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Unique herb garden ideas


30 Herb Garden Ideas for Indoor or Outdoor Spaces

By

Heather Bien

Heather Bien

Heather Bien is an expert decor writer for The Spruce. She splits her time between Washington, D.C. and Locust Hill, VA, receiving her B.A. from the University of Virginia. Her bylines include Apartment Therapy, MyDomaine, HelloGiggles, StyleBlueprint, The Knot, MindBodyGreen, and The Everygirl.

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Published on 03/26/23

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Whether you have a windowsill to work with or you’re building an elaborate raised bed garden, anyone can grow an indoor or outdoor herb garden. You may be wondering whether you can plant basil with lavender, rosemary with cilantro, or whether mint grows well indoors. Perhaps you’re trying to figure out the best way to make use of a sunny kitchen counter in your apartment, or you need inspiration for an outdoor garden that’s as beautiful as it is functional.  

We’ve rounded up 30 herb garden ideas to give you all the tips and tricks for planting your indoor or outdoor herbs, how to plan a well-designed herb garden, and what kind of containers and materials are best for your garden.

Meet the Expert

9 Creative Vegetable Garden Ideas

25 Pretty Herb Garden Ideas

Growing herbs is an increasingly popular hobby, owing to its relative simplicity and the small amount of space needed.

If you’re interested in growing your own herbs, check out these 25 herb garden ideas for inspiration on how you could incorporate these healthy plants into your lifestyle.

1. Herb Potting

An easy way to make an herb garden is by using individual terracotta pots for each herb plant and grouping them together. These pots are readily available at garden centers and hardware stores and are generally low cost. They are suitable for keeping indoors and outdoors, making them very versatile. You could move them outside to encourage growth during warm summer months, and bring them back inside during winter to protect them from the elements if you live in a colder climate.

2. Raising Herbs

Building a raised bed for your herb garden can be as simple or as extravagant as you want it to be. The walled edges can be built from old planks of wood you have laying around, or repurpose old pallets and cut the planks down to size for your raised herb bed. If you’re not into the rustic look, you can buy short fence-like edging strips from home and garden stores, fit them into place and fill the middle with soil to create your raised bed. Plant your herbs, leaving growing room between each one, and remember to label them.

3. Re-Use, Reduce, Recycle

Repurposing old mason jars is a stylish and sustainable way to house your herb plants. It’s very cost-effective and can look quite striking when all of the jars are lined up in a row. You can get creative with the labels, using ribbon and printed tags, stickers, or garden string and handwritten labels for a more rustic look.

4. Round the Twist

Planting your herbs into a spiral design in your backyard is a clever way to ensure the plants are benefitting from optimum growing conditions. All herbs require slightly different treatment, with some enjoying constant sunlight, and others preferring occasional shade. With an elevated spiral, you can plant sun-loving herbs at the very top, to ensure they receive full sun. Plant herbs that like more moisture at the bottom, as this is where water will run down to. Herbs that require minimal water can sit at the top, benefitting from better drainage. Spiral garden beds can also create a visual centerpiece for your backyard.

5. Portable Planters

You can create an herb garden in almost any hollowed out structure that you find in your home or garage. This galvanized oversized bucket makes for an industrial feel for a selection of planted herbs, but you could also house herbs in old watering cans, teapots, mugs, paint tins, or even ice cream tubs. One trick is to drill a hole in the underside of your chosen container to ensure herbs don’t become waterlogged.

Planting all of the herbs together in one portable unit makes easy work of moving them inside or outside depending on the weather.

6. Basket Case

Herb gardens make pretty features within the home, and also contribute to making the air a better quality. Plant up a selection of your favorite herbs in a plastic container, and then place it in a more attractive outer shell for display in your kitchen or dining area. A woven basket makes for a homely, traditional look, while an old wooden wine box or fruit box will lend itself to a more rustic style. You can get creative with your herb garden containers, using paint on old vases or tins to update them and make them complement your decor.

7. Stand Out

A unique looking herb garden can be achieved by simply using various pots that you already own. Mismatched pots housing different herb plants can give a vibrant and colorful look in your kitchen, or outside in your backyard. Using pots of different styles and sizes lends itself to an eclectic look, which you can completely personalize to suit your individual taste. Arrange the pots in a haphazard way to give a casual feel, avoiding symmetry or height order.

