17 Herbs to Grow Indoors in Low Light (Ranked Honestly)

Mint is the most forgiving herb on this list. Iowa State Extension names it among the easier herbs to grow indoors, and it keeps sending up new shoots even when winter slows it down. An east window with morning sun suits it well. Grow it in a pot of its own, since its runners crowd out anything that shares the space. Snip stems just above a pair of leaves, and two new shoots usually form there. If it gets leggy, cut it back by a third and move it closer to the glass. Keep the soil lightly moist and empty the saucer after watering. Pet note: the ASPCA lists mint as toxic to cats and dogs.

Parsley handles grey days better than most herbs, which makes it a staple for dim kitchens. Iowa State lists it among the easier herbs indoors. Flat-leaf and curly types both work. Flat-leaf tastes stronger, while curly looks tidier on a sill. Parsley grows a long taproot, so pick a deep pot rather than a shallow bowl. Harvest the outer stems at the base and leave the center to keep growing. Growth slows in winter light, so pick lightly and let the plant recover between cuts. Pet note: the ASPCA lists parsley as toxic to cats, dogs and horses.

Chives are one of the toughest herbs for a north window with open sky. Iowa State counts them among the easier herbs indoors, and their grassy clumps bounce back fast after cutting. Snip the hollow leaves an inch or two above the soil, a few at a time from the outside of the clump. If flower buds appear, pinch them off or let a few open. The purple blooms are edible. Chives don't mind a cool room, so a chilly sill is fine as long as the leaves don't touch frosty glass. Pet note: chives belong to the onion family, which the ASPCA lists as toxic to cats and dogs.

Garlic chives look like chives with flat leaves, and they taste mildly of garlic. They grow in the same tidy clumps and cope with similar conditions, so they make a good second onion-family herb for a medium-light shelf near a window. Cut them the same way: a few leaves at a time, an inch or two above the soil. Mature plants can send up small white star-shaped flowers, which are edible too. Indoors in winter, expect slow, steady growth rather than a big flush. Give the pot a quarter turn each week so the clump grows upright instead of leaning toward the glass. Pet note: like all onion relatives, garlic chives are toxic to cats and dogs.

Green onions are the simplest herb-like plant to regrow, and they need little light to push out new leaves. Save the white root ends from store-bought scallions, stand them in a jar with about an inch of water, and set the jar on a windowsill. New green shoots soon appear. Change the water every couple of days so it stays clear. In water alone, each round of regrowth gets thinner because the bulb runs out of stored energy. Plant the roots in a pot of soil if you want them to keep going. Pet note: green onions are onions, which the ASPCA lists as toxic to cats and dogs.

Cilantro likes the cool conditions a winter window offers. Iowa State includes it among the easier herbs to grow indoors. The catch is that cilantro runs to seed quickly, especially in warm rooms. A cool sill with bright, indirect light suits it better than a spot beside a heater. Sow a few seeds every few weeks for a steady supply instead of relying on one pot. Harvest outer leaves once the plant has several sets. When the new leaves turn thin and feathery, the plant is starting to flower and the flavor fades, so that's your cue to sow again. Pet note: check the ASPCA plant list before you grow it where pets roam.

Lemon balm is where sources split. Epic Gardening lists it as a low-light herb. Iowa State Extension groups it with the herbs that need more light and are more prone to spider mites. Both may be partly right: lemon balm survives in a medium spot but tends to grow lanky and pale there. Our take is to try it in your brightest east or west window and add a grow light if the stems stretch. It's a mint relative with a lemony scent and spreads the same way, so give it a pot of its own. Check leaf undersides for fine webbing, a sign of mites. Pet note: check the ASPCA plant list before you grow it where pets roam.

Chervil is the other herb sources disagree on. Epic Gardening calls it a low-light option, while Iowa State lists it among the herbs that need more light indoors. Outdoors, chervil is known for liking cool weather and some shade, which may explain the split. Indoors, a cool east window is a sensible middle ground. The lacy leaves taste mildly of anise and parsley. Chervil grows quickly and runs to seed in warm rooms, so sow small batches a few weeks apart. Cut leaves from the outside and use them fresh, since the flavor fades when dried. Pet note: check the ASPCA plant list before you grow it where pets roam.

