Healthy Home: 8 Fresh Ways to Plant Herbs

Bring your kitchen herb garden to life with fresh herbs housed in homespun containers

22 January 2015
Sydney based Houzz contributor and editor of Go Make Me blog featuring DIY, Food and Lifestyle projects
Sydney based Houzz contributor and editor of Go Make Me blog featuring DIY, Food... More
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Fresh herbs in salads or used as a seasoning can bring food to life. Most of us buy them on a regular basis, but they’re also very easy to grow. For me, I’d rather walk three paces to my herb pots than drive to the market to purchase coriander for my Thai beef salad. If you don’t have enough room for a garden, here are some ideas for growing herbs that don’t rely on much space. Save time and money growing your own and know they will always be fresh and at hand.
Contemporary Kitchen by Bonfigli Design
Bonfigli Design
In kitchen niches. This handy trough has been built into the kitchen island bench, providing the perfect place to house freshly-cut herbs, wine, oil and vinegar and drinks – it’s also a great way to get things off the counter! Add a little bit of water to the bottom of the trough, or if you’ve bought a herb plant with planter, you can add it as is.
Contemporary Kitchen by Ateliers Jacob
Ateliers Jacob
This handy kitchen herb garden makes great use of open shelving and an untapped kitchen recess. Line with your favourite aromatics and keep a couple of drawers free for fellow seasonings.
Contemporary by Go Make Me
Go Make Me
In upcycled containers. Herbs don’t always need to grow in the ground. Think about planting them in old loaf tins, Asian bamboo steamer baskets or small wooden crates (you will need to line them with plastic first). Group herbs in large cake tins to suit the style of cooking. For example, think oregano, thyme and rosemary for Italian seasonings; sage, tarragon or chervil for French seasonings.

We used individual muffin tins to plant several varieties of basil. A hole was drilled into the base for drainage, and some small pebbles were placed beneath the soil. The herbs happily sit on the window sill next to the stove and are within arm’s reach when cooking.

Read more: 10 Ways to Plant Outside the Box
Beach Style by A Beach Cottage
A Beach Cottage
Herbs and edible flowers can look pretty, too! Use lavender, sage, violets and chives, for example, that sprout dainty flowers for use in fresh salads, sauces, dressings or cooked meals. Create a beautiful floral arrangement by incorporating vintage enamel pots and other vintage items for ‘olde worlde’ charm.
by Tamsin Johnson
Tamsin Johnson
In old pots. If you do have the luxury of a balcony space – even if it is on the teeny side – bunch old plant pots together with a mix of different herbs. Try adding a couple of spreading herbs so that the leaves spill over the edge of the pot. Lovely.

TIP: If you’re planting outside, make sure you go for a good quality potting mix. Add lucerne or sugarcane mulch to help your herbs remain moist in the sunshine and the leaves will stay clean, even when faced with the elements.

Read more: How to Grow Edibles on Your Balcony
Contemporary Kitchen by Portico Design Group
Portico Design Group
In reclaimed jars. How about growing your herbs on the kitchen wall? As long as there’s plenty of light, your herbs will flourish.

This kitchen head-turner is an upcycler’s dream. Repurposed mason jars have been attached to aged timber panels. Position the jars on an angle so that the leaves don’t grow into each other, and hand write the herb name with a white paint marker.
Country Kitchen by Van Wicklen Design
Van Wicklen Design
In crates. It doesn’t need to be all about the plants. Arrange your herbs with other kitchen necessities in rustic crates that can hang from the wall. These nesting herb crates can be bought online, but you can also try a DIY. Choose crates in different sizes and drill a hole in each to wire a loop through. Hang each crate in ascending size order, attaching the wire loop to a picture hook. Finally, fill each one with herbs, platters, cookbooks, notepads or other everyday items for extra kitchen storage.
Contemporary Garden by Art | Harrison Interiors & Collection
Art | Harrison Interiors & Collection
Vertically. Short on garden space? Go up! Vertical gardens are all the rage at the moment, and for good reason. Not only do they give you a wall of greenery, but they also provide privacy and a tranquil backdrop.

Read more: How to Grow Edibles on Your Balcony
Contemporary Living Room by Arkee Creative
Arkee Creative
Here’s another example of a vertical garden. Use wire or steel piping attached to a brick wall and suspend ceramic herb pots to form an attractive geometric pattern.
Traditional Patio by Cornus Garden Design
Cornus Garden Design
Or attach your herb pots directly to the wall outside. These homeowners attached iron pot holders to the wall that now carry clay pots with a range of useful herbs, just a step from the kitchen door.
Contemporary Kitchen by Bright Green
Bright Green
And don’t let a lack of outdoor space deter you. These homeowners have sourced a custom mini vertical garden made of timber. It not only looks stunning but also very practical with fresh herbs close to the kitchen work space.
Eclectic Patio KESEM BOY * Interior Designs
Up high. Plants tend to dominate hanging planters or macrame pots, but why not fill them with herbs and edibles and give your home a health kick? Lettuce and rocket are great places to start – they’re both thirst plants, but don’t require too much sun or maintenance.

Read more: 14 Out-There Places to Grow Edibles
Contemporary by Go Make Me
Go Make Me
TELL US
Do you like to use fresh herbs in your cooking? Do you grow your own? Show us your planters and share your top tips in the Comments.

MORE PLANT TIPS
8 Essentials to Keeping Your Indoor Plants Alive and Thriving
How to Grow Tomatoes: An Easy Guide for Beginners
10 Easy Edibles to Put Into Pots
8 Ways House Plants Can Improve Your Health
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Andrea Walker
This is a challenge I am currently trying to solve as determined to have a kitchen herb garden. While many of these ideas look good I am concerned about watering and damage to floors. Currently looking at http://www.greensmartpots.com.au/ which looks good as far as self-watering and no dripping or overrunning on floor. Fortunately i have some deck floor space right by my kitchen. Any other ideas out there?
   
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Andrea Walker
Found the little hanging garden but alas sold out http://www.littleurbanfarmers.com.au/#!white-collection/cb6r. Can you share a link Angela Mayer?
   
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Janetneve3009
I love this idea, thanks @angela and @andrea. Andrea, I wouldn't be too worried about damage so long as you have an adequate planter. I've hung plants in macrame for the past 6 months and since the pot was sturdy there was no dripping to be seen!
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