8. Healthy Shelf-y Herbs

If you’re tight for space in your backyard, then a shelf is a great solution for a place to keep your herbs. You can hang a shelf from a wall, wooden fence, or even metal railings, to create extra surface space for herb pots and other flowers or plants.

You can buy purpose built garden shelves, or you can build your own with some planks of wood and metal brackets to hold them in place. If you make your own shelves, be sure to treat the wood to ensure longevity. Then simply line up your herbs on the shelves and enjoy.

9. Herb Warming

Herb plants make excellent gifts, especially for housewarming occasions, which are a slight change from the usual gift of flowers or house plants. Select your herb plant with your recipient in mind, by choosing an herb that will complement their taste in food. For example, a fan of Italian food may appreciate a basil plant, while a fish lover might enjoy dill. Wrap the plant in brown paper for a cute but rustic look; brown paper makes perfect wrapping paper as it is stylish and understated, plus completely recyclable, unlike many store-bought wrapping papers. This is a particularly good gift for anyone who appreciates sustainable gifts, as it will continue to grow and be used for months or even years to come.

10. Outdoor Tables

To create more surface space in your backyard, use a table to stand your herb pots on. If carefully positioned to consider sunlight and shadows, you can place the table on top of other plants to maximize space. You could use an outdoor table specifically designed for outside use, such as a treated wooden table, or you could make use of old unwanted furniture from your garage, or from friends or family members. Metal tables make for great outdoor tables as they sustain much less wear from rain and sun, though wooden tables can be used outside, but expect them to look quite rustic very quickly if they haven’t been treated for outdoor use.

11. Corner Creation

Creating an herb corner in your backyard is a good way to keep your herbs separate from other plants and flowers. If you have children or pets who play in your backyard, then select a corner which is tucked away to ensure the herbs are protected. You will also want to choose a corner which is not near a path or area that frequently gets foot traffic. Also, bear in mind when choosing an herb corner that the plants will need natural sunlight, so they shouldn’t be in a corner which will always be shadowed by a fence or wall.

12. Planting Tables

Tables are not just for inside the home, with planter tables being a brilliant solution for people who love to garden but do not want to spend time on their knees to prune the plants. Purpose built planter tables can be purchased from garden centers and hardware stores in various styles and sizes to suit your specific requirements. Planter tables are a good place to create an herb garden for people who enjoy warmer climates all year round. If you experience cold weather with frost or snow during winter, then a planter table may not be a convenient place to house herbs, as it cannot be easily moved.

13. Rooftop Garden

Even people who live in apartment buildings can have outside herb gardens, by planting herbs in pots and placing them on balconies or rooftop spaces. As long as the herbs can enjoy a decent amount of natural sunlight, then they will thrive even in the most unlikely areas. Herbs do tend to be less hardy than many other plants, so also try to ensure they are protected from strong wind or heavy rainfall. They will need to be brought indoors during colder months or adverse weather, so it’s always a good idea to use a portable container to make this transition less hassle, especially if you will be carrying the plants up and down flights of stairs in an apartment block.

14. Hang On

If you are the lucky owner of a balcony, but have limited floor or surface space for herbs, creating a hanging herb garden could be a useful solution. You can create extra space by fixing hooks to your walls from which hanging baskets can be suspended. Alternatively, fix a pole from one side of your balcony to the other in a similar style to a wardrobe rail, and dangle hanging baskets filled with herbs from it. You can use traditional bought hanging baskets, or find ways to suspend pots you already own with rope and hooks.

15. Protective Polytunnel

Polytunnels are an excellent choice for your garden if you want to keep herb plants outside all year round. Polytunnels come in many sizes and are made of polythene, a cheap but hard wearing plastic which will protect your plants from adverse weather, pests, and animals. They also retain heat and create a humid atmosphere, much like a greenhouse, warming the soil for earlier planting and increased growth. Polytunnels can be easily removed when necessary, and reused for other areas of your garden.

16. Balcony Garden

Develop an herb haven on your balcony by covering every possible surface with potted herbs and planters. Introduce fairy lights and soft furnishings in bold colors to give a luxurious and magical feel. The scents of the herbs will contribute to creating an appealing environment where you will want to spend more and more time. Outdoor rugs and cushions will help to make your herb balcony more comfortable, though remember to buy specially designed outdoor soft furnishings, or bring them inside when they’re not being used.

