5 Indoor Herbs to Spruce Up Your Home and Recipes this Fall and Winter
Temperatures are dropping in the Greater Chattanooga area and the colder part of Fall is just around the corner. As leaves change colors, sweaters come out of the closet, and there are fewer hours of sunlight, it’s a great time to plan new pastimes for winter months. Indoor gardening has become a favorite activity of many residents. Luckily, herbs are an easy way to begin and serve multiple purposes within the home. Indoor plants improve air quality and emotional health. Herbs also add an aromatic element to your space that can boost emotional health, and have many health benefits to boost immunity all winter long. The ones below are also versatile and perfect for a variety of cozy winter recipes that will invigorate the senses.
Oregano
Perhaps the ultimate cold-weather herb for your ideal-health arsenal, Oregano is known for its anti-bacterial and anti-viral qualities. Some studies indicate it can fight diabetes and cancer. The plant will grow to approximately 10 inches tall and is easy to use in sauces and soups.
Mint
An herb that many may either love or hate, that is exactly the effect it has in nature. Mint can actually attract good bugs and repel bad ones, so it can be great to use inside as well as outside. It is versatile in that it can be used for sweet and savory dishes. During cold winter months, it is helpful to have on hand as mint has been shown to boost energy and focus.
Rosemary
Common to see as the holidays approach as a small Christmas tree, Rosemary is a wonderfully fragrant shrub that’s been used years for a number of therapeutic applications including boosting mood, energy and focus. It certainly adds beauty and a pleasant scent to indoor spaces, and if transferred outdoors can thrive locally in Zone 7. It’s perfect to keep on hand all winter long as it adds a savory dimension to chicken, potatoes and bread.
Thyme
A perennial herb with a robust scent and flavor, Thyme is also rich in Vitamin C and anti-oxidants. It is perfectly paired with other ingredients that share its Mediterranean origins: olive oil, tomatoes, and garlic. Thyme can also be used to flavor nearly anything including but certainly not limited to poultry, pork and fish.
Do you plan to start an indoor herb garden? We would love to see photos of your progress! Please consider tagging us on social media @prattliving
