10 Best Kitchen Windowsill Plants: Fresh Herbs & Easy Growing

7. Chives – The Never-Ending Herb Supply

Let me tell you about my love affair with chives, the herb that keeps on giving! I discovered these perennial powerhouses years ago, and they’ve been a constant in my windowsill garden ever since. What started as a small clump has turned into a perpetual supply of fresh flavor that’s transformed my cooking.

The Magic of Indoor Chives

Growing chives indoors has some serious perks. First off, they’re practically indestructible (and I’ve really put that to the test!). These hardy herbs are actually members of the onion family, and they pack a similar nutritional punch. What really blew my mind was discovering that both the leaves and flowers are edible!

Benefits I’ve discovered:

Year-round fresh harvests
Air-purifying properties
Incredibly low maintenance
Natural pest deterrent
Both garlic chives and regular chives available

Planting and Maintaining Your Chive Garden

Here’s what I’ve learned about setting up chives for success:

Start with a pot that’s at least 6 inches deep with good drainage. I made the mistake of using a shallow container at first, and let me tell you – chives need room for their bulbs to multiply! Use a rich, well-draining potting mix, and plant your chives about 4-5 inches apart.

My game-changing maintenance tip: Unlike many herbs, chives actually prefer slightly moist soil. I water mine when the top inch feels dry, which is usually every 4-5 days. They’re not fussy about humidity either, which makes them perfect for kitchen windows!

The Art of Harvesting Chives

This is where things get really exciting! The secret to maintaining a constant supply of fresh chives is in the harvesting technique. Here’s what works best:

Cut leaves about 2 inches from the base
Always use clean, sharp scissors
Take leaves from the outside of the clump
Never harvest more than 1/3 of the plant at once

Here’s something cool I discovered: If you cut your chives regularly, they’ll actually grow back stronger! It’s like giving them a little encouragement to keep producing.

Creative Ways to Use Fresh Chives

Having fresh chives at arm’s reach has totally upped my cooking game. Beyond the obvious baked potato topping, here are some of my favorite ways to use them:

Sprinkle on scrambled eggs right before serving
Mix into homemade butter (absolutely game-changing)
Add to salad dressings for an oniony kick
Garnish soups and stir-fries
Chop into cream cheese for an instant flavor boost

Pro tip: Save the beautiful purple chive flowers to add color to summer salads. They taste amazing and look incredibly fancy!

Ready to meet another kitchen windowsill superstar? Up next is #6, the mighty sweet basil – the king of herbs! Click the next button below to discover my foolproof method for growing the most aromatic, bushy basil plants you’ve ever seen, plus my secret tip for preventing that dreaded basil bolt!

Remember: While chives are incredibly forgiving, they do best when divided every couple of years. When your clump starts looking crowded, simply split it into multiple plants – free herbs for you or your friends!