I am an “herbie.” I like to grow and use herbs. However, I do not grow anything inside. Just not enough light, and I don’t care to grow under lights.

Recently the Ohio State University Extension Office received several inquiries about growing herbs indoors and outside. I think what we recently went through has greatly sparked many to want to grow things for their own use. Herbs are a great start.

After some research, I came up with a list of herbs that tend to tolerate growing inside. I was looking for well-known herbs that are compact in size and add wonderful flavors to so many dishes. (Hint: Put herbs in at the very last minute to preserve the flavor). Also, you might have to order online or plant seeds to get the suggested species.

• Top of the list, grolau chives (Allium schoeneprasum) — Chives have a strong flavor, with thick dark green leaves. This species grows about 8 to 12 inches tall. If planting seeds, it only takes 10 to 14 days to germinate with a temperature of 60 to 68 degrees.

Who doesn’t love a baked potato with chives?

• Fernleaf dill (Anethum graveolens) — This is a dwarf dill, which only reaches 18 inches and is easy to grow from seed.

• Spicy globe basil (Ocimum basilicum minimum) — Tiny light green leaves, 8 to 10 inches tall, dense and compact. An attractive plant that does not seem to be plagued with insects or disease.

• Greek oregano (Origanum vulgare hirtum) — True Mediterranean cooking, excellent flavor, pink flowers, grows 8 to 10 inches.

• Vietnamese coriander (Polygonum odoratum) — Not a true coriander. Regrows after cutting. Grows 4 to 8 inches. No bolting here.

• Broadleaf thyme (Plectranthus amboinicus) — Also known as Cuba oregano or Spanish thyme. This plant has broad fleshly leaves. This is very different from the usual English thyme, but does add another dimension of flavor to dishes that call for thyme. Grow from cuttings, 10 to 12 inches tall.

• Blue boy rosemary (Rosmarinus officinals) — More compact, flowers freely, excellent flavor. This is a tall one, may reach up to 2 feet. Propagated by cuttings only.

• Dwarf garden sage (Salvia officinalis) — Smaller leaves and more compact than regular sage, grows to about 10 inches. Propagated by cuttings only.

• Creeping savory (Satureja repandra) — Same flavor as winter savory. Grows fast and easy indoors. Only 2 to 4 inches tall, fills a pot with a mat of foliage. Grows easily for cuttings.

I hope this gives you some ideas about which herbs to grow inside. My hope is that you grow them outside too; pollinators love herbs, deer and rabbits, not so much. And that’s a good thing.

For more details on growing herbs indoors year-round, go to http://go.osu.edu/herbsinside.

McKinley is an Ohio State University Mahoning County Master Gardener volunteer.