17. Fenced In

This quirky herb garden has taken the idea quite literally, by putting a miniature picket fence around the potted herbs. This is a good example to show how creative and inventive you can get with your herb garden, using it as a way to express yourself and an extension of your identity. Experiment with different ideas, such as using alternative pots, or wrapping containers in wallpaper or fabric for a new look. If you’d like to make your own picket fence for your herb garden, look online for miniature fence panels, or think outside of the box by using dolls house furniture or pieces from your child’s toy collection to create your own mini forest with herbs.

18. Windowsill Wonder

One of the best things about herb gardens is that they are so versatile, and can be made to be so compact that anyone can enjoy one. You don’t even need to have access to outside space to have an herb garden, all you need is a windowsill and some natural light. If you enjoy using s variety of herbs in your cooking, then you could turn a whole windowsill into an herb garden, potting up a row of herb plants. If you’re new to herb growing, start small with something like a basil plant on your windowsill to see how you get on. They are surprisingly easy to grow, with very little attention needed.

19. Growing in Water

Hydroponics is an increasingly popular way to grow plants without the use of soil, which might be very appealing if you don’t like the potential mess of having soil in your home. You can grow herbs in any number of containers, such as plastic cups or glass tumblers. The herbs are grown in a solution of water and nutrients, and it’s fascinating to watch the roots grow through the water if your hydroponics experiment is successful. Grow your hydroponic herb garden on a windowsill or in a greenhouse for the best growth rates.

20. Paint it Green

Making a green wall in your backyard is a real statement, and can be achieved in a variety of ways. Fix wall planters in a desired pattern on your wall and fill with herbs of different kinds for a vibrant green wall. For added impact, you could paint the wall underneath in a bright shade of green, or alternatively paint a striking pattern on it, such as stripes or a geometric design.

21. Vertical Gardening

Vertical gardens are growing in popularity due to the clever use of space they occupy. Vertical gardens can be achieved in a number of ways, by using shelf units lined up on your garden wall, or by fixing pots onto a large vertical metal frame. Although vertical gardens are popular among owners of small backyards, a vertical herb garden can make a great feature even in large gardens. Vertical gardens are also an efficient use of energy; by watering from the top, unused water from highest herbs drains through and drops onto herbs below, rather than being wasted elsewhere.

22. Helpful Herbs

Installing an herb garden alongside the space you use for dining in your backyard can improve your enjoyment of meal times. Not only will the herbs provide a pleasant fragrance for you to enjoy, but by carefully selecting the right herbs, you will be able to keep nuisance flies and insects at bay. Herbs known to repel pests include basil, lemongrass, mint, and rosemary.

23. Tiered Herb Garden

Growing herbs in raised beds on several tiers has both aesthetic and practical benefits. This pyramid style of bed makes it easier to access the top herbs than if they were all flat on the same level, as they would be difficult to reach at the back for pruning and picking without disturbing the herbs at the front. It also enables you to keep different herb varieties separate for easy identification. Similarly to the spherical raised beds, it would be beneficial to place herbs that require less water at the top of the pyramid, as these will drain more quickly while keeping the thirstiest herbs on the lowest tier

24. Gardening with Kids

Herbs are the perfect way to get children interested in gardening. They grow very quickly, so children can reap the rewards of their efforts much faster than when growing fruit and vegetables. Your herb garden for children doesn’t need to be fancy or pretty; it just needs to be safe and easily accessible for small hands. Gardening has numerous benefits for children, improving focus, relieving stress, and encouraging an interest in a healthy diet.

25. Theme It

If you have a particular interest in a certain cuisine, allow your herb garden to reflect this. You could have an Italian themed herb garden, growing basil and oregano, or go for something a little more oriental with lemongrass and coriander. You could decorate your herb garden to match your choice of herbs, with pots colored to match the national flag.

Growing herbs is a cost-effective way to add new flavors to your cooking, while the simple process of successfully growing your own food is a joy and achievement in itself.

Top 10 Herb Garden Ideas • inTrends

For those interested in gardening, I would suggest starting with a simple herb garden. Even in the smallest apartment there are pots for herbs.

Anna Getty

Isn't it great to cook with fresh herbs? Any time a recipe calls for lemon balm, parsley, or chives, you simply head to your kitchen garden and gather what you need. Each dish will become more fragrant, and you will enjoy the fresh smell of growing herbs.

It is not necessary to plant a full-fledged garden, you can get by with a small indoor garden that will fit on your windowsill. Here are some ideas on how to start growing your own plants for culinary purposes.

