For northern gardeners, growing tropical spices is a labor of love… but realistically, the less labor, the more we love it. There are some tropical and subtropical spices that are definitely NOT easy to grow in a windowsill environment (I’m looking at you, cinnamon), but fortunately, there’s a handful that almost anyone can successfully pull off, even if you’re growing these spices in containers on a windowsill while the weather outside is frightful.

For this post, I’ve skipped past some of the more complicated windowsill spices (vanilla is one of my favorites, but I’m not super optimistic about every opening my pantry door to see it overflowing with homegrown vanilla pods), and I’ve instead focused on the spices that I have personally grown in containers on my own windowsill and have found to be super easy… even in northern zones. Behold: My top-three list of favorite easy-grow, container-friendly windowsill spices!

GROWING BLACK PEPPERCORNS ON YOUR WINDOWSILL

I have done stupid things to my black pepper plants. I admit it. There is so little information out there that I tooooootally misunderstood the plant’s natural growth habit, but with just a tad of research I’ve learned: keep the plant out of direct sunlight, don’t mess with the grainy little particles on the leaves (they’re normal!), and let it climb. This is a vining plant that wants to clamber up a trellis or artificial tree, in a jungle-type environment where dappled light won’t be too harsh on the tender leaves.

During the summer, I don’t put my plant outside with the rest of my container garden; I leave it on a glassed-in porch, where it can get more light than an indoor plant typically would, but where it still has some protection from a climate it was never designed to thrive in. With this treatment, my black peppercorn plant has absolutely exploded with new growth this year, and I’m downright thrilled. Next year’s goal? I want to figure out a way to give this potted plant an artificial tree instead of its current stakes to climb on. Stay tuned for an update on how those plans work out!

GROWING CURRY INDOORS IN CONTAINERS

I don’t even LIKE curry, but unfortunately my family does. To me, it’s just a little bit too forceful and overwhelming a spice (which I know really isn’t fair, since I love the strong flavors of garlic and onions… I don’t know, maybe it’s a result of the foods I grew up on). One way or another, I’ve come to learn that I’m not for curry, and curry really isn’t for me.
Unless, however, we’re talking about growing curry as a windowsill plant.

When my family really started to like the taste of curried food, my consolation award was deciding that I should at least get to attempt growing curry as an addition to the collection of unusual spice plants on my windowsill. I have to admit it: it’s been fun. The curry plant is a pretty cool spice to grow in a container garden. I’ve found growing curry on your windowsill is a little more finicky than the black peppercorn (or maybe I’m just not super motivated), but even under less-than-optimal conditions (and zero love from me), this tough little plant has stubbornly refused to die. In spite of my dislike for the spice, I’ve taken a grudging liking to the plant, and growing curry on my windowsill – even in zone 4 winters – is a pretty cool gardening status symbol. As a container plant for northern gardeners, curry is a great option to grow for a highly unusual spice plant that adds a higher tier of bragging rights without an enormous amount of hassle for the lazy gardener (read: me).

WINDOWSILL-GROWING BAY LEAF

Realistically, the bay leaf isn’t as exciting as curry or black pepper (at least not to me), but in terms of how much I used in relation to how much one plant can produce, bay leaves are miiiiles more useful. As much as I’d like to dream about supplying myself with black pepper exclusively grown by me, the reality is that unless I buy a bigger house (or greenhouse! Yes, please!), I will probably never have the windowsill space to grow enough to get me through a year.

Realistically, the bay leaf isn’t as exciting as curry or black pepper (at least not to me), but in terms of how much I used in relation to how much one plant can produce, bay leaves are miiiiles more useful. As much as I’d like to dream about supplying myself with black pepper exclusively grown by me, the reality is that unless I buy a bigger house (or greenhouse! Yes, please!), I will probably never have the windowsill space to grow enough to get me through a year.Realistically, the bay leaf isn’t as exciting as curry or black pepper (at least not to me), but in terms of how much I used in relation to how much one plant can produce, bay leaves are miiiiles more useful. As much as I’d like to dream about supplying myself with black pepper exclusively grown by me, the reality is that unless I buy a bigger house (or greenhouse! Yes, please!), I will probably never have the windowsill space to grow enough to get me through a year.Realistically, the bay leaf isn’t as exciting as curry or black pepper (at least not to me), but in terms of how much I used in relation to how much one plant can produce, bay leaves are miiiiles more useful. As much as I’d like to dream about supplying myself with black pepper exclusively grown by me, the reality is that unless I buy a bigger house (or greenhouse! Yes, please!), I will probably never have the windowsill space to grow enough to get me through a year.
Bay leaves though? That’s another story.

When I was growing up, I’m pretty sure my mom put bay leaves in every soup she ever made. Fortunately for me, the leaf output of one small bay leaf tree can keep my spice cupboard completely stocked – I’ll never have to buy bay leaves again! I also appreciate that the tree is pretty much 100% worry-free; I don’t have to do a thing special for it, and it tolerates a wee bit of neglect, too. The only downside is that I wish I could figure out a way to prune the thing into a more of a bushy habit, but you know what? That’ll come. In the meantime, I have a happy little windowsill bay leaf tree that’s simple and easy to grow.

GROWING WINDOWSILL SPICES

I love my windowsill garden. There’s something so satisfying about growing tropical and subtropical spices on my windowsill while the temperatures outside are dropping down to sub-zero levels… I feel like I’ve successfully run a con game, and my reward is the healthy, homegrown spices from my own container garden. If you’ve ever been interested in growing windowsill spices, I encourage you to dive in with one of the easier-care species listed above, but I warn you – it’s an addictive hobby, and you might find yourself researching how to grow cinnamon, vanilla and cocoa next!

Happy gardening!

Not sure where to purchase a potted tropical fruit or spice tree? Check out my favorite windowsill fruit tree nurseries!