Some of us don't have the luxury of a garden or even a balcony in which to grow our herbs.  In this case, the next best place is a south-facing window.  In this location, herbs will still get the amount of light they require.  Best of all, you can enjoy herbs year-round, in most climates. 

Always plant herbs in a container that has adequate drainage.  The containers must also be very clean in order to keep from diseasing young seedlings.  Clean plastic is a good starting container.  Fill the containers with sterile potting soil, as garden soil often contains bacteria, parasites, and weed seeds.  Make sure the soil is broken up, and that there are no large clumps of peat or compost in the mix.  If your only soil is from a garden, bake it in an oven at 180ºF for a couple of hours to sterilize. 

Soil should be pressed down lightly into the container, but not pounded down solid.  If you are using seeds, make shallow indentations in the soil where you intend to plant.  Most seed packets will tell you how far apart and how deep to plant your seeds.  Be sure to check the back of the packet to make sure the pot you're using is big enough to hold the herb when it is growing.  Herbs such as borage can reach up to 3 feet in height, and if their pot is too small, they will let you know by toppling it over onto the floor, usually just after you've cleaned it.  Also, when preparing your soil, make sure it is slightly moist.

The challenge for the indoor gardener is to duplicate outdoor growing conditions.  For many of us, this can be difficult.  Homes are often too dark and dry for plants, and often are not well-ventilated.  If you do not have a south-facing window available to you, you can purchase either an incandescent or fluorescent growing light (I recommend fluorescent) to provide them with the light they require.  When using artificial sources, this often requires them to be on for 12-16 hours a day.
When watering plants, try to water enough to keep the soil moist, but not so much that the plants are standing in water.  This is the cause of root rot.  Try also to learn about each plant's water requirements.  Along with watering, many plants need some humidity to be healthy.  Mist plants with a spray bottle first thing every morning, especially if your home is dry. 
If you plan on fertilizing your plants, and some plants appreciate it more than others, give them a little food often, instead of a lot all at once.  You may use time-release fertilizer stakes, or use a liquid.  Liquid fertilizers are often suggested in once-a-month doses.  I would suggest using a quarter of the suggested dose once a week.  If you prefer to use something organic, use fish emulsion or seaweed extract.

You can also use nursery plants in your indoor garden, but keep them away from other plants until you have determined that they are healthy and disease-free.  Remember to transplant and repot as the herbs grow, and trim regularly to promote bushy growth.  Try to trim just above the leaf buds, and try not to allow plants to become leggy.  Pruning at this stage will usually cause plants to die. 

More than anything, remember that these plants are depending on you for almost all of their needs.  Take good care of them, and they will reward you with rich growth and bountiful, year-round harvests.

If you decide to have an indoor garden, the following herbs are suitable for indoor life:

Angelica Basil Bay Laurel Borage Burnet Catnip Chamomile Dandelion Dill Fennel Horehound Jasmine Lavender Lemon balm

Lemon verbena Marjoram Mint Oregano Parsley Rosemary Sage Savory Scented geraniums Tansy Tarragon Thyme Wintergreen Woodruff