Backyard garden ideas

Some herbs grow by themselves around the house. These are plants that calmly endure the change of seasons and cold weather. These include lavender and rosemary. They grow on their own, reaching several feet in size. If you are planning a backyard garden, consider the size of the herbs you will be planting. Higher ones are better placed further away, and lower ones are closer. This will make harvesting easier. Herbaceous plants are very beautiful, why not plant them so that you get a real garden.

Some perennials, such as lemon verbena, bloom beautifully throughout spring and summer. Therefore, you can organize a small place to relax, to which a brick or paved path leads. Then you can sit outside and enjoy the natural aroma. It would be nice to put small elegant plates with the name of each species. Anyone who will admire your plantings will know what exactly you grow.

Balcony or rooftop garden

Even if you don't have a backyard, you can make a man-made vegetable garden inside. Hang planters on the railing, for example. Group the plants according to how much sun they like and what kind of soil they prefer. If you have enough floor space, set up a rack for a few pots. There are high greenery racks with individual stands for each pot.

On the balcony it is most convenient to arrange flowers vertically. Try to store materials at the bottom to leave as much room as possible for plants on top.

Place the tray slightly on its side against the wall. Use cross beams for planting small herbs. Additional wooden pieces may be needed to keep the soil from crumbling. You can buy a trough or bath on a stand, fill it with soil and plant your favorite spices.

Container garden

Container gardens are great because you can change the size depending on the space available and the amount of herbs you want to grow. Let's say you have a few small clay pots that fit in your hands and a few large ceramic pots with tall herbs. Not all pots need to be the same size. Small herbs grow, transplant them into a larger container, and plant new ones in their place.

Place some of the pots on tiered stands so they look great. Remember that we care not only about beauty, but also about ensuring that each plant receives a sufficient amount of light. You may have to arrange everything on the same level, even if it does not look so great.

Creative flower pots for the garden

Of course, you can use ordinary flower pots for growing, but there are many other ways that you can try. You can create an indoor garden by hanging pots outside the kitchen window, or you can set up a hanging garden inside. Hang small pots on kitchen shelving or on a pole placed in a corner or near a window.

If your kitchen has open shelves, why not place a row of stone jars on one of them to hold houseplants. It will breathe life into your kitchen and add some simple décor. In addition, fresh herbs will always be at your fingertips. You can even label each jar so you know which species grows where.

If you want to set up an outdoor herb garden, try building a spiral. Such a unique option looks like a winding pyramid. You can place the plants in a spiral from bottom to top. What is good about this design? One side of the pyramid is dry, the other is wet. Some areas get more light, others remain in the shade. This gives you the opportunity to grow a wide variety of varieties.

Creative gardeners use wheelbarrows, an old grill, a vintage chest of drawers, or barrels cut in half to grow.

Pallet garden idea

The use of pallets in design is very popular and there is a reason for that. They are easy to put on their side, thereby closing the voids, turning them into an ideal place for growing small herbaceous plants. It is necessary to cover the bottom of the voids so that the soil does not fall through. Pallets are great because you can customize them to fit your space. You can paint them, decorate them or just leave them wooden.

Most people install pallets on the ground, although it costs nothing to mount it on a wall. If you don't want to plant your herbs directly in the tray, you can hang pots on it. Small round pots or long rectangular boxes with hooks can be attached to the pallet beam. This design is convenient because it allows you to easily transplant herbs without damaging neighboring ones. Seeds can be germinated indoors, and when they grow up, they can be transferred to a hanging pot.

Herb Garden Ideas

If your backyard garden is already well-decorated, consider splicing it up with halved wine barrels. Cover them with earth and plant one or two types of herbs inside. It will add color to your garden and diversify the table with fresh herbs.

If there is room on the wall, a hanger with multiple pockets can be installed. You can save on this if you use an old shoe rack. It is better to buy a special installation. Fill all the pockets with soil and plant some grass in each. This idea is great because the sprouts don't interfere with each other, they don't steal nutrients. If a plant outgrows its pocket, it is easy to remove it without damaging the neighbors.

Raised Bed Herb Garden Ideas

A raised bed is our definition of a mound that is several feet above ground level. This type of beds is used for growing vegetables, it is great for grass. The beds themselves can be made less wide, because the grass does not need much space.

You can also use a raised bed with legs. Many gardeners really appreciate this method of growing because it allows you to care for plants without bending over or squatting. Look for beds with a shelf underneath for extra storage space for your gardening tools.

