08/27/26
Bought new herbs this past weekend finally, rosemerry and lemon thyme. Hopefully I will be able to grow these on the patio with partial sun all day.
Plants
Between the herbs, the coffee tree, and the orchids that refuse to cooperate, this is where I keep track of what I'm growing, the care each one actually needs, and what I've learned the hard way.
The collection
What I'm growing
General care requirements below — I'll swap in my own observations as I go, since every windowsill and yard is a little different.
Rosemary
☀ 6–8 hrs direct sun
💧 dry between waterings
Mediterranean herb that wants to run dry between waterings — sometimes called the "upside-down plant" since it likes dry soil but slightly moist foliage. Well-draining, sandy soil is key; watch for root rot if overwatered. Add your notes here.
Lemon Thyme
☀ Full sun
💧 Let soil dry out
Wants abundant, bright, direct light — keep it within a foot of a sunny window. Grows slowly and doesn't need much fertilizer; well-draining soil with some perlite works well. Add your notes here.
Sweet Mint
☀ 4–6 hrs sun
💧 Keep evenly moist
Unlike most herbs here, mint actually wants to stay moist — don't let it dry out. Give it its own container, since it spreads aggressively and will take over anything nearby. Add your notes here.
Tomatoes
☀ 6+ hrs direct sun
💧 Water daily in heat
New addition, growing in a hanging planter outside. Hanging baskets dry out fast, so plan on daily watering once it's hot, plus regular feeding since nutrients leach out with every watering. Pinching the tips young helps it bush out into a fuller, cascading plant. Add your notes here.
Coffee Tree
☀ Bright, indirect light
💧 Evenly moist, never soggy
An understory plant by nature, so it wants dappled light, not direct sun — harsh sun scorches the leaves. Humidity is the trickiest part indoors; a pebble tray or humidifier helps, since dry air invites spider mites. Add your notes here.
Snake Plant
☀ Tolerates low light
💧 Every 2–6 weeks
The low-maintenance one on this list — thrives on neglect and does best in bright indirect light, but will hang on in far dimmer corners too. Let the soil dry out completely between waterings; overwatering is really the only way to kill it. Add your notes here.
Moth Orchid
☀ Bright, indirect only
💧 Weekly, let roots dry
No direct sun — leaves will scorch. If it isn't reblooming, low light is the most common culprit. Grown in bark, not soil, so water thoroughly and let it approach dryness between waterings rather than following a fixed schedule. Add your notes here.
Jasmine minima
☀ Bright, indirect light
💧 When top inch is dry
Wants a good amount of bright light to bloom reliably indoors — 6+ hours if possible, out of harsh direct sun. Keep humidity moderate and avoid moving it around once it's settled; jasmine doesn't love being relocated. Add your notes here.
Journal
Lessons learned
A running log of what wins, mistakes, and the occasional plant I almost killed.
08/15/26
Overwatered the ornage moth orchid, letting it dry out longer this time. Coffee tree finally pushed new growth after moving it out of direct sun on the patio. I have repotted 50% of the dirt in the coffee plant so hopefully this will make up for some of the lack of nutrients.
07/15/26
Finished the outdoor planters box. I added the soil and need to pickup the new herbs next week.