Growing your own herbs is a rewarding way to add fresh flavors to your cooking and beauty to your home. Whether you have a spacious backyard or just a small apartment windowsill, there are countless creative ways to set up an herb garden that fits your space and style. With the right containers and a bit of planning, you can enjoy homegrown herbs year-round, saving money on store-bought options while experiencing superior freshness and taste.
Looking for inspiration? Herb planters can transform ordinary items into charming garden spaces. From repurposed kitchen items like old toasters to custom-built raised beds, the possibilities are endless. You’ll find ideas suitable for every budget, skill level, and space constraint – making fresh herbs accessible to everyone regardless of gardening experience.
In this article, we'll cover
1. Pallet Wall Herb Display
Pallet herb gardens are perfect for small spaces and add rustic charm to your home. You can transform an old wooden pallet into a vertical herb garden with just a few tools.
Simply clean your pallet, attach landscape fabric to the back, and add soil and herbs to each row. Mount it securely on a sunny wall for best results.
This project works great for kitchen herbs like basil, thyme, and mint. You’ll enjoy fresh herbs while using vertical space wisely!
2. Cedar Ladder Herb Planter
Cedar ladder herb planters are both practical and eye-catching for your garden. You can build one for around $20 using cedar fence pickets, which naturally resist rot and insects.
These tiered planters feature multiple levels where you can grow different herbs. The ladder design makes it easy to access all your plants while saving space in your yard or patio.
Some designs include deeper boxes at the bottom for root vegetables. You can customize the size based on your needs – a typical design uses pieces about 27 inches long for each trough.
3. Recycled Tin Can Herbs
Tin cans make perfect planters for your favorite herbs! Instead of throwing them away, clean them out and add soil for a quick herb garden.
You can paint the cans in bright colors to match your kitchen or leave them as is for a rustic look. Some people even create vintage-inspired labels for their tin can herb planters.
These recycled planters work well on windowsills, patios, or arranged in a row on your kitchen counter. They’re great for growing basil, mint, parsley, or any small herbs you use often.
4. Window Box Full of Mint
Mint makes a fantastic choice for a window box herb garden, especially when it gets its own dedicated space. Since mint tends to spread rapidly, giving it a box all to itself prevents it from overtaking other herbs.
You can grow several varieties like peppermint, spearmint, and chocolate mint together for a diverse collection. Position your mint window box where it gets morning sun but afternoon shade for best results.
Remember to harvest mint regularly to keep it bushy and productive. You’ll enjoy fresh mint for teas, desserts, and summer drinks right at your fingertips!
5. DIY Herb Spiral Garden
A herb spiral is a smart way to grow herbs in a small space. This design uses vertical space by spiraling upward, creating different growing zones in one compact area.
You can build a herb spiral using old bricks or stones stacked in a spiral shape. The top stays drier for herbs like rosemary and sage that prefer less water.
The middle works well for thyme and oregano, while the bottom areas retain more moisture for herbs like mint and parsley.
This project is budget-friendly, especially if you use materials you already have. Your herbs will be easy to access, and the design adds a beautiful focal point to your garden.
6. Rustic Log Planter
Bring the outdoors inside with a charming rustic log planter for your herbs. You can use either vertical or horizontal logs, depending on your space and style preference.
Hollow out a section of a log or drill holes for small herb pots. The natural wood adds warmth and character to your kitchen or garden area.
These planters are super versatile. You can place them on windowsills, countertops, or even hang them for a unique display of your favorite herbs.
7. Upright Wooden Planter Tower
An upright wooden planter tower is perfect if you have limited space but still want to grow lots of herbs. You can build this vertical structure using basic lumber and some simple tools.
This tower design allows you to plant herbs at different heights, making them easy to reach and care for. The tiered structure lets you put sun-loving herbs at the top and shade-tolerant varieties below.
You can customize the height and width based on your space. For best results, place your tower near your kitchen door for quick herb access when cooking.
8. Painted Tire Herb Pot
Turn an old tire into a colorful herb planter for your garden! Old tires make excellent containers for growing herbs, and they’re free to repurpose.
First, clean your tire thoroughly. Then use outdoor, non-toxic paint to create a bright design. Remember that black tires absorb heat, so a light color might be better for your herbs.
You can place the tire flat on the ground or stack painted tires for a taller garden feature. Fill with good quality soil and plant your favorite herbs!
9. Hollow Brick Herb Holder
Looking for a quick and creative herb planter? Hollow bricks offer a simple solution! These bricks have spaces that make perfect mini planters for small herbs like thyme or chives.
You can place these herb-filled bricks along garden edges or stack them to create a small wall of herbs. The brick material helps regulate soil temperature, which many herbs appreciate.
For best results, fill the holes with quality potting soil before adding your herb seedlings. Remember to water carefully since the small spaces can dry out quickly on hot days.
10. Galvanized Trough Herb Farm
Galvanized troughs make wonderful containers for your herb garden. They add a rustic, farmhouse charm while being practical and durable.
You can plant multiple herbs in one trough or dedicate separate containers for different herb types. Many gardeners start with quick-growing varieties like lettuce and radishes, then switch to herbs after harvesting.
These metal containers look better than traditional terracotta pots in many garden settings. Try arranging several different-sized troughs for visual interest and better organization of your herbs.