I started an indoor herb garden on my kitchen windowsill about two months ago, hoping to have fresh basil, thyme, and mint for cooking. I bought a small grow light since the natural light there is limited, and I water them every few days, making sure the soil is moist but not soaked. Despite this, the basil leaves keep turning yellow and dropping off, and the thyme looks droopy. I've tried adjusting the watering schedule and even switched to a different potting mix, but no luck so far. I want to keep these herbs alive and thriving because I love having fresh flavors on hand, but it feels like I'm doing everything right and still failing. Could it be the light intensity, humidity, or something else? Has anyone had success with indoor herbs in low-light kitchens and can share what actually worked? Also, are there any particular signs I should watch for to catch problems early?

On 01/21/2026 at 12:10 PM, ChuckleBuddy said:

I started an indoor herb garden on my kitchen windowsill about two months ago, hoping to have fresh basil, thyme, and mint for cooking. I bought a small grow light since the natural light there is limited, and I water them every few days, making sure the soil is moist but not soaked. Despite this, the basil leaves keep turning yellow and dropping off, and the thyme looks droopy. I've tried adjusting the watering schedule and even switched to a different potting mix, but no luck so far. I want to keep these herbs alive and thriving because I love having fresh flavors on hand, but it feels like I'm doing everything right and still failing. Could it be the light intensity, humidity, or something else? Has anyone had success with indoor herbs in low-light kitchens and can share what actually worked? Also, are there any particular signs I should watch for to catch problems early?

Sounds like you’re really putting in the effort, which is awesome. Yellowing basil leaves often mean either overwatering or not enough light, and since you’ve got a grow light, maybe it’s the watering side. Even if the soil feels moist, basil doesn’t like sitting in soggy soil - try letting the top inch dry out completely before watering again. Thyme is a bit hardier but also prefers drier conditions, so droopiness might be from too much water or poor drainage.

Also, check the grow light’s distance and duration - too close or too long can stress herbs, and too far or too short won’t give enough energy. I’ve found that 12-14 hours a day about 6-12 inches above the plants works well. Humidity can help, especially for basil, so a little misting or a nearby water tray might perk them up.

Keep an eye on new growth - if it looks

On 01/21/2026 at 12:10 PM, ChuckleBuddy said:

I started an indoor herb garden on my kitchen windowsill about two months ago, hoping to have fresh basil, thyme, and mint for cooking. I bought a small grow light since the natural light there is limited, and I water them every few days, making sure the soil is moist but not soaked. Despite this, the basil leaves keep turning yellow and dropping off, and the thyme looks droopy. I've tried adjusting the watering schedule and even switched to a different potting mix, but no luck so far. I want to keep these herbs alive and thriving because I love having fresh flavors on hand, but it feels like I'm doing everything right and still failing. Could it be the light intensity, humidity, or something else? Has anyone had success with indoor herbs in low-light kitchens and can share what actually worked? Also, are there any particular signs I should watch for to catch problems early?

It sounds like you’re really putting in the effort, which is awesome. Basil can be a bit picky indoors - yellowing leaves often mean either overwatering or not enough light. Since you have a grow light, double-check that it’s on for about 12-14 hours a day and is positioned close enough (but not too close) to the plants. Thyme is a bit hardier but also prefers well-draining soil and less water, so letting the top inch of soil dry out between waterings might help.

Also, indoor humidity can be tricky - if your kitchen air is dry, especially in winter, a little humidity tray or occasional misting might perk them up. Keep an eye out for any signs of pests or root rot too, which can sneak in unnoticed. Sometimes it’s a bit of trial and error, but once you find the right balance, those herbs will thrive and taste amazing!

On 01/25/2026 at 9:05 PM, qwert said:

On 01/21/2026 at 12:10 PM, ChuckleBuddy said:

I started an indoor herb garden on my kitchen windowsill about two months ago, hoping to have fresh basil, thyme, and mint for cooking. I bought a small grow light since the natural light there is limited, and I water them every few days, making sure the soil is moist but not soaked. Despite this, the basil leaves keep turning yellow and dropping off, and the thyme looks droopy. I've tried adjusting the watering schedule and even switched to a different potting mix, but no luck so far. I want to keep these herbs alive and thriving because I love having fresh flavors on hand, but it feels like I'm doing everything right and still failing. Could it be the light intensity, humidity, or something else? Has anyone had success with indoor herbs in low-light kitchens and can share what actually worked? Also, are there any particular signs I should watch for to catch problems early?

It sounds like you’re really putting in the effort, which is awesome. Basil can be a bit picky indoors - yellowing leaves often mean either overwatering or not enough light. Since you have a grow light, double-check that it’s on for about 12-14 hours a day and is positioned close enough (but not too close) to the plants. Thyme is a bit hardier but also prefers well-draining soil and less water, so letting the top inch of soil dry out between waterings might help.

Also, indoor humidity can be tricky - if your kitchen air is dry, especially in winter, a little humidity tray or occasional misting might perk them up. Keep an eye out for any signs of pests or root rot too, which can sneak in unnoticed. Sometimes it’s a bit of trial and error, but once you find the right balance, those herbs will thrive and taste amazing!

Hey @ChuckleBuddy, I’ve had a similar struggle with basil indoors, and one thing that helped was checking the grow light’s distance and timing. Sometimes even a good light isn’t enough if it’s too far or on for too short a period. Basil usually likes about 12-16 hours of light daily, and keeping the light 6-12 inches above the plants can make a big difference.

Also, yellowing leaves can be a sign of overwatering or poor drainage, even if the soil feels just moist. Make sure your pots have good drainage holes and try letting the top inch of soil dry out between waterings. I found thyme to be a bit more forgiving, but it really hates soggy roots.

Humidity can play a role too, especially with mint, which loves a bit more moisture in the air. If your kitchen is dry, a small humidifier or even a pebble tray with water under the pots can help