How to Grow Herbs Indoors Without Sunlight: A Beginner’s Guide

Introduction

Growing herbs indoors is a delightful way to enhance your cooking, save money, and add greenery to your home. But what if your apartment or house lacks adequate natural sunlight? Does that mean you’re out of luck?

Absolutely not.

Many people successfully grow herbs indoors without direct sunlight by using a combination of artificial lighting, smart container choices, and proper care techniques. Whether you live in a basement apartment, a home with limited windows, or simply want to keep herbs thriving through the winter, this guide is for you.

Let’s explore how to create a thriving indoor herb garden—even in the darkest corners of your home.

Why Grow Herbs Indoors Without Sunlight?

Before jumping into the “how,” let’s understand the “why.” Some reasons you may want to grow herbs indoors without natural sunlight include:

Lack of sunny windows: Not every home has southern exposure or unobstructed windows.
Year-round growing: Herbs like basil and parsley don’t do well in freezing temperatures.
Urban living: Apartments often lack balconies or outdoor garden space.
More control: Indoors, you can regulate temperature, humidity, and light much more precisely.

Understanding Light Needs for Herbs

Herbs are classified into three main light categories:

Full sun herbs (e.g., basil, rosemary, oregano): Need 6–8 hours of direct light daily.
Partial sun herbs (e.g., parsley, mint, chives): Require about 3–6 hours.
Shade-tolerant herbs (e.g., cilantro, lemon balm): Can grow with even less.

Even if you have no sunlight, you can substitute natural light with artificial grow lights, giving you flexibility to grow nearly any herb indoors.

Step-by-Step Guide to Growing Herbs Indoors Without Sunlight

Step 1: Choose the Right Herbs

Some herbs are more adaptable to low-light or artificial-light environments. For beginners, choose herbs that thrive indoors and can grow without direct sunlight.

Top herbs to grow without sunlight:

Mint – Extremely resilient and shade-tolerant.
Parsley – Thrives under fluorescent lights.
Chives – Grows well in partial light.
Cilantro – Doesn’t like heat or too much sun.
Lemon Balm – Low maintenance and shade-loving.
Thyme – Can adapt to indirect light with proper care.
Basil – Needs more light, but can thrive under strong artificial lights.

Step 2: Invest in Quality Grow Lights

Since you’re working without sunlight, grow lights are essential. These lights mimic the sun’s spectrum, allowing your herbs to photosynthesize and grow properly.

Types of grow lights:

Fluorescent lights (T5 or CFL):
- Affordable and easy to find.
- Good for leafy herbs like parsley and mint.
LED grow lights:
- Energy-efficient and long-lasting.
- Emit specific red and blue wavelengths ideal for plant growth.
- Ideal for more demanding herbs like basil and rosemary.
Full-spectrum lights:
- Best mimic natural sunlight.
- Suitable for all growth stages.

How long should lights be on?

Most herbs need 12–16 hours of light per day under artificial lighting.
Use a timer to automate the light cycle.

Step 3: Pick the Right Containers

When growing indoors, container choice matters. Your pots must allow proper drainage to prevent water-logging and root rot.

Tips for containers:

Use pots with drainage holes.
Choose clay or ceramic for breathability or plastic for lightness and cost.
Consider self-watering containers if you travel frequently.

Size matters:

4-6 inches deep pots are ideal for herbs.
Keep spacing in mind: avoid overcrowding.

Step 4: Use Quality Potting Mix

Outdoor garden soil is too dense and heavy for indoor pots. Instead, use a lightweight, well-draining potting mix.

Recommended soil features:

Organic or sterile mix.
Contains peat moss, perlite, or vermiculite for aeration.
Optional: Add compost or worm castings for nutrients.

Avoid soil that compacts easily—it can suffocate roots and retain too much water.

Step 5: Watering Wisely

Overwatering is one of the most common mistakes when growing herbs indoors.

General watering rules:

Water when the top 1 inch of soil feels dry.
Use a saucer under the pot to catch excess water.
Mist herbs with a spray bottle to maintain humidity if your home is dry.
Avoid letting herbs sit in standing water.

