9 Edible Plants That are Easy to Grow at Home

You may have heard of organic or farmer’s market where they sell nutritious and healthy varieties of plants. Edible plants not only provide clean air but also add a delicious touch to your food.

Growing edible plants at home can have some houseplant problems but many benefits without much work. These plants look pretty, taste delicious, and provide many health benefits.

Why Grow Edible Plants?

You can grow a variety of plants indoors and though they all provide many benefits, edible plants always have a little edge over most of them.

All plants provide clean air, help control stress, and many are low-maintenance but edible plants can be used in your food and increase its nutritional value.

Though they may look difficult to grow, edible plants can be homegrown with ease and comfort. So in this article, we bring the 10 most beneficial and easy-to-grow edible plants at home –

Tomatoes

Tomatoes are one of the most used edible plants. They are used in many dishes and food items like – salads, sandwiches, ketchup, and many more possibilities.

They are easy to grow and don’t need a big backyard to flourish, they can be grown in a big pot. You just need to make sure of a couple of things while growing tomatoes –

• Make sure to use a big pot (at least 6 inches wide).
• Water them on a regular schedule.
• Use a potting mix and plant the seeds ¼ inches deep.
• Provide them with a good amount of sunlight (10 to 12 hours should be enough).

Once you’ve done all this you’ll get a delicious batch of red and firm tomatoes ready to be harvested.

Mint

Mint is very adaptive and therefore is considered to be the easiest and fast-growing perennial herb. The mint has a variety of edible plants that are used to add flavor to many drinks and food items.

This plant also has many health benefits, it is used to cure indigestion, cold flu, and blood pressure. It creates a strong aroma and is easy to grow if you just keep a few things in check –

• Use a pot with at least 8 to 12 inches of diameter.
• Mint thrives in moist conditions and needs to be watered adequately every day.
• They loves partial shade so a little amount of indirect sunlight is enough.

You can harvest mint when its twigs are at least 8 inches long. Make sure to trim it regularly to prevent its roots from overgrowing.

Lettuce

Edible plants like lettuce have many variants with different names such as – icebergs, romaine, butterhead, and many more. So firstly, you need to select the type you want to grow.

Lettuce is used in salads and sandwiches, and to add flavor to many cooked food items. They don’t need much plant care and can be harvested in a month after sowing.

• Make sure to evenly space out the seeds while sowing.
• Water thoroughly and keep the soil moist for the initial days.
• Use a tray or a big pot of about 6 to 12 inches in diameter.
• They require a lukewarm temperature to grow.

They should be harvested in the morning when the leaves are fresh. The best part about lettuce is that you can harvest the outer leaves and the inner leaves will continue to grow.

Basil

This is a variety of edible plants that thrives in tropical climatic conditions. Basil leaves are sweet and aromatic and have many uses.

The leaves are used in soups, sandwiches, salad dressings, ice creams, etc. They are also used to treat worm infections and help control blood sugar levels.

• Use a big pot to provide enough room for air to circulate.
• This plant requires moist soil and should be watered daily.
• Provide 6 to 8 hours of sunlight.

Basil can be harvested in about 50 to 60 days after sowing or when the leaves appear. Clip its leaves regularly to ensure full growth.

Peppers

Bell peppers can spice your food up as edible plants with a wide variety of species. Bell peppers are available in many types from large and hot to sweet and small. They also come in different bright and eye-catching colors like yellow, green, red, and even purple.

Though they do require initial care, bell peppers are overall easy to grow. They are used in many food items as raw items or cooked (roasting, grilling, baking, sauteing).

• They prefer warm temperatures and should be grown in summer.
• Bell peppers take up space so use a pot size of at least 12 inches in diameter.
• They need regular and deep watering about 1 to 2 inches per week.

Bell peppers can be harvested when the fruit is firm and 3 to 4 inches grown.

Lemons

This is an evergreen species of edible plant. Lemons have a strong scent and are a beautiful addition to your home and garden.

These are used in many drinks, beverages, and salads. They are high in vitamin C and are also used in the production of many stain-removal products.

• Lemon trees flourish in warm temperatures.
• They require 8 to 12 hours of sunlight daily.
• Water them every alternate day initially. Once grown water them twice a week and then once a week and so.

The fruiting period starts 4 to 6 months after flowering and lasts for about 3 months. You can harvest fruits when they turn from green to bright yellow and are about 2 to 3 inches wide.

Microgreens

Microgreens are seedlings of various edible plants, mostly vegetables. They are very easy to grow and require less care. Microgreens are full of many nutrients.

They can be used as salad dressings, smoothies, and sandwiches, and can be sprinkled over any dish.

• Microgreens need a pot that is 3 inches deep and as wide as possible.
• The seeds should be grown on the soil surface and covered with a little soil mix to protect them from the winds.
• They require 4 hours of daily sunlight.
• Water them regularly and don’t let the soil dry out. You might have to water them daily depending on your soil mixtures.

Seeds of these edible plants germinate in 2 to 3 days under the right conditions and are ready to be harvested when reach 1 to 2 inches in height.

Kale

Out of all the edible plants, Kale is the best in terms of health. It is sometimes also referred to as the face of all healthy vegetables because of its numerous benefits. Kale belongs to the cabbage family and is a fast-growing plant.

Kale is said to prevent diseases like cancer, diabetes, and many heart disease. It is used in salads, sandwiches, smoothies, soups, and to make sauces like pesto. They are easy to grow and care for.

• They love partial sunlight and a cool temperature.
• Use a pot that is 8 inches wide and deep with good drainage system.
• Use fertile soil with a good amount of compost for maximum yield.

Water regularly and Kale should be ready to harvest within 30 to 60 days. Remove any yellow leaves to prevent fungus or other diseases.

Rosemary

Another one of the edible plants is Rosemary. It is a small evergreen plant that belongs to the mint family. It is used to add different flavors to food, it is also used for fragrance in many soaps and cosmetic items.

• A terracotta pot with a good drainage system and a size of 12 by 12 inches is ideal for Rosemary.
• Water this plant regularly and lightly. Let the soil dry out before watering again.
• Rosemary requires 6 to 8 hours of sunlight daily. Place the plant inside during winter to protect it from frost.

You can harvest Rosemary after the new growth has sprouted, usually 6 weeks after planting.

Conclusion