Fresh herbs are one of the biggest markups in the supermarket.
They wilt within days, cost a small fortune for a tiny bundle, and half the time you only need a sprig. The good news is that many herbs are ridiculously easy to grow on a sunny windowsill, and they’ll keep giving for months with just a little water and the occasional haircut. Whether you’re into cooking, tea-making, or just want your kitchen to smell slightly fancy, here are the herbs that earn their keep and save you serious cash in the long run.
1. Basil
Basil is one of the most expensive fresh herbs to buy, especially when you’re chucking a whole pack into a pasta sauce or batch of pesto. But it grows quickly from seed and thrives in a sunny windowsill, as long as you keep it warm and watered regularly.
Snip leaves often to encourage bushier growth and never let it flower if you want a longer season. It’s a must-have if you cook Italian-style dishes regularly, and growing your own can easily save you £2–3 per week in peak usage months.
2. Coriander
Coriander (or cilantro, if you’re across the pond) is frustrating to buy fresh. It’s either limp within two days or mysteriously slimy after a single use. But grown at home, it’s fast, aromatic, and great for repeated harvests if you sow little and often.
It prefers a slightly cooler windowsill with indirect sun, and can be harvested leaf by leaf or as whole stems. Perfect for curries, dips, and fresh toppings, it saves you those repeat supermarket trips for something that spoils in a blink.
3. Parsley
Parsley’s one of the most versatile herbs, and you’ll be surprised how often you use it when it’s right there in front of you. From soups to salads to garnish on everything, it adds freshness without overpowering your food.
Both curly and flat-leaf varieties grow well indoors with consistent watering and decent light. Supermarket bunches often cost more than they’re worth, but a homegrown plant will keep going for months and save you more than a few quid.
4. Mint
Mint might be hardy outdoors, but it’s surprisingly happy indoors too. It’s great in teas, mojitos, salads, and even roast lamb, and once it’s going, it’ll keep producing if you snip the tips often and water it generously. Supermarket mint usually comes in cramped little pots that don’t last long. Repotting into a bigger container on your windowsill not only saves you money, it gives you a fresh, fragrant supply every time you fancy a cuppa or a cocktail.
5. Chives
Chives are one of the easiest herbs to grow and one of the most useful for everyday cooking. Just a quick snip adds a mild oniony kick to scrambled eggs, potatoes, soups, or even salad dressings. They’re pretty low-maintenance, don’t need full sun all day, and they’re also perennial, meaning they’ll keep coming back even after being cut right down. Compared to overpriced chopped chives in plastic packets, they’re a no-brainer.
6. Thyme
Fresh thyme packs a punch and works beautifully in slow-cooked meals, roasted veg, or meat dishes. It’s expensive to buy, but a windowsill-grown plant will last for months and keep on giving, especially if you harvest regularly to keep it compact. It thrives in full sun and slightly drier soil, so it’s ideal if you’re the kind of person who forgets to water now and then. Even a small pot can easily replace dozens of little supermarket packs over the course of a year.
7. Rosemary
Rosemary is a woody herb that takes a little more time to establish, but once it does, it’s one of the most reliable perennials you can grow indoors. A sunny sill with good airflow is ideal, and a light hand with watering is key to keeping it healthy. Its robust flavour means you only need a little at a time, and it works wonders in roasts, stews, and even infused oils. Given how long a plant can last, you’ll easily save over the years on those overpriced, twiggy supermarket sprigs.
8. Oregano
Oregano is another Mediterranean herb that loves a bit of sun and warmth. It’s brilliant in tomato-based sauces, pizzas, and grilled meats, and fresh oregano tastes way better than the dried version most of us settle for. If you use it regularly, growing it yourself can save you a fair bit on those clingfilm-wrapped packs. It doesn’t need a ton of watering and actually thrives a bit on neglect, which is perfect if you’re a casual gardener.
9. Sage
Sage might not be an everyday herb for most people, but when you want it, you really want it, especially for autumn recipes, roasts, and anything involving browned butter. It’s slow-growing but worth the wait, and a mature plant can last for years with minimal effort. Keep it on a bright windowsill and go easy on watering. A little goes a long way in flavour terms, so even an occasional cook will notice the savings when they don’t have to buy a full bunch for one recipe.
10. Bay (bonus: it’s a tree!)
If you’ve got room for a slightly larger pot, bay is a brilliant long-term herb investment. You don’t need to harvest it often, just the odd leaf here and there for soups, stews, and stocks., but the plant lasts for years and grows steadily indoors with good light. Bay leaves keep their flavour beautifully even when dried, so you can stock up your spice drawer from your own supply. Considering how overpriced a tiny jar of dried bay leaves can be, growing your own really pays off.