I've been trying to grow herbs from seeds indoors recently. I'm in a condo, so indoors is all I am able to do.
So far, what I've geen getting is nowhere what the picture on the package looks like and I have no idea why.
Here's what I've been doing:

I use a herb starting soil mix bought from a local greenhouse.
I start them under 2 flourescent lights (one regular, one for growing) for about 16 hrs a day.
I've had good success getting them to germinate.
The stems never seem to thicken and they end up falling over.
They are spindly things with very small leaves and are totally unusable.
They are now out from under the lights but they haven't improved.
I've tried cutting them down to regrow and they grow the same way.

I follow this up by posting a picture, but for now, has anybody got any suggestions?

Am I keeping the lights on too long?

First question that comes to my mind is how far are the lights from the plants. You should have the light 2 to 4 inches from the plants. I know it seems to close but that's what's required. Second of all there is a solution that you want to use on the seeds before you plant them to stop damp off disease which is prevailent when planting indoors. Also you probably want to use half strengh plant food. Hopefully, something I've said will help. Good luck with your herbs. I'm growing oregano, thyme, mint, sage, chives and cinnamon basil inside this year. The thyme is spindly and the mint lost all it's leaves when it first came inside but it's recovering nicely now.

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if they are thin it maybe damp off disease and there is a solution you can soak the seeds in to stop that from happening. The other suggestion is to buy a potting/starting soil that has no plant food or fertilizer mixed in it. The other way to thicken stems is to pinch back the ends of the stems where the new growth is forming.

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