Think you need a garden to grow herbs? Think again. If you’ve got a sunny windowsill and a few spare pots, you’re already halfway to creating your own mini herb paradise—right inside your kitchen. While most people know you can grow basil, mint, or parsley indoors, there’s a whole world of lesser-known herbs that are just as easy to grow, just as delicious, and just as useful.
These herbs aren’t just pretty—they’re fragrant, flavorful, and in many cases, surprisingly low-maintenance. Some of them smell like fresh lemon zest, others add a peppery kick to your cooking, and a few even double as natural air purifiers or mosquito repellents. Best of all, most of them thrive with just a bit of daily sunshine and occasional watering, making them perfect for small spaces, apartments, or anyone who wants to grow something green without getting their hands too dirty.
Whether you’re a home cook, a tea lover, or just someone who wants a kitchen that smells amazing, these 15 unexpected herbs are totally worth trying. From the exotic to the everyday, they’ll add color to your windowsill, flavor to your food, and a little bit of magic to your home—all without ever stepping outside.
Lovage
Often mistaken for its cousin celery, lovage boasts a robust flavor perfect for soups and stews. Its large, green leaves bask in the glow of a sunny window, drawing nutrients from the light. Did you know that its seeds are used as a spice in certain European cuisines?
Grow this perennial herb for its versatility and easy maintenance. Just imagine plucking fresh lovage leaves to enhance your next culinary masterpiece. Thriving indoors, it’s a wonderful addition to any home cook’s windowsill garden.
Set it near sunlight, and watch it flourish with minimal effort.
Sorrel
Tangy and vibrant, sorrel adds a citrusy note to salads and soups. Its arrow-shaped leaves are not just visually appealing but also a zesty addition to your cooking repertoire. This perennial plant thrives even in limited space, making it ideal for indoor cultivation.
Rich in vitamin C, sorrel brings both flavor and nutrition to your table. Place it on a sunny windowsill, and its rapid growth will surprise you. Just snip away to harvest; it keeps coming back for more.
A delightful herb that transforms any dish with its distinct taste.
Shiso
Shiso, or perilla, offers a unique blend of flavors reminiscent of mint and basil with a hint of anise. Its striking green and purple leaves not only add flair to dishes but also brighten up any windowsill.
This Japanese herb plays a key role in many Asian cuisines and can be harvested continuously. It’s a conversation starter, sharing stories of its culinary uses across cultures.
Thriving in sunlight, shiso invites creativity in your indoor garden, allowing you to explore exotic tastes right from home.
Culantro
Culantro might sound like cilantro, but its flavor is more intense and aromatic. Perfect for Caribbean and Asian dishes, it adds depth and complexity to meals. Its long, serrated leaves soak up the sun, flourishing indoors with ease.
This often-overlooked herb is a favorite in tropical cuisines and offers a distinct taste that elevates any dish. Growing culantro on your windowsill brings an exotic flair to everyday cooking.
Its resilience makes it a delightful, low-maintenance addition to your herb garden, rewarding you with rich flavors and lush greenery.
Vietnamese Coriander
Vietnamese coriander is a staple in Southeast Asian cooking, offering a peppery zest unlike any other. Its long, slender leaves are a feast for the eyes, thriving in the warmth of a sunny window.
Unlike common coriander, it prefers a humid environment, making indoor cultivation ideal. This perennial herb brings an unexpected twist to your culinary experiments, from soups to fresh rolls.
A little-known fact: it’s also used in traditional medicine, showcasing its versatility beyond the kitchen. Grow it for a garden that’s both beautiful and flavorful.
Chervil
Chervil, often called the gourmet’s parsley, adds a subtle anise flavor to dishes. Its feathery leaves are a visual treat, complementing both your windowsill and your recipes.
As part of the French fines herbes, chervil elevates the simplest meals with elegance. It grows steadily indoors, requiring just sunlight and a bit of care.
Cultivate this refined herb for a touch of sophistication in your kitchen, turning everyday meals into culinary delights with its graceful presence.
Borage
Borage offers a delightful surprise with its cucumber-like flavor and striking blue flowers. These star-shaped blooms not only beautify your indoor garden but also attract beneficial insects.
Known for its refreshing taste, borage is a versatile herb that’s often used in teas and salads. Its ability to thrive in sunlight makes it a perfect candidate for windowsill gardening.
Use its leaves and flowers to add a splash of color and flavor, enhancing your dishes while supporting a healthy ecosystem indoors.
Lemon Balm
Lemon balm entices with its fresh, citrusy aroma and flavor, often used in teas and desserts. Its lush green leaves thrive in the glow of a sunny window, offering a fragrant addition to your home.
This herb is favored for its calming properties, turning simple infusions into soothing remedies. Its rapid growth ensures a constant supply of leaves for culinary and medicinal use.
Growing lemon balm indoors brings tranquility and vitality, allowing you to enjoy its refreshing essence year-round.
Anise Hyssop
Anise hyssop captivates with its licorice-infused leaves and striking purple blossoms. This perennial herb enriches your space with both beauty and utility, making it an enticing choice for windowsill gardens.
Used in teas and culinary dishes, its unique flavor profile stands out, offering a sweet twist to traditional recipes.
The plant’s resilience and ability to flourish in sunlight make it an excellent indoor companion. Enjoy the visual and sensory delight it brings as you harvest its fragrant bounty.
Salad Burnet
With a hint of cucumber taste, salad burnet enlivens salads and drinks with its refreshing flavor. Its delicate, serrated leaves add both texture and taste, proving that good things come in small packages.
This hardy perennial thrives on a sunny windowsill, requiring minimal care while providing maximum enjoyment.
Frequently used in herbal vinegar or fresh salads, it’s a versatile herb that enhances everyday meals. Cultivate salad burnet to experience a touch of garden freshness right in your kitchen.
Hyssop
A symbol of ancient purification, hyssop brings history and flavor to your indoor garden. Its aromatic leaves and vibrant purple flowers are a treat for both the eyes and palate.
This herb is cherished for its medicinal properties and culinary uses, often found in liqueurs and teas. Thriving on a sun-drenched windowsill, hyssop provides a touch of elegance and tradition.
Grow it for its beauty and utility, enhancing your home with a plant steeped in rich cultural heritage.
Marjoram
Marjoram, a close relative of oregano, offers a milder, sweeter alternative with its aromatic leaves. It’s a staple in Mediterranean cooking, adding warmth and depth to various dishes.
Easy to grow on a sunny windowsill, marjoram fills your home with a delightful fragrance. Its soft, bushy appearance makes it an attractive addition to any indoor garden.
Whether infused in oils or sprinkled in sauces, marjoram’s versatile nature will inspire your culinary creations with its comforting aroma.
Chicory
Chicory surprises with its coffee-like roots and leafy greens used in salads. This versatile plant offers a bitter edge to dishes, making it a favorite in various cuisines.
Easily grown indoors, chicory thrives in sunlight, providing both beauty and utility. It’s a conversation starter, with its historical use as a coffee substitute during times of scarcity.
Add chicory to your herb collection for a blend of taste and tradition, enriching your windowsill with its lush foliage.
Summer Savory
Summer savory, known for its peppery kick, elevates meats and vegetables with its robust flavor. Its slender green leaves are as appealing to the eyes as they are to the taste buds.
This annual herb flourishes on a sunny windowsill, requiring little more than regular watering and sunlight. It’s a staple in many spice blends, showcasing its adaptability and charm.
Grow summer savory for a touch of warmth in your cooking, transforming ordinary meals into memorable culinary experiences.