Small Space Herb Garden Ideas: Grow Fresh Herbs Anywhere!

Learn about small herb garden design ideas for vertical, window sill, DIY pallet gardens, mason jar planters, and more small herb garden design ideas. Perfect for urban gardeners!  

Would you love to grow your fresh herbs but don’t think your tiny home is big enough? Think again! When paired with the right herb garden designs, even the smallest apartment balcony, kitchen window sill, or patio can become a living, breathing green mecca. 

For those of you who are already a gardener or just getting started, here are some instructions on growing herbs small with vertical gardens, DIY projects, and container ideas. Let’s get herbs into the game and make your small room count! 

Why grow herbs in small spaces?

Herbs are small plants for tiny spaces. They’re small, adaptable, and super satisfying. Imagine picking basil for pasta or mint for tea straight from your little garden. And homegrown herbs save you money, cut down on plastic in store-bought containers, and bring a little greenery to your urban space. 

 1. Vertical Herb Gardens: Grow Up, Not Out

When you have little room, do it from above! The vertical herb garden is a wonder of small space. 

Benefits of Vertical Herb Gardens  

• Minimal Space: Use walls, fencing, or trellises to grow herbs without needing floor space. 

• Beauty: Make a living wall that’s also a decoration.

• Accessible: Grow herbs at eye level to harvest quickly. 

How to Make a Vertical Herb Garden.

• Attach it to hung pockets, wall planters, or pallets. 

• Pick plants such as thyme, oregano, and parsley that like to grow vertically. 

• Drain and give it sunlight for good growth. 

Tip: Grab one of these vertical garden kits (affiliate link) for a quick start! 

2. Window Sill Herb Gardens: Make Your Kitchen Spacious. 

Best Herbs for Window Sills  

• Basil: Suits the sun and can do very well in the house. 

• Chives: No maintenance and great for garnishing food. 

• Mint plants in pots and spritzer drinks with flavor. 

Tips for a Successful Window Sill Garden?

• Small pots or mason jars to make things compact. 

• Rotate pots constantly so all sunlight is distributed. 

• Drip herbs when the soil becomes very wet. 

Tip: Place a little tray under your pots so water doesn’t spill onto your window sill. 

3. Herb Garden Ideas You Can Make at Home 

You will love these herb garden DIY projects if you are a DIY enthusiast. 

Pallet Herb Gardens  

Turn an old wooden pallet into a Reno herb garden. You scrub the pallet pouf, put some soil on top, and grow your favorite plants. Push it against a wall or hang it on a tree for a romantic look. 

Mason Jar Herb Planters  

Mason jars are the way to go for herb gardens on a budget. Fill the jars with soil and plant rosemary, cilantro, or sage. You can wall mount them or use a shelf for the farmhouse look. 

Tip: label each herb with chalkboard labels so it’s customizable. 

4. Choosing the Right Herbs for Small Spaces

The herbs of small-space gardening aren’t all the same. Here are some top picks:  

• Small Herbs: Thyme, Oregano, Parsley. 

• Rapid-Burning Herbs: Basil, cilantro, and dill. 

• Evergreens: rosemary, mint, and chives (these return year after year!).  

5. The Little Things You Need to Know Before Growing Herbs in Small Spaces. 

• Solar Light: Most herbs require 6-8 hours of sunlight daily. Close them up to a window with a sunny light or grow lights. 

• Drainage: Provide drainage holes in pots to keep roots from rotting. 

• Herb Pruning: Cut herbs every year to make them bushier. 

10 pro tips to help you create a thriving herb garden

Pick the Right Herbs for Your Area. 

Not all herbs are made for miniature gardens. Choose short-growing, fast-growing species such as basil, thyme, parsley, and chives. Avoid spreading plants such as mint (even if potted) so they don’t encroach upon your garden. 

Use Vertical Space Wisely  

Get creative by vertical gardening your herbs. Put in wall-mounted planters, hanging baskets, or salvaged pallets. This not only saves space but also decorates your home or balcony.

Ensure Proper Drainage  

Herbs hate soggy roots! Always use pots with drain holes and a gravel or pebble underlayment to encourage water flow. If you’re using mason jars or similar holes in other containers, cut some by hand or only water very lightly. 

Prioritize Sunlight  

The majority of herbs need 6–8 hours of sunlight per day. Plant your herb garden by a south-facing window or on a sunny balcony. If natural light is in short supply, get cheap grow lights to keep your plants healthy. 

Start with Quality Soil  

Make sure it drains well in nutrient-rich, herb or vegetable potting soil. Avoid garden soil, which can be too complex and full of pests or diseases. 

Water Smartly  

Overwatering is a common mistake. Measure soil moisture with a finger about an inch down—dry is time to water. Rosemary and thyme are both thirsty; basil and mint like a little more moisture. 

Prune Regularly  

Trimming makes herbs bushier and won’t let them grow leggy. Trim the tops often, mainly if your plants are brisk, such as basil and cilantro. This also means you never run out of fresh herbs to cook with! 

Use Companion Planting  

Some herbs grow better together! Basil, parsley, etc., are great companions, but you should never put mint in with them (it’s invasive). Companion planting can deter pests, too, naturally. 

Rotate Your Pots  

If your herbs grow sloping, turn the pots around every couple of days so each side gets the same amount of sunlight. This is especially useful in window sill gardens where light might enter only from one direction. 

Harvest Often  

The more you harvest, the bigger your herbs. Cut every time from above a pair of leaves to make the shoots grow. Harvesting regularly also prevents flowers from emerging too soon and spoiling the herbs. 

Bonus Tip: Label Your Herbs  

Suppose you have several plant labels or labels to show what’s what. This is particularly beneficial for those new to herb gardening who do not recognize young plants.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)  

Q: Can I plant herbs indoors all year round? 

A: Absolutely! Ensure you have enough sunlight or grow lights to grow fresh herbs year-round. 

Q: What is the easiest herb for beginners? 

A: Basil and mint are great starting plants; they are easy to maintain and grow quickly. 

Q: When should I water my herbs? 

A: Water until the top inch of soil is dry. Overwatering can harm your plants.  

Conclusion  

Having an herb garden on a shoestring is possible but super rewarding. You can have a vertical garden or a window sill planting system or do it yourself with pallet or mason jar planters; do something simple and experimental. These herb garden design concepts can help you quickly grow fresh herbs inside your house, putting spice into your meals and foliage into your home. 

So what are you waiting for? So get out your pots and a handful of your favorite herbs, and start gardening in a small space today!