Take up gardening as a hobby by starting with some easy to grow herbs at home

Sitting at home and wondering how to spend time? Have you ever tried gardening? Well, if not yet then think again. You need not be a pro or an expert to take up gardening as a hobby. All you need is a little passion, a little patience, soil, pots and you are ready to grow. Now you will ponder – what can I grow at home? There are numerous choices available. But you can start with some relatively easy to grow herbs.

Herbs have long been revered for both their medicinal and culinary value. They may cure colds, help you sleep and add flavor and zest to dinner. They thrive in just about any type of soil, do not require much fertilizer, and are not often bothered by insect or disease pests. Though remember that in order to grow efficiently, all herbs need plenty of sunlight, moderate temperatures, and a soil or potting mix that drains well. Most herbs are native to the Mediterranean — provide them with conditions similar to this region and they will flourish.

You can choose to grow either indoors or outdoors. Of course, you can combine the two options by growing in containers. This way herbs can be outside during the growing season and moved indoors when it gets cold.

Tip: If you are planting in a container, don’t forget to drill a drainage hole at the bottom so that the water can drain out and the soil does not become swampy. Irrigate in a way that the soil just remains moist and there is no water logging.

Let’s now start with the most common herb and the most loved one in the Indian kitchen – Coriander.

1. Coriander / Dhania whose leaves resemble that of parsley, is also known as cilantro. It is used for garnishing dishes in Indian Cooking and is known to add freshness and colour to the food.

How to plant coriander?

1. Crush few coriander seeds and spread them evenly in a pot.

2. Cover the crushed seeds with a thin layer of soil.

3. Drench the soil regularly till germination.

4. Since the seeds germinate quickly, you need to spread them evenly to avoid a dense growth.

5. Remember that Coriander is a stubborn plant and might take a little while to grow.

Tip: Sow coriander before the onset of winter and enjoy a healthy yield all through winter.

2. Mint or pudina is a herb that is synonymous to freshness. Use it for seasoning your salad, adding it to your cup of tea or grind it finely to make ‘chutney’, mint can bring that extra zing and unique flavour to almost any thing you cook, making you salivate every single time. But apart from its dressing and seasoning value for various recipes in cooking, it offers numerous health benefits.

How to plant Mint?

1. Mint grows well in shade.

2. Plant some stem cuttings in a pot. They will develop roots after some days.

3. Do not make the pot water logged.

4. Since Mint is an invasive plant avoid planting it in a flower bed and prefer planting it independently.

5. For optimum growth mulch the mint plant.

Tip: Use mint for various home remedies or simply add it to your drinks and savour its refreshing taste.

3. Holy Basil / Tulsi has been an integral part of both temples and homes in India.

How to plant Holy Basil / Tulsi?
       1. Pluck the dried seeds from the plant and sow them.
       2. Once the baby plants are mature, you can transplant them.
       3. Like chilli, bestow the tulsi plant with ample of water and sunlight.
       4. To keep the plant healthy, do regular pruning. Pinch off the flowering shoots as soon as
            they appear to keep the foliage growing.
Tip: Tulsi can be used as an excellent cleanser and an excellent medicinal herb to fight cold.


4. Indian Chilli Pepper / Mirchi is aptly called the queen of spices. Raw, fried, roasted in your tadkas or added to curries, this little spice is not only delicious but also rich in so many vitamins. It comes with a pack of health benefits that it almost seems unbelievable.

 How to plant Chillies?

1. Pick a dried red chilli, break it and sow the seeds.

2. If possible, use a seed tray initially. It will help in faster germination of seeds.

3. Post-germination transfers the delicate saplings onto a big pot.

4. Generously supply the chilli plant with water and loads of sunlight.

5. The Chilli plant grows in no time.

Tip: Use homegrown chillies to add the extra zing to your food or dry them to prepare chilli powder.