How to Grow Cumin Inside

Cumin is a popular flavoring agent in a variety of dishes.

An annual herb native to the Mediterranean regions, cumin is a candidate for indoor windowsill gardens. It is primarily cultivated for its flavorful seeds, which have a variety of culinary uses. Cumin is a common flavoring agent in Indian and Mexican cuisine, as well as cheeses, pickles, sausages and soups. It is the primary flavoring spice for curries and chili powders.

Difficulty:

Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Properly sized containers
• Potting mix
• Cumin seeds or seedlings

1. Select a good location for indoor growing, such as a south- or west-facing window, with at least five hours of sunlight daily. Growing cumin indoors requires a high level of natural light. Consider supplementing light levels with a fluorescent lamp if a sunny windowsill is unavailable.

2. Use a container at least 3 inches deep and 3 to 6 inches wide with holes in the bottom for drainage. Containers can be clay, wood, metal or plastic, as long as they are of sufficient size.

3. Purchase a potting mix formulated for container growth or prepare a custom mix by combining two parts potting soil with one part of perlite or coarse sand.

4. Add a single teaspoon of lime for every 5 inches of container diameter and mix it thoroughly into the soil. This helps ensure the soil has the proper pH for herb growing.

5. Add approximately 1 inch of gravel to the container's bottom before filling it with soil. This helps provide adequate drainage and prevents root rot.

6. Decide whether to start from seed or use seedlings. If growing from seed, place the cumin seeds on the soil's surface and push them down to a depth of ¼ inch. Tamp them lightly covering the seeds with a light layer of potting mix. Water the pot regularly until germination occurs.

7. Plant cumin seedlings by scooping out a hole and placing the seedling into the container. Backfill the hole with potting mix and water well to settle.

8. Place the pot on a tray or saucer, on top of a small layer of gravel. This helps ensure a humidity level of 30 to 50 percent, ideal for growing cumin plants.

9. Water cumin plants regularly and feed with a balanced fertilizer. A 5-10-5 blend is ideal for indoor plants.

References

• University of Georgia Cooperative Extension; Herbs in Southern Gardens; Wayne J. McLaurin, et al.; January 2011
• Purdue University; Guide to Medicinal and Aromatic Plants; Cumin; December 1997
• Cornell University Cooperative Extension; Windowsill Gardening with Herbs; Jean MacCubbin
• West Virginia University Extension Service: Growing Herbs in the Home Garden
• University of Illinois Cooperative Extension; Growing Herbs in the Home Garden; James Schmidt