Guide
Indoor Herb Garden with Grow Lights: US Apartment Setup
By the Plantshop.com Editorial Team · Updated · How we research · Report an error
Most culinary herbs need stronger light than a typical north-facing kitchen window. A simple shelf plus LED bars can keep basil, parsley and chives productive through winter. For rosemary in a sunny window, see our rosemary care guide rather than duplicating it here.
Basic apartment setup
- A wire or wood shelf near an outlet (not above a stove’s grease plume).
- One LED bar per shelf, 6-12 in above the herbs, on a timer for 12-14 hours.
- Pots with drainage holes and a tray; herbs hate wet feet.
- Seed packets or starter plants labeled for containers.
Herb shelf grow lights Herb pots and trays Herb seeds
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Water, harvest, winter
Check soil every few days under lights; growth (and water use) is faster than in a dim window. Harvest often to keep plants bushy. Move frost-tender pots away from icy glass at night.
Next: basil in water vs soil · countertop hydroponic cost · grow light distances.