5 Herbs You Should Not Grow Indoors and Why

Not all herbs are indoor plant-party enthusiasts. Some need lots of sun or wide-open spaces. Discover five herbs never to plant inside!
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Indoor herb gardens are popular because they allow you to enjoy fresh herbs straight from the kitchen windowsill. Rain or shine, your herb garden continues to thrive as long as you provide all the right conditions.

However, not all herbs are suitable for indoor planting. Some prefer to soak in plenty of sunshine to grow blooms and leaves, while others want their foliage to spread far and wide. Most of these plants also do not appreciate the confines of small pots!

So, before planning your indoor herb garden, learn about five herbs that prefer the great outdoors!

Fennel
fennel flower closeup

Fennel is an attractive plant with soft, plumy foliage, tall stems, and clusters of tiny yellow blooms. As beautiful as it looks growing in your garden, it is not the best choice for indoor gardening.

Fennel can grow up to 6½ feet in height and 2 feet wide. Growing them indoors would require large containers that would look bulky and occupy premium space in your house.

Fennels are perennial plants that die back in the fall and reappear from the base in the spring. Plant them in an area with full sun for at least six hours daily and moist, fertile, well-draining soil. Water them when the top inch of the soil feels dry.

Lovage
closeup of lovage

Lovage plants is a lesser known herb with glossy, dark green leaves and yellow flowers. The stems are hollow and thick, like celery. The leafstalk and the stem’s lower parts also have a sweet celery-like flavor. So, you can consume them in soups and stews.

Lovage can grow to 6½ feet tall and 3¼ feet wide. They are also vigorous growers that require large containers, at least 1 foot wide. Their growing habit makes them unsuitable for indoor herb gardens, where you usually plant herbs that do not reach more than a few inches tall.

To grow these perennial herbs outdoors, choose an ideal location. They prefer light shade but can also tolerate full sun (around six hours daily) and appreciate rich, well-draining soil. Lovage prefers consistently moist soil, so ensure the soil is damp to the touch at all times but not waterlogged.

Dill
a person holding harvested dill

Dill is a popular herb for flavoring pickles and dressings and makes an excellent addition to potato dishes. It has feathery leaves with a subtle fennel-like flavor and delicate yellow blooms appearing in clusters.

Growing dill outdoors is ideal, as it can reach up to 3 feet tall, with taller varieties growing up to 5 feet. They also require large, about 1-foot wide, deep containers, as the long taproots need room to grow.

Grow dill outdoors, where it can receive at least six to eight hours of daily sunlight and in rich, well-draining soil. Water once or twice a week in the absence of rainfall. Provide 1 to 2 inches of water per week in the absence of rainfall.

Cilantro
A cilantro plant in a dirt patch.

Cilantro is a distinct herb with aromatic, incredibly pungent leaves. You can use the green leaves and seeds in cooking for exotic flavors and aromas.

Cilantro is happiest outdoors. While you can grow it indoors, it has a small lifespan of about eight weeks or less. This is because cilantro requires strong, direct sunlight, and temperatures below 70 degrees Fahrenheit to thrive. Lack of sunlight can make the plant leggy, with small leaves. It can also quickly bolt (go to seed) when temperatures exceed 75 degrees Fahrenheit.

So, it is best to plant cilantro outside in full sun, at least six hours a day, and loamy, well-draining soil. Provide consistent moisture by watering the herb when the top inch of the soil is dry to the touch.

Cilantro is notorious for being polarizing. Some people have a gene that allows them to detect the aldehyde chemical in cilantro, which makes it taste and smell soapy.

Chamomile
chamomile flowers in the meadow

Chamomile is a stunning herb that produces dainty, daisy-like, aromatic flowers. You can use these blooms to brew teas to enjoy a delicious earthy taste with hints of sweet, apple-like, floral taste. You can also use chamomile tea for a healthier garden.

The primary reason for growing chamomile is to enjoy the flowers’ sight, scent, and taste. If you grow them indoors, the lack of sunlight can cause stunted, spindly growth and fewer blooms. If your plant is not blooming, it is best to take it outdoors. It also requires room to grow, so you need containers at least 1 foot wide to keep the herb happy.

Grow chamomile in your garden in an area with full sun and rich, well-draining soil. The herb appreciates an inch of water per week.
Please Let the Herbs Out!

Indoor herb gardens are the best way to enjoy the freshest herbs throughout the years. Unfortunately, they might not be the ideal growing space for a few herbs. These herbs require ideal conditions to grow and produce foliage and blooms that are not available indoors.

Have you tried starting a herb garden? Which herbs thrived the most in your indoor garden? Share below in the comments!

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