There’s something magical about cooking with fresh herbs. A touch of rosemary here, a hint of oregano there—suddenly bland dishes are transformed into aromatic, gourmet treats. Herbs even make it easier to put on a show for guests. Trim a sprig off the potted mint plant accenting your bar cart, and toss it in their cocktail. Poof! You’re an upscale mixologist.
There are so many ways that potted herbs in your kitchen can add life to your dishes and interior design. By learning how to harvest and prepare your homegrown herbs, you’ll always have a way to kick things up a notch in the kitchen. Let’s cover some of the herbs that grow great indoors and how to harvest them for use.

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Herb Harvest Tools:
Pruning Shears
Sharp Pruning Shears are essential. These ensure that stems are sliced, rather than torn, as will happen with dull shears. A clean slice will promote new growth on the stem so your plant will continue to produce.
Harvest Dish
While some recipes call for a sprig of herbs, others call for a dash of herb leaves. Small leaves on herbs like oregano can make harvesting difficult. Our Pull and Pinch Herb Harvesting Dish is designed with holes of varying sizes to accommodate various herbs. Run the stem through whichever hole is the best fit. The hole will strip the leaves from the stem and allow them to collect in the bowl.
Growing Rosemary
How to Harvest:
How to Dry:
Freeze or Store Fresh:
If you want to use your rosemary sprigs in the future, you can preserve them in the freezer. Set them on a baking sheet in the freezer for two hours. Once they’re frozen, store them in an airtight bag in the freezer until ready for use. To use in the next week or two, store the sprigs in the fridge inside an airtight bag lined with a damp paper towel.
Uses for Rosemary:
- Infused oils and vinegars
- Compound butters
- Meats and hearty fish dishes
- Potatoes and roasted vegetables
- Braises and roasts
- Stews
- Breads and savory baked goods
- Teas, cocktails, and simple syrups
- Bath salts and aromatherapy

Design tip: The pine needle-like leaves and long, woody stems of rosemary make it a great addition to centerpiece bouquets. You can even place the entire potted plant in your tablescape for added height dimension.
Growing Mint
Another prolific grower that requires little effort, mint is a great option for plants in the kitchen or bar area. This plant’s scent is found in all kinds of products because of its fresh zest. That’s what makes mint a signature feature in cocktails like the mint julep and mojito. It’s even a fun twist in summer salads and savory dishes. Simply set your mint plant in a space where it can get plenty of light, water sparingly, and you’ll always have fragrant leaves to embellish your recipes with.
Tip: Learn how to grow mint in our Mint Plant Care blog.
How to Harvest:
How to Dry:
Freeze or Store Fresh:
Uses for Mint:
- Cocktails and simple syrups
- Flavored ice cubes
- Salads
- Teas
- Bath salts, potpourri, and aromatherapy
Check out the drool-worthy recipes in our blog on mint to craft mint cocktails, simple syrup, and more!

Design tip: If there’s enough light in your bar area, set your potted mint plant in your cocktail station to add a fun and functional element.
Growing Oregano
How to Harvest:
How To Dry:
Freeze or Store Fresh:
Uses for Oregano:
- Infused oils and vinegars
- Meats and hearty fish dishes
- Potatoes and roasted vegetables
- Braises and roasts
- Stews
- Breads and savory baked goods
- Sauces

Design tip: While oregano doesn’t like to be overwatered, it does appreciate the occasional misting. Setting your oregano near the kitchen sink will provide it some mist while bringing fresh fragrance and lively greenery to your space.
Learn More About Herbs
Raise the bar for herbs with these recipes and plant-care tips.

There are tons of fun, creative ways to give someone homegrown joy.

This seemingly simple dish is layered with sweet-and-savory notes, gorgeous color, and tons of texture.

A bright and earthy combo you can spoon onto all kinds of dishes, from NYC nutritionist Marissa Lippert.

Everything you need to know to care for this sun-loving potted herb.