Buying fresh herbs can be pretty costly. But fortunately, growing herbs yourself is not only cheaper, but pretty easy to do, too. All you need is a bit of TLC and a lot of sunlight, and you can enjoy the ample benefits of cultivating your own mini herb garden right in your own kitchen.

So whether you have a green thumb or could use a little help in that department, growing herbs is the tastiest way to connect with nature. To enjoy the simple pleasures of homegrown flavor, take a look at the six easiest herbs to grow on your windowsill, plus tips for getting started.

Getting Started

Before you begin your gardening journey, you’ll need to gather a few supplies. Here’s what you’ll need:

• A small pot or container with drainage holes
• High-quality potting soil
• Seeds or seedlings

Once you have your supplies ready, it’s time to pick an area where your herbs can grow and thrive. The best place is a south or west-facing window that receives several hours of sunlight every day — at least six. This provides the most optimal conditions for your seeds to grow into strong and healthy herbs.

Herbs for Your Windowsill

If you need help deciding which herbs to grow on your windowsill, here are six options that are perfect for beginners.

Basil

Basil is a super aromatic herb that works especially well when used in pasta sauces, vinaigrettes, and even desserts. And depending on your tastes, you can pick between sweet basil or Thai basil, as both varieties are pretty easy to grow indoors.

Mint

Containing cooling and refreshing properties, mint is a tasty addition to cocktails, teas, and salads. Plus, with mint, you can save money on buying seeds over time by simply cutting off a piece of an existing mint plant and placing it in water or soil to root. Unlike other herbs, this makes mint a particularly economical choice for your windowsill herb garden.

Rosemary

This woody perennial herb is powerful in flavor, making it ideal for sprucing up roasted meats, potatoes, and bread. Rosemary is a fairly resilient and forgiving herb, requiring little maintenance to grow on your windowsill once it’s taken root.

Chives

Chives are a delicate herb with a strong onion flavor, making it perfect for garnishing salads, soups, and creamy dips. The best part about growing chives is that as long as you snip off the green shoots when needed, they’ll keep regrowing throughout the growing season for endless access to fresh chives.

Parsley

Parsley is a popular herb found in pasta sauces, salads, and even garnishes. Not only does it add a touch of freshness to your dishes, it’s pretty easy to grow, too. And because it quickly germinates, you can expect to see the first sprouts in just two or three weeks.

Thyme

Featuring an earthy flavor and aroma, thyme is a versatile herb that makes you feel right at home, which is why it’s the perfect complement to meats, stews, roasted vegetables, and other homey dishes. Plus, it’s relatively easy to grow, requiring infrequent watering and pruning only to maintain its shape or size.

Tips for Success

To make the most of growing herbs at home, here are four tips to help you succeed:

• Watering: Most herbs do well in soil that’s only slightly moist, so it’s a good idea to water them when the top inch of soil feels dry when you touch it. Additionally, be sure to avoid overwatering, as introducing too much water can quickly lead to root rot.
• Fertilizing: When feeding your plants, try incorporating a diluted, balanced liquid fertilizer from time to time. Doing so can help herbs grown in containers receive the nutrition they need that isn’t always present in soil.
• Pruning: Use sharp pruning shears to snip the top leaves on your herbs. Doing this regularly encourages fuller, more bushy growth and keeps them from becoming thin and sparse.
• Harvesting: Harvest your herbs regularly to encourage new growth and ensure peak flavor.