Oregano is a Mediterranean herb that likes sun and dry soil. Iowa State counts it among the easier herbs indoors, as long as it gets a bright window. In a dim spot the stems stretch and the leaves lose their strong flavor. Let the top of the soil dry between waterings, and use a terracotta pot, which dries faster than plastic. Trim the stems often to keep the plant compact, since each cut sends out new side shoots. If your south window is taken, oregano is an easy herb to move under a clip-on grow light. Pet note: the ASPCA lists oregano as toxic to cats and dogs.

Thyme is small, tidy and happy on a sunny sill. Iowa State includes it among the easier herbs indoors. Its tiny leaves and woody stems are built for sun and dry air, so the bigger risk indoors is overwatering. Let the soil dry between waterings, as Iowa State advises for indoor herbs, and use a gritty potting mix. Snip the soft green tips rather than cutting into old wood, which is slow to regrow. Common thyme and lemon thyme both suit a windowsill. In a dim room, thyme hangs on but barely grows. Pet note: the ASPCA lists thyme as non-toxic to cats and dogs.

Basil is the herb most people want and the one that sulks most in winter. Iowa State lists it among the easier herbs, but it needs warmth and plenty of light. NC State Extension suggests 65 to 70°F during the day for indoor herbs, with nights about 10 degrees cooler, and basil dislikes anything colder. Keep it off icy sills at night. In short winter days a grow light helps most: Iowa State suggests 6 to 12 inches above the leaves for 12 to 16 hours. Pinch the top pair of leaves to keep it bushy, and remove flower buds. Pet note: the ASPCA lists basil as non-toxic to cats and dogs.

Thai basil has purple stems, narrow leaves and a hint of licorice. It needs the same warmth and bright light as sweet basil, so treat it the same way: a warm, sunny window, or a grow light in winter. It flowers readily, and the purple spikes are pretty, but pinch them off to keep leaves coming. Harvest from the top down, cutting just above a pair of leaves so two new stems branch out. Keep the soil evenly moist but never soggy, and let the top inch dry before you water again. Keep it away from cold drafts from doors and windows. Pet note: check the ASPCA plant list before you grow it where pets roam.

Marjoram looks like a softer, rounder oregano and tastes sweeter. Iowa State lists it among the herbs that need more light indoors and are more prone to spider mites. That puts it in your sunniest south window, or under a light from late fall through winter. Grow it in a terracotta pot with a gritty mix and let the soil dry between waterings. Pinch the tips to keep it bushy, and harvest stems before it flowers for the best flavor. Check leaf undersides for fine webbing or tiny specks, an early sign of mites. Pet note: check the ASPCA plant list before you grow it where pets roam.

Herb microgreens are the fastest way to get fresh flavor from a windowless kitchen. You sow seeds thickly in a shallow tray and cut the seedlings young, when they have their first leaves. Basil, cilantro and dill are common herb choices. University of Maryland Extension suggests keeping lights 6 to 12 inches above microgreens for about 16 hours a day. A winter window alone tends to give leggy, pale seedlings, which is why they sit in this group. Cut them with scissors just above the soil, then sow a fresh tray for the next batch. Pet note: check the ASPCA plant list before you grow it where pets roam.

Rosemary is the hardest herb on this list to keep happy indoors. Iowa State lists it among the herbs that need more light and are prone to spider mites. It wants your brightest south window, and in most homes a grow light too through winter. Let the top of the soil dry, but don't let the whole root ball dry out, which rosemary rarely recovers from. Good airflow helps keep powdery mildew away. If you are keeping a rosemary Christmas tree this year, our rosemary guide covers its care in detail. Pet note: the ASPCA lists rosemary as non-toxic to cats and dogs.

Sage has soft grey-green leaves built for sun. Iowa State lists it with the herbs that need more light indoors. In a dim room it grows thin, pale stems that flop over. Give it a south window or a grow light, plus a terracotta pot with a gritty, fast-draining mix. Sage dislikes wet roots more than most herbs, so let the soil dry well between waterings. Harvest a few leaves at a time from the outside, and avoid cutting more than about a third of the plant at once. Watch for mites on leaf undersides in dry winter air. Pet note: check the ASPCA plant list before you grow it where pets roam.

Bay laurel is a small tree, not a soft herb, and it grows slowly indoors. Iowa State lists bay among the herbs that need more light and are prone to pests. Give it a bright window in a cool room, and plan on a grow light if your winter light is weak. Its glossy leaves look tough, but scale insects and mites can hide on stems and leaf undersides, so check them when you water. Pick a few mature leaves at a time. With care it lives for years in a pot. Pet note: the ASPCA lists bay laurel as toxic to cats, dogs and horses, so keep it out of reach.