21 Herb Garden Ideas for Small Spaces (Layouts and Planters)

The simplest herb garden is a row of matching 4 to 6 inch terracotta pots along a south or west sill. Each herb gets its own pot and saucer, so you can water the thirsty ones (basil, parsley) more often than the dry-loving ones (thyme, oregano). Clay also wicks extra water away from roots, which helps beginners who tend to overwater.

A three-tier stand fits more herbs into one square foot of floor next to a glass door. Put the sun lovers, like basil, on the top shelf and the more shade-tolerant herbs, like chives and parsley, lower down. Rolling stands are handy because you can follow the sun as the seasons change.

Love a pretty ceramic pot without a hole? Use it as a cover. Keep the herb in its plastic nursery pot with drainage holes, set it inside on a layer of gravel, and lift it out to water in the sink. You get the look without roots sitting in water, the most common way indoor herbs die.

Railing planters use space that would otherwise sit empty. Choose boxes with brackets made for your railing width, and set them on the inside of the rail so nothing can fall to the street below. A 6 to 8 inch deep box suits thyme, oregano, chives and parsley.

Felt pocket planters hang on a wall or fence and hold a dozen small herbs in a few square feet. They suit shallow-rooted herbs like parsley, chives, thyme and mint. Felt dries quickly, so plan to water more often, and put a tray or a plant below to catch drips.

A ladder shelf holds pots at staggered heights, so the back row isn't shaded by the front. It also leans against a wall without screws, which suits renters. Put rosemary and sage on the lower, wider steps, since they grow into larger shrubs over time.

Creeping thyme, trailing oregano and prostrate rosemary spill softly over the edge of a hanging basket. Baskets free up floor space and catch more sun when hung high. Coir liners dry fast, so mix a little compost into the potting soil and water deeply.

Rosemary, sage, thyme and Greek oregano all come from dry, sunny hillsides and want the same care, so they share a wide, shallow bowl happily. Use a gritty potting mix, give them full sun and let the soil dry between waterings. It is a whole herb garden in one pot.

A half barrel holds enough soil for a rosemary in the center with parsley, chives, thyme and basil around the edge. Big containers stay moist longer and protect roots from heat. Drill drainage holes if yours doesn't have them, and set it where you want it before filling, because it will be heavy.

One pot per step turns a plain staircase into a herb garden you pass every day. Keep a clear walkway, and put the herbs you cut most often, like chives and parsley, closest to the door. Steps usually get good light because nothing shades them.

Strawberry pots have side pockets that fit small herbs like thyme, oregano, chives and parsley, with a larger plant on top. They are a pretty way to grow six or more herbs in one footprint. Water slowly from the top and into each pocket, because these pots dry out fast.

Grow bags are light, cheap and fold away in winter. A 3 to 5 gallon bag suits basil, dill or cilantro, which grow quickly and get bigger than you expect. The fabric lets roots breathe, but it also dries out faster than plastic, so water often in summer.

Mint spreads by runners and will take over any pot it shares. Give it a wide container of its own, and keep it off bare soil, where runners can escape through the drainage hole. Spearmint and peppermint both grow well in part sun and like steady moisture.

A raised planter on legs is a small raised bed at waist height, so there is no bending and no ground needed. Plant herbs in rows, taller ones at the back. Look for untreated cedar or a lined box, and note the depth: 8 inches or more suits most herbs.

Self-watering planters hold a reservoir under the soil, so thirsty herbs like basil, parsley and cilantro stay evenly moist through hot weeks. They are a big help if you travel or forget to water. Skip them for rosemary and thyme, which prefer to dry out.

Lemon balm, peppermint and German chamomile grow together in a large pot and are classic picks for home tea. Chamomile wants full sun; mint and lemon balm handle a bit of shade. Dry the leaves and flowers with our guide on how to dry herbs at home.

Let a few herbs bloom and bees will find them. Chives, thyme and oregano flowers attract pollinators even on a high balcony. Keep a second pot of the same herbs for cutting, since leaves get tougher once plants flower.

Only 3 to 4 hours of sun? Parsley, mint, chives and chervil still grow, just a little more slowly. Leave the sun lovers (basil, rosemary, thyme) for a brighter spot. Shady pots dry out more slowly, so water less often.

The best herb garden design for a small space is often just smart grouping. Put the dry-loving Mediterranean herbs together in the sunniest spot, and the thirsty herbs together where you can water them easily. You water each group the way it likes, and nothing gets drowned or parched.