In this post we will be going over the best herbs to grow indoors that are also completely safe if ingested by your cat or dog!
This list includes: Basil, rosemary, thyme, cilantro, lemon balm, dill, and sage.
Basil
Basil grows well in containers and both indoors and outdoors. Basil is completely safe if eaten by dogs or cats. There is some evidence that basil even has health benefits for pets if eaten in small amounts. These benefits include antioxidants such as lutein, zeaxanthin, beta-carotene, and beta-cryptoxanthin. Basil also contains anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial essential oils.
Rosemary
Rosemary is also safe for your pets, and another great herb to grow indoors. Rosemary prefers well draining soil (make sure to use a container that drains too) and plenty of sunlight near a window is best. It smells amazing as well!
Thyme
Thyme is one of the best herbs to grow indoors, is great for so many recipes, and is also perfectly safe for pets. Like rosemary, thyme prefers well draining soil and a sunny spot near a window. Like basil, thyme even has some health benefits if eaten by your pets! It can improve gastrointestinal issues, and is a great source of fiber and vitamins and minerals.
Cilantro
Yet another great herb to grow indoors in containers and that is good for your feline and canine friends is cilantro.
Lemon Balm
Lemon balm is safe for pets, does well indoors in pots, and, like rosemary, smells amazing! Lemon balm is actually an ingredient found in many pet shampoo products. It also has calming properties for humans and animals in the form of rosmarinic acid. Rosmarinic acid inhibits the GABA-T enzyme that breaks down GABA, which means more GABA in the brain. GABA (gamma-aminobutyric) is a mood regulator and prevents overexcitation of neurons. Thus, lemon balm reduces anxiety!
Dill
Dill is another herb that is safe for pets and can be grown indoors. Dill prefers a deeper pot and plenty of sunlight. Dill provides many vitamins and antioxidants that are important for animals and can even freshen the breath of dogs.
Sage
Sage is a great herb to grow indoors. It can handle slightly less light than most of these other herbs (although at least 6 hours of sunlight is still preferred) and is drought tolerant as well. Sage can lead to stomach upset if eaten in larger amounts over an extended period of time, so don’t give your pets unfettered access to chowing down on it. However, in moderation sage is perfectly safe when eaten by pets. Although safe when consumed, it’s not a great idea to burn sage around your furry friends. This can irritate their noses and lungs and damage their sense of smell (theirs are much more sensitive than ours), and smoke in any amount is not good for pets.
Hopefully this blog was helpful to you. If you enjoy gardening and want to learn more about the best time to plant your outdoor gardens, check out this post!