Homegrown plants will beautify the environment of your home. There are more than 10 beneficial herbal plants for human health that you can cultivate inside or outside your home. You can grow these plants in your garden or even on your rooftop. Some of these plants can also be grown indoors in pots or suitable containers, even in small apartments. However, in the first stage, you need to familiarize yourself with the necessary conditions for their growth and cultivation. In this post from Plants Folder, We have compiled a list of homegrown herbal plants (which can be grown and maintained inside or outside the house with minimal cost) for you:
Necessary conditions for growing medicinal plants
The climatic conditions of the city or region where you live are one of the influential factors in the growth and productivity of medicinal plants. Some of these plants are adapted to tropical or subtropical climates, while some grow in regions with moderate or cold climates.
In general, when selecting a plant, you should consider the following factors:
– Required temperature for growth
– Amount and frequency of watering
– Soil moisture level
– Sunlight exposure
– Required space for root growth
List of Homegrown Herbal Plants
Some medicinal plants promote human health and enhance the immune system. You can choose to grow them at home. Here are some of them. These plants, in addition to purifying the air, can be a suitable option for incorporation into your diet and the well-being of your family members.
Marzangu
Marzangu has a mild and pleasant aroma. Compared to similar species, this plant has a sweeter taste. To grow and cultivate spearmint at home or in an apartment, you need the following conditions:
– Full sunlight
– Well-draining soil
– Regular watering
If you can provide a suitable container for the root growth of spearmint, you will witness its top portion growing up to over 1 meter.
Spearmint is a perennial plant that thrives in cool and mildly cold climates, making it recommended for growth in zones 8 to 10.
Mint
If mint is directly planted in garden soil, it may quickly grow and spread around its surroundings. For this reason, mint is considered an invasive plant that can interfere with the growth of other plants.
You can grow mint in a container. However, many people plant it alongside trees or in a corner of the garden.
Required conditions for mint growth:
– Direct sunlight exposure (or partial shade)
– Different types of well-draining soil
– Regular watering
Keep in mind that rich soils will promote rapid growth of the mint plant. Additionally, with regular watering (under sunlight exposure), you may observe faster growth of the mint bush.
Varieties of Mint
Mint has different varieties, each with its unique essential oil and flavor. Some of these varieties can grow up to over 1 meter.
Rosemary
One of the Mediterranean plants that can be grown and cultivated inside or outside the house or apartment is rosemary. This plant prefers bright, warm, and dry environments.
Under suitable conditions, the rosemary bush can grow up to 2 meters in height. However, as an indoor plant, a growth of half to one meter seems ideal.
A key point regarding the root of the rosemary plant is that it thrives best in soils with rapid drainage.
Rosemary is resistant to dryness. However, it is recommended to keep the plant’s roots moist. The soil should not be completely wet.
Pennyroyal
pennyroyal is one of the widely used herbs in many Mediterranean dishes and can grow in moderate to cool climatic conditions.
The best conditions for thyme growth are:
– Direct sunlight exposure
– Well-draining soil
– Abundant watering
Pennyroyal can be grown in a pot. However, remember that if you place the container in a location with more sunlight exposure and provide regular watering, you will witness better leaf growth and a stronger flavor.
Size of pennyroyal Bush
Some pennyroyal varieties (with suitable conditions provided) can grow over one meter and remain harvestable for several years.
Sage
Moderate to cool climatic conditions are suitable for the growth of this plant. The ideal conditions for the growth of this plant species are:
– Full sunlight
– Moist and well-draining soil.
Thyme
This plant also has various species that can grow in nature or indoors. Note that the root of the thyme plant does not like wet and moist soil. Therefore, watering should be done when the soil has dried out. You can cultivate it in a suitable container inside an apartment or outside the house.
Basil
Basil is an herb used worldwide, from Europe and America to Asia and Australia. The roots of this plant require rich soil abundant in nutrients for growth. It is best to place the basil plant in direct sunlight and water it alternately. If you place a few basil seeds in a container or pot, you will see seedlings sprouting after about 4 to 6 weeks. After that, due to the rapid growth of the basil plant, it will need a pot with a capacity of 5 gallons. Some people grow basil together with parsley or thyme indoors, close to each other.
Scallions or Welsh Onions
Many people may not have much interest in scallions or Welsh onions due to their smell. However, it is possible to cultivate this plant in a pot.
Growth conditions:
It is better to use rich soil with good drainage for the growth of scallions. The plant can grow in partial shade or sunlight.
However, it is preferable to grow it outside the house to avoid the odor from bothering you.
Tarragon
Tarragon is another herb that can be used in various dishes. It is interesting to know that tarragon is a classic French herb that holds a special place in European cuisine.
Required conditions for tarragon growth:
– Direct sunlight
– Well-draining soil
– Periodic watering
If you can provide suitable conditions for the growth of tarragon roots, you may witness them growing over 1 meter. A corner of the garden or a pot (or a plastic container) is a suitable environment to facilitate the growth of this plant outside the house.
Lavender
Lavender plants are widely cultivated in some parts of the world, including the United States, due to their medicinal properties. You can grow this plant outside the house in a garden or even on a rooftop by creating suitable conditions.
Required conditions for growing lavender indoors:
– Direct sunlight
– Well-draining soil
– Moderate to cool conditions
The plant’s soil should be slightly moist to slightly dry. Additionally, excessive use of fertilizer is not recommended for lavender growth.
It should be noted that lavender plants have different species, and you will need a large pot or container for their full growth.
Summary
Different plant species can be grown and cultivated indoors or outside the house. However, many of them are purely ornamental and cannot be used for their leaves, flowers, or fruits.
We mentioned 10 examples of medicinal plants that can be grown in various regions of the world. Of course, there are other plants (such as blueberries, aloe vera, and other herbal species) that you can cultivate in a suitable environment inside your home.
You can purchase the seeds or seedlings of these plants at a minimal cost and witness their growth in your home environment. Taking care of these plants is not difficult, and you will easily have the opportunity to harvest and use them in your diet.
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