8 must-have herbs for your kitchen garden
Some herbs help boost immunity, improve digestion, and keep you feeling fresh and healthy.
Tulsi, mint, coriander, etc, are easy to grow and need very little care. Plus, growing your own herbs ensures you have fresh, natural ingredients free from harmful chemicals right at home. It also saves you frequent trips to the market and adds a touch of green to your living space.
Herbs for your kitchen garden, including tulsi, curry leaves, and more
1. Tulsi (Holy Basil)
Tulsi is revered in India for its health‑boosting and spiritual benefits.
It supports respiratory wellness, enhances immunity, and soothes stress. Ideal in teas, kadhas, or fresh garnishes, Tulsi thrives in full sun with moderate watering. Pinching off flower buds encourages leafy growth.
2. Mint (Pudina)
Fast-growing and aromatic, mint is perfect for chutneys, teas, and coolers. It prefers partial shade and consistently moist soil. To prevent it from overtaking your garden, grow mint in containers.
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3. Coriander (Dhania)
Coriander is a staple in Indian cooking, lending fresh leaves for garnishing and seeds for seasoning. It grows rapidly in well‑drained, moderately sunny spots. Sow seeds directly, and keep harvesting to delay flowering.
4. Curry leaves (Kadi patta)
A must in South Indian cuisine, curry leaves add depth to temperings and curries. This low-maintenance plant grows into a small tree, thrives in full sun, and prefers well-drained soil. Regular pruning enhances performance.
5. Thyme & oregano
These Mediterranean variants are easy to cultivate in containers, thriving with bright sunlight and minimal watering. Thyme adds earthy nuance to roasts and soups, while oregano brings vibrant Italian flavour to pasta, sauces, and dry seasoning mixes.
6. Parsley
Parsley is rich in iron and vitamins, and works wonderfully in soups, sauces, and salads. It requires partial to full sun and slightly moist soil and grows best in deep containers.
Regular harvesting promotes bushy growth.
7. Fenugreek (Methi)
Methi is fast-growing, with edible leaves and seeds. It's rich in iron, vitamins B1 through B9, C, and minerals like calcium and magnesium, boasting antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and digestive benefits. Sow methi in well-draining soil, keep it moist, and harvest leaves within 3 - 4 weeks. You can also allow some plants to flower and produce seeds.
8. Lemongrass & ajwain
Though not in the primary list, herbs like lemongrass, which adds citrusy fragrance and repels insects, and ajwain (Indian borage), valued for digestive and respiratory properties, are excellent additions for a diverse kitchen garden.
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10 creative ways to use apple cider vinegar in your garden
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