Hi all,

I really want to grow several types of herbs in my kitchen, and I have no windows where I can do this. I'm having some luck growing a small rosemary plant under a light, but everything else quickly gets leggy and tall, and drops all the bottom leaves. I really want to grow parsley, sage, cilantro and a few others year round in a very simple setup. Not looking to do hydroponics. Most of all, I'd really like advice on groupings. i.e., what would do well under the same light as my rosemary plant? I have space for two additional plants there. Oregano did well for a while, how about one more?

And what other groupings would do well together under a different light?

Groupings of three or four plants are ideal. I bought a great book on the subject, but although it talks in depth about lighting needs and the different types of grow lights available, it is geared more toward growing individual plants, each in its own setting. It just doesn't get into the idea of grouping three or four plants that have the same needs unders one light. That's what I need more than anything else.

Any advice?

I have grown several plants under lights
I would grow what you intend to use ?
I use a lot of fresh thyme so that would be my choice
I always have two nice size pots of rosemary and thyme together under lights.
thyme needs to be cut regularly so light can reach the lower leaves or it loosed leaves and gets leggy
I keep lights on the herbs 12 hours a day

I don't bother with sage because I only use it dried
I do grow basil , cilantro, and dill from seed in the winter for fresh use but don't really overwinter it , just grow and cut what I use then toss when it looks bad or is used up and start new seeds.

gardengus said: I have grown several plants under lights
I would grow what you intend to use ?
I use a lot of fresh thyme so that would be my choice
I always have two nice size pots of rosemary and thyme together under lights.
thyme needs to be cut regularly so light can reach the lower leaves or it loosed leaves and gets leggy
I keep lights on the herbs 12 hours a day

I don't bother with sage because I only use it dried
I do grow basil , cilantro, and dill from seed in the winter for fresh use but don't really overwinter it , just grow and cut what I use then toss when it looks bad or is used up and start new seeds.

Thanks Cinda, that's a great start! I will seed a new thyme plant to keep my rosemary company!

Can't wait for more advice!

Mine live outdoors all year- it is most likely to be summer that kills them. That or trying to keep them alive in the house. What I have found is it is more the roots types that have to be considered. Basil needs a long tap root room, but for me succumbs to powdery mildew if Spring planted, parsley forms a taproot like a carrot- a deep pot is recommended- thyme for me has short hairy roots so just needs good drainage. Dill, well, depends on the variety, the fern leaf types just need drainage, not too much depth, but Bouquet needs more depth to hold the tall stalk. I cannot grow sage, too much humidity, it melts. Rosemary is in ground or in a 33 gallon pot and stands 3' high. I have it outside on the north side of the house, but 40' away from the walls, in indirect lighting year round.

Thanks Kat, that's helpful information. I wish I could grow them outside, but the complex sprays for ticks, grubs and such, so all my plants get covered with that poison every so often. So yes, I could grow them outside, but couldn't eat them.

Hopes for a different environment one day!