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How-To: Be a (Good) Plant Parent
Summer Rayne Oakes, environmental scientist and author of How to Make a Plant Love You, shares tips for making your homebound herbs happy.
By now, you already know how trendy houseplants are and you’ve probably already killed at least one succulent by overwatering it. Oops. But how about making your plants work a little harder for you? That’s right, put those plant babies to work by growing your own herbs. That way, you get to reap the benefit of tangy goodness without another trip to the grocery store. Plus, the added oxygen in your home can’t be a bad thing.
Anyone who likes having houseplants or enjoys cooking will eventually contemplate growing food indoors. I’ve tried lots of different veggies: potatoes, sweet potatoes, celery, pineapple, and ginger–just to name a few. But it’s tough to grow produce indoors. How tough? (Well, let’s just say you’d be very hungry if you had to rely on growing your groceries in your home!).
Herbs, however, are another story altogether and offer the home chef and plant lover alike some culinary pleasure. The first thing you should know about herbs is that they need a lot of light. If you’re in the Northern Hemisphere, they grow best in a southern or western exposure, but I’ve gotten away with growing basil, shiso, mint, verbena, and thyme in my northeast window with grow lights. Herbs in general don’t take up a lot of space, so keeping them in a small terracotta pot on your countertop will totally suffice. Finally, don’t be afraid to cut back your herbs. They respond well to trimming—and how else will you get that dash of flavor in your dishes if you don’t give them a little snip?
Three of the best herbs for beginners
- Thyme (Thymus vulgaris) One of those all-purpose herbs that I probably use the most across the board. I like to mix thyme with sumac and sesame to make a sweet, zesty, and herby Za’atar.
- Toothache Plant (Acmella oleracea) This is a fun one to keep on hand, as it gives the unsuspecting taster a little surprise. The flower heads give the mouth a slight numbing sensation and are like a cross between a Sichuan pepper and Novocaine!
- Basil (Ocimum basilicum) Snip some leaves of basil and toss over your frozen pizza or leftover spaghetti dish, blend with butter, or even shred it over some fresh tomatoes to make an ordinary dish extraordinary.
Further Reading
MODERN SPROUT’S TIPS FOR FAMILY-FRIENDLY GARDENING
Growing a garden is a meaningful activity that connects kids to where their food comes from and creates excitement around healthy veggies and fruits. At-home gardening is highly rewarding and can be easily adapted to any space, from pots on a windowsill to a sprawling backyard bed. Watch Modern Sprout’s family-friendly video on how to start growing seeds, click on the image to download your free growing map, and get started on your garden today!
Modern Sprout is a Chicago-based company that creates products focused on connecting people and plants.
