How to Plant Chive Seeds

How to Plant Herbs Indoors

Fill your jar or pot with a fresh indoor soil mix, then lightly water to moisten the compost. Sow your herb seeds about 0.5 cm (¼ inch) deep and cover with a fine layer of compost. Water gently and keep the container in a warm environment between 15–20°C to support fast germination.

Tip: Place a reusable, sealable bag loosely over the jar to create a mini greenhouse effect. This helps maintain moisture and encourages sprouting. Once seedlings appear, remove the cover to allow proper airflow.

Where to Place Your Indoor Herb Garden

Position your indoor herbs in a warm, bright window with plenty of natural light. Avoid cold or drafty windows, especially those that drop in temperature at night. Rotate your pots regularly to prevent plants from leaning toward the light.

If using grow lights, set them on a 14-hour daily timer. Keep the lights a few inches above the seedlings and raise them as plants grow.

  • Leggy plants? Move the lights closer.

  • White spots on leaves? The lights are too close.

Thin out overcrowded seedlings with clean scissors to encourage healthy growth.

Transplanting outdoors? Gradually harden off plants in a cold frame. Plant them outside 20 cm (8 inches) apart once all frost risk has passed. Seeds sown directly outdoors should be thinned to 15–20 cm (6–8 inches) apart.

When to Water Indoor Herbs

Water your indoor herb garden once per day to keep soil evenly moist—but never soggy. If your plants start to crowd the pot, thin them out with scissors to maintain airflow and promote stronger growth.

How to Harvest Indoor Herbs (Chives Example)

You can harvest chives all year round once they reach about 15 cm (6 inches) tall. Snip a few leaves from each plant rather than cutting one clump heavily—this encourages quick regrowth.

Chives grow well on a windowsill throughout the year. In autumn, you can lift a small outdoor clump, pot it up, and bring it indoors for fresh herbs during the winter months.

Fun fact: Chives contain more Vitamin A than any other member of the allium family, along with Vitamin C and K—making them a nutritious addition to salads, soups, and everyday cooking.