I think pretty much everyone can agree that grocery prices have become a bit ridiculous over the past few years. This fact has led to more and more people looking for cost-saving and cost-cutting methods to help lighten the load, such as clipping coupons and making fewer trips.
One more thing you can try that will help save money on your grocery bill: growing your plants at home! Doing so can help you cut down on costs, help you know exactly where your food is grown so you can avoid harmful chemicals, and provide you with the convenience of always having fresh produce on hand. Here’s a quick list of a few plants you can grow at home, even without a large garden to do so in.
Basil

If you’re looking for an ultra-easy herb you can grow at home, basil will be your new best friend. All you really need is a sunny windowsill and some well-draining soil, and you’re already well on your way. Basil is a plant that is easy to grow from seeds, but it’s also simple to transplant, making it so that even beginner gardeners shouldn’t have too much of a problem growing it.
Basil grows best in warm weather, so late spring and summer are the best seasons to start growing. Because it’s easily grown indoors, you can enjoy fresh herbs year-round. If you don’t have the space, you can dry or even freeze your harvest. This awesome herb can be used in many dishes, from pasta sauces to fresh salads or spicing up your favorite chicken dish, making it a must-have for anyone cooking from home.
Mint

Mint is another quick and active grower, but The Spruce points out that this pretty plant is an aggressive spreader. Because of this, you should make sure to grow it away from other plants — or better yet, in a pot — to make sure it doesn’t take over your garden.
When growing mint, look for a spot that has partial shade and plant it in rich, well-draining soil. It can be grown both indoors and outdoors and does well from spring even into fall. Fresh mint is absolutely delicious and can be used for teas, garnishes, or even some homemade mojitos!
Parsley

Another plant that goes well in just about any dish that you plan on having, parsley is an easy-growing herb that can be raised in a pot or garden bed, either indoors or outdoors. While The Kitchen creator Jayme Henderson says that parsley prefers a sunny spot with well-draining soil, she adds that it can tolerate at least partial shade. Start from seeds or small plants, and once established, parsley will reward you by growing pretty abundantly, especially during the warmer months of spring and summer.
Cilantro

I’ve never been a giant fan of cilantro, sadly being one of those to whom it tastes a bit like soap, but I know there are others out there who love it in everything from salsa to tacos and plenty of other international dishes. Cilantro is a fast-growing herb that does well in the cooler seasons, with Better Homes & Gardens sharing that it can easily be grown indoors with great results. The leaves are ready to use in just 30 days after planting — perfect for adding quick flavor to your favorite dishes — so start now for some quick flavor.
Spinach

Another plant that does well in somewhat cooler temps, like during spring and fall, is spinach. It’s a hardy green with tons of nutritional value and pretty good versatility when it comes to cooking. There are other benefits to growing spinach, too, including the fact that it is space-efficient and quick to grow.
Spinach prefers partial sunlight and consistent watering. Harvesting is simple: cut the leaves as they appear, promoting continual growth!
Lettuce

If you’re looking for something that is a versatile meal option, super easy to grow at home, and perfect for beginners, let me introduce you to lettuce. Yep, lettuce. Lettuce grows very quickly and has many varieties that are ready to harvest in as little as a month. When it comes to caring for lettuce, it’s best to plant it in a sunny spot (though it can tolerate partial shade), either in a pot or small garden space. The leaves can be harvested as you need them, and, as a bonus, doing so encourages even more growth.
Kale

Kale is an incredibly nutrient-dense leafy green that grows well, even in cooler temps, making it a plant that you can grow almost year-round in some climates. According to The Spruce, kale has a fast growth rate — growing from seed to harvest in as little as three months — and prefers a sunny location and moist, well-draining soil. It also has some pretty low-maintenance needs and can be grown in pots, raised beds, or directly in the ground. Pick the outer leaves as they grow for a continuous supply you can use in smoothies, soups, or even kale chips!
Cherry Tomatoes

Next up is one of my absolute favorite things to grow: cherry tomatoes. According to Southern Living, they grow best in warm, sunny weather and in well-draining soil. They can be grown in small pots or even hanging baskets as long as they have good support for their vines as they grow, so make sure to build trellises for them wherever you plant your tomatoes.
Green Onions

If you’re looking for the ultimate grow-from-home veggie, then green onions are going to be it. You can regrow these crunchy, delicious greens right from kitchen scraps; just keep the root ends in a glass of water and watch them start growing again after just a few days. Once they sprout, all you have to do is plant them in soil for a continuous supply.
Green onions grow fairly quickly and can be harvested 60 to 80 days after planting. They can then be used in soups, stir-fries, omelets, and more.
Garlic

Garlic is one of those veggies that I use in pretty much every meal, and luckily, they’re super easy to grow! They can either be grown in your garden or in pots indoors, where all they need is at least 6 hours of indirect light and some well-draining soil.
Even beginner gardeners shouldn’t have a problem growing garlic as it requires very little maintenance overall while giving back clusters of fresh cloves that can be used in countless dishes.
Carrots

Carrots are a hardier root veggie that grows well in loose, sandy soil, so your best bet is to plant them in garden beds or deeper containers. There are multiple types of carrots, and each is different in color, size, and shape. Make sure you know what kind you are growing so you have the right type and depth of soil to match. Carrots do take a few months to mature, and thinning them out early on ensures that you have a large and healthy harvest.
Strawberries

Strawberries are absolutely perfect to grow in small spaces, making them easy to grow at home, even if you don’t have tons of garden space. They can be grown in pots, hanging baskets, or even vertical planters.
For the juiciest and biggest strawberries, give them plenty of sunlight, regular watering, and good air circulation (to avoid a nasty fungal infection!).
A single plant can produce multiple crops in a single season, meaning you can have fresh berries for snacks, desserts, or smoothies without breaking the bank at the store.
Lemons

One thing that was surprising for me to learn early on in my gardening career was that lemons are actually easy to grow in pots — at least if you choose the right dwarf variety. These plants need well-draining soil, lots of sunlight, and a consistent watering schedule to be their best. Keep in mind that it will take a lemon tree some time to bear fruit — generally 3 to 5 years to reach maturity and 6 to 9 months to fruit after they flower — but having fresh citrus right at home is well worth the wait.