1. If you’re short on counter space, plant your herbs in hanging pots.

Tiny space? Try hanging your herb garden in front of your kitchen window or on an adjacent wall.

2. Think outside the pot.

No need to go buy planters. Just start your garden in vessels you already have such as mason jars, leftover tea tins, or a cup and saucer.

3. Install a window box.

Who says a window box has to go on the outside? Install a planter inside your window or simply set it on the windowsill.

4. Put your plants in the right spot.

Conrad Richter, president of Richters Herbs, a Toronto-area nursery and grower that specializes in herbs, says to choose a sunny window that gets at least four hours of sunlight per day—south-facing is ideal, though an east- or west-facing one will also work.

5. Grow for good looks as well as taste.

When you plant herbs of varying colors and textures, the garden becomes as decorative as it is functional. To achieve that perfect combination of beauty and flavor, Richter likes purple-leaf Rosie basil, broadleaf thyme, Tarragold tarragon, Corsican mint, purple sage, and scented geraniums.

6. Choose compact varieties when possible.

When you’re growing indoors, go for herbs that look tidy in a kitchen window and won’t hog too much space. Richter’s picks: Spicy Globe and Globette basil, Kaliteri oregano, Fernleaf dill, Blue Boy rosemary, and English mint. Hoping to grow parsley? Plain and Italian are best for indoors; the curled varieties grow too slowly.

7. But still give your indoor plants room to thrive.

Herbs can be grown either in individual pots or in a shared container—it depends largely on your space and aesthetic preference. In a shared container, be sure to check the growing habit of each herb and give it the space it needs. Mint and other fast-growing, spreading varieties need individual pots so they don’t crowd out other herbs; However you position your plants, just make sure there’s room for air circulation around them.