Windowsill Kitchen Kit
Fresh herbs, one windowsill away.
You don’t need a garden. You need a window that gets 4 hours of sun. That’s it. Five herbs that survive kitchen life. We tell you when to water, when to harvest, and when to stop panicking because the cilantro looks sad.
What’s Included
| Herb | Count | Sprout Days | Harvest Days |
|---|---|---|---|
| Genovese Basil | 100 | 5-10 | 60 |
| Cilantro | 80 | 7-10 | 50 |
| Parsley | 100 | 14-21 | 70 |
| Chives | 100 | 10-14 | 60 |
| Dill | 80 | 7-10 | 45 |
Also included:
- Planting card with timeline
- Access to 290+ growing guides
- Automated email reminders
- 30-day germination guarantee
The 4 Promises
🌱 90% germination rate · 📖 Complete growing guides · 🔁 30-day reshipment · 📬 Automated reminders
Who It’s For
- You cook at home at least 3 times a week
- You have a kitchen window
- You’ve bought fresh herbs and watched them die in the fridge
- You want herbs year-round
Who It’s Not For
- You have no natural light in your kitchen (try a grow light)
- You want herbs in 2 weeks (they take 45-70 days)
- You want 1-on-1 growing support (we don’t offer that)
Your 45 Days
| Day | Stage | What Happens |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Plant | Sow all 5 herbs |
| 5-10 | Sprout | Basil, cilantro, dill appear |
| 10-14 | Sprout | Chives appear |
| 14-21 | Sprout | Parsley appears (slowest) |
| 21 | Thin | Thin to 6-8 inches |
| 45 | Harvest | Basil, cilantro, dill ready |
| 60+ | Harvest | Chives, parsley ready |
If It Fails
Seeds didn’t sprout? Reply with a photo. We reship once per variety. Herbs dying? Check our troubleshooting library: Why Your Herbs Died in the Kitchen.
What Growers Say
“I haven’t bought herbs in 2 weeks. The basil is producing like crazy.” — 小林, Shanghai
“The cilantro died twice. The basil thrived. The guide told me exactly why.” — Tom, Portland
Common Questions
What if my window faces north? Grow mint and parsley. Or add a grow light.
How often do I water? When the top inch is dry. Not on a schedule.
Do I need a grow light? If your window gets less than 4 hours, yes.
Which herb is easiest? Chives and mint.
Which is hardest? Cilantro (bolts fast indoors).
Can I grow year-round? Yes, with 4-6 hours of light.
Related Reading
- How to Start a Kitchen Herb Garden
- How to Grow Basil Indoors
- Why Your Herbs Died in the Kitchen
- Windowsill Kitchen Kit FAQ
- 5 Best Herbs for a Kitchen Window
Learn as you grow
Everything behind this kit.
What you'll grow
- Chives: The Herb That Comes Back Every YearChives are a perennial herb that produces for years. Cut them to 2 inches and they regrow. The easiest herb for beginners.
- Cilantro: Why It Bolts and How to Slow ItCilantro is a cool-season herb that bolts (goes to seed) above 75°F. Plant in spring or fall, and succession-plant every 2-3 weeks.
- Holy Basil (Tulsi): The Sacred Herb for TeaHoly basil, or tulsi, is a clove-peppery herb used in tea and Ayurvedic medicine. It's more cold-sensitive than other basils but drought-tolerant.
- Dill: Beautiful, Useful, and InvasiveDill is an annual herb used for pickling, fish, and salads. It self-seeds aggressively, so plant it where you want it to spread.
- Genovese Basil: Why It Dies and How to Keep It AliveGenovese basil is the classic Italian basil for pesto. It's easy to grow but easy to kill — usually from cold, overwatering, or not pruning.
- Mint: The Herb That Takes Over (And How to Control It)Mint is a vigorous perennial that spreads by runners. Always plant in containers — in the ground, it takes over. Once contained, it's the easiest herb.
- Parsley: The Slowest Seed You'll Ever GrowParsley takes 14-21 days to germinate — the slowest common herb. Once established, it produces for 2 years. Soak seeds before planting.
- Thai Basil: The Licorice-Flavored Basil for Asian CookingThai basil has a licorice-anise flavor and purple stems. It's essential for Thai, Vietnamese, and Indian cooking. Grows like Genovese but tolerates heat better.
