Basil, mint, chives, parsley and cilantro are the most reliable herbs for Kratky jars on a windowsill. They stay compact, grow well in a single jar and can be harvested a little at a time.
Basil
Basil likes warmth and plenty of light, so give it your sunniest window. Pinch off the top pair of leaves regularly to keep it bushy, and remove flower buds when they appear.
Mint
Mint grows fast and copes with a little less light than basil. Its roots fill a jar quickly, so a wide-mouth jar is a better choice than a narrow one.
Chives
Chives are slow to start but very forgiving. Snip them a few centimeters above the base and they grow back.
Parsley
Parsley is slow to germinate, so many people start with a small plant or a well-established seedling. Once going, it produces for a long time if you pick the outer stems.
Cilantro
Cilantro prefers cooler conditions and tends to bolt (flower) in heat. A bright but not hot window suits it best. Sow a new jar every few weeks for a steady supply.
Herbs to Skip on a Sill
Woody herbs such as rosemary and sage grow slowly and prefer drier roots. They can be grown hydroponically, but they’re not the easy windowsill wins the herbs above are.
Related guide: growing Kratky on a kitchen windowsill.