Some herbs (like rosemary and thyme) prefer drier soil, while mint and parsley like it consistently moist.

Step 6: Maintain Optimal Temperature and Humidity

Most herbs prefer temperatures between 65–75°F (18–24°C).

Tips:

Keep herbs away from drafty windows or heating vents.
Use a humidifier in dry environments.
Grouping plants together can increase local humidity.

If you see brown edges on leaves, it may be due to low humidity.

Step 7: Feed Your Herbs Occasionally

Even with good soil, indoor herbs need a nutrient boost now and then.

Fertilizer tips:

Use a balanced liquid fertilizer (e.g., 10-10-10) diluted to half-strength.
Feed every 3–4 weeks during active growth.
Avoid over-fertilizing—too much nitrogen can reduce flavor.

Organic alternatives like compost tea or fish emulsion also work well.

Step 8: Prune and Harvest Regularly

Trimming herbs encourages bushier growth and prevents legginess (tall, thin stems).

How to harvest:

Pinch or snip above a leaf node (where leaves join the stem).
Don’t take more than ⅓ of the plant at a time.
For herbs like basil, remove flower buds to keep the flavor strong.

Regular harvesting keeps your herbs productive and flavorful.

Common Problems and Solutions

Problem	Likely Cause	Solution
Yellowing leaves	Overwatering or poor drainage	Let soil dry out, check pot drainage
Leggy, thin stems	Inadequate light	Use stronger grow lights or increase hours
Wilting leaves	Underwatering or root rot	Adjust watering schedule
Mold on soil surface	Poor air circulation or excess moisture	Improve airflow, reduce watering
Pests (e.g., gnats)	Overwatered soil or poor hygiene	Let soil dry, use neem oil spray

Creative Indoor Herb Garden Ideas Without Sunlight

Hydroponic Systems: No soil needed. Roots grow in water and nutrients under grow lights.
Mason Jar Gardens: Add rocks for drainage and place under LED light strips.
Vertical Herb Walls: Stack herbs on a wall-mounted rack with LED light bars.
Kitchen Counter Herb Station: Compact kits with built-in lighting for small spaces.

Top Indoor Herb Kits With Grow Lights (Beginner Friendly)

AeroGarden Harvest
- Comes with LED lights and pre-seeded pods.
- Great for basil, mint, thyme, and dill.
iDOO Indoor Herb Garden Kit
- Self-watering and includes a grow light with multiple settings.
Click & Grow Smart Garden
- Soil-free system that adjusts lighting and watering automatically.

These kits are ideal for people with no gardening experience or those who want a low-maintenance setup.

Benefits of Growing Herbs Indoors Without Sunlight

Year-round supply: Enjoy fresh herbs in any season.
Cost-saving: Stop buying $3 bunches of basil every week.
Healthier meals: Fresh herbs make cooking healthier and tastier.
Therapeutic hobby: Gardening is a stress reliever and mood booster.
Aromatherapy: Scents like mint and lemon balm freshen your home naturally.

Conclusion

Growing herbs indoors without sunlight is not only possible—it’s practical, affordable, and highly rewarding. With the right herbs, a reliable grow light, good soil, and a little patience, you can turn even the darkest apartment corner into a thriving green oasis.

Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or a curious beginner, starting a sunless herb garden is one of the most accessible and fulfilling gardening adventures you can take. Happy growing!

FAQs

Q: Can any herb grow indoors without sunlight?
Not all herbs. Some like basil and rosemary need stronger light, but mint, parsley, and chives adapt well under artificial lighting.

Q: How long should I leave grow lights on for herbs?
Most herbs need 12–16 hours of artificial light daily.

Q: What’s the best grow light for beginners?
LED full-spectrum lights or beginner kits like AeroGarden are ideal.

Q: Is it safe to eat herbs grown under artificial light?
Yes! Herbs grown under grow lights are just as safe and nutritious as those grown outdoors.

Q: How often should I water my indoor herbs?
Water when the top inch of soil is dry—usually every 3–5 days, depending on humidity and container type.