- Thyme: The Drought-Tolerant Perennial HerbThyme is a low-growing perennial herb that thrives in dry, poor soil. It's one of the easiest herbs to grow and comes back every year.
Growing guides for this kit
- How to Grow Food in an ApartmentApartment gardening works if you have 4-6 hours of light (or a grow light), containers, and the right varieties. Start with herbs and lettuce.
- How to Deal with Aphids Without ChemicalsControl aphids without chemicals using water spray, soapy water, neem oil, ladybugs, hand removal, or companion planting.
- Bottom Watering vs Top Watering: When to Use EachBottom watering keeps leaves dry and encourages deep roots. Top watering washes salt buildup and mimics rain.
- Why Your Cilantro Bolted in 3 WeeksCilantro bolts above 75°F. If yours bolted in 3 weeks, it was too hot. Plant in cool weather, provide afternoon shade, and succession plant.
- Why Your Basil Leaves Are Turning YellowYellow basil leaves come from overwatering, cold, nutrient deficiency, or downy mildew. Check soil moisture and temperature first.
- Indoor Growing with No Natural LightWith no natural light, you need a grow light. A $30 LED shop light, 2-4 inches above plants, 14-16 hours per day, grows most herbs and greens.
- How to Use Grow Lights Without Burning PlantsGrow lights burn plants when too close or too intense. Keep LED lights 2-4 inches above leaves, run 14-16 hours daily, and do the hand test.
- Why Your Herbs Died in the KitchenKitchen herbs die from overwatering, not enough light, or cold. Basil is the most common casualty. Water less, light more, keep warm.
- How Often to Water Seedlings (Not a Schedule)Water seedlings when the top inch of soil is dry. Not on a schedule. The finger test is the only reliable method.
- How to Grow Basil Indoors (and Keep It Alive)Basil grows indoors with 6+ hours of light and temperatures above 60°F. It's ready to harvest in 50-60 days. The main killers are cold and overwatering.
- How to Grow Chives in a PotChives grow well in 8-inch pots and come back every year. Cut them to 2 inches and they regrow in 2 weeks. Almost impossible to kill.
- How to Grow Cilantro Without It BoltingCilantro bolts above 75°F. To slow it: plant in cool weather, provide afternoon shade, keep soil moist, and succession-plant every 2-3 weeks.
- How to Grow Dill Without It Taking OverDill self-seeds aggressively and grows 3 feet tall. Plant where you want it to spread, or grow dwarf varieties in containers.
- How to Grow Parsley from Seed (It's Slow)Parsley takes 14-21 days to germinate. Soak seeds 24 hours before planting, keep soil consistently moist, and harvest outer stems starting at 70-90 days.
- How to Start a Kitchen Herb GardenA kitchen herb garden needs 4-6 hours of light, 6-8 inch pots, and the right herbs. Basil, parsley, chives, and mint are the most forgiving.
- What to Grow on a North-Facing BalconyNorth-facing balconies get indirect light only. Grow leafy greens and herbs. Fruiting plants like tomatoes need a grow light.
- Why Your Mint Took Over EverythingMint spreads by underground runners and takes over gardens. The only fix is growing it in containers.
- How to Prune Basil for More LeavesPrune basil above a leaf node to trigger two new stems. Pinch flower buds to keep leaves coming.
- Why Your Seedlings Have Purple LeavesPurple seedling leaves usually mean cold stress or phosphorus deficiency. Move to 65-70°F and the purple fades in 1-2 weeks.
- How Deep to Plant Every Seed (Chart)The rule is 2-3 times the seed's diameter. Lettuce goes on the surface. Beans go 1 inch deep.
- Why Your Soil Has White MoldWhite mold on soil is usually harmless saprophytic fungus. It signals wet soil and poor airflow.
- Windowsill Gardening: What Actually WorksWindowsill gardening works for herbs, lettuce, and radishes. It doesn't work for tomatoes or peppers without a grow light. South windows are best.
- Winter Gardening IndoorsWinter indoor gardening needs grow lights and the right varieties. Herbs, lettuce, and microgreens work best. Expect slower growth.
- Why Your Plants Have Yellow Leaves (Diagnostic Chart)Yellow leaves have 6 causes. Old leaves yellowing = nitrogen. New leaves = iron. Wet soil = overwatering.