Small Herb Garden Ideas

Each plant only needs about 8 inches of soil to grow, so multiple herbs can be planted in a tiny space. To ensure success, you need to choose companion plants that help and enrich each other. In this case, you will get more greens for cooking.

The ideal mini-garden is a garden in a basket. You will have a handle in the center and compartments on the sides. Suitable for any tool box. You can easily transfer the crop from the place where they grew to the kitchen. You do not have to endlessly walk back and forth to bring the right spice.

Vertical Growing Ideas

Herbs do not need deep root systems. Why not create a blooming vertical garden? This will allow you to grow a large number of plants in a tiny area. The easiest way is to use flower stands. It can be a stand alone or one that rests on a wall. There are several levels available that start at the ground and go up 150-180 cm.

If you have a big enough space, why not divide it up with a vertical structure. It will be a free-standing wall that can be approached from different sides. When the plants grow, they will turn into a screen and will drown out the sound. Another common solution is a three-dimensional pyramid-shaped stand with flat sides or a rounded cone shape. Here the base is always wider than the top.

Planter idea

Herbs are great because they are small so there is no problem growing them indoors. You can have one container of your favorite and most used spices, or you can have an entire indoor vegetable garden.

Ikea has some handy kitchen solutions that are great for potted plants. You need to install a crossbar on the wall of the kitchen where sunlight regularly hits, then hang containers on it, plant a sprout in each. You can mount several of these crossbars, one above the other.

Another interesting idea is to install floating shelves on the wall and hang small pots on them. Don't be afraid to use pots of different sizes. Basil and oregano grow luxuriantly if they are to your liking they should be placed in larger pots, small ones are good for garlic, thyme or mint.

15 ideas for setting up your own herb garden at home

Growing herbs at home.

A herb garden can be set up not only in a country house or on a plot near a country house. You can implement such a complex and unusual idea right at home. It will take a lot of effort to create a garden, but the result is definitely worth the effort.


1. Mini garden


Various herbs in one pot.

The wide pot is perfect for growing small quantities of herbs. Plant herbs in small patches that can be marked with small labels for convenience.

2. Multi-level garden


Multi-level herb garden on the windowsill.

Starting to create their herb garden, some people are faced with the problem of a catastrophic lack of space. To solve this problem, you should use vertical furniture brackets that will help create a multi-level potted structure.

3. Stepladder


Stepladder garden.

Growing herbs requires a lot of light. Therefore, the best option is to grow them on an insulated balcony. And an old wooden step-ladder will help to beautifully place numerous pots with fragrant greens.

4. Cups


Herbs in cups.

Tea cups can be used instead of regular flower pots. Rest assured, small bushes of dill, basil, mint, lemon balm and rosemary will look charming in beautiful porcelain mugs.


5. Glass jars


Herbs in glass jars.

If the right pots are not available, herbs can be planted in small glass jars decorated with nameplates, twine and ribbons.

6. Old crockery


Herb garden in a metal container.

An old trough, pot and bucket are great for planting a herb garden. You can plant herbs in such dishes in beds or make separate large mono-gardens.

7. Inverted Mini Garden


Growing plants upside down.

The upside-down garden is an opportunity not only to plant your favorite always fresh herbs at home, but also a spectacular decorative element that will surely surprise your family and guests. To implement such an idea, you will need special purchased or home-made pots with inserts that will not allow clods of earth to fall out and crumble.

8. Pallet garden


Vertical garden in a wooden pallet.

An unnecessary wooden pallet is perfect for growing your favorite herbs vertically on your balcony.

9. Hydroponic garden


Growing herbs without soil.

Hydroponics is the cultivation of plants without soil. By choosing the right substrate and artificial lighting, you can get an excellent harvest even indoors.

10. Vertical garden


Vertical garden in the kitchen.

Special containers for growing your favorite herbs right in your kitchen. Such a garden is not only a bed from which you can pick a sprig of mint or basil at any time, but also a unique decorative element.

11. Herbs in bottles


Vertical garden in plastic bottles.

The original design of a narrow wooden board and several cut bottles will allow you to grow herbs on the walls of your own apartment.

12. Hanging pots


Herbs in tins.

Not everyone has wide window sills, and there is always something to put there instead of flower pots, but the space under the ceiling is always free! It is under the ceiling that you can hang small tin cans with your favorite aromatic herbs.

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