low light. Iowa State advises a grow light.
Wet mix: pot too large. Use a pot sized to the plant.
Spider mites on rosemary: Iowa State notes rosemary often gets pests indoors.
Read fertilizer plus compost for growing outdoors, fall garden cleanup after cannabis harvest plus planning an outdoor cannabis garden layout. Kind Seed Co also stocks cannabis seeds.
Sources
- Growing herbs indoors, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach
- Can I grow herbs indoors over winter?, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach
- Pots of possibility: herbs that thrive indoors, Montana State University Extension
- Allium schoenoprasum (chives), NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox
FAQ
Why give chives a frost first?
Montana State notes mint plus chives benefit from a light frost before moving indoors. It starts a rest period that spurs growth.
What pots suit indoor herbs?
Iowa State notes clay or terracotta pots dry out more readily. Each pot needs drainage holes.
Should I fertilize herbs in winter?
Iowa State advises fertilizing from early spring through summer plus skipping it in winter.
Can I grow several herbs in one pot?
Iowa State advises one species per container, since herbs differ in their needs.
Can chives be divided before potting?
Yes. NC State notes chives grow in clumps that can be divided in spring or fall plus potted for a sunny window.
