20 DIY herb garden ideas for indoor & outdoor such as best designs, layout, spirals, kitchen & medicinal herbs, vertical planters, kits, etc!
Have you ever dreamed of picking fresh basil for your pasta, rosemary for roasted veggies, or chamomile tea straight from your garden? Creating an outdoor or indoor herb garden can be such a rewarding experience, and there are so many fun ways to get creative with it.
From classic kitchen gardens to playful herb spirals, from vertical garden planters to repurposed containers, whether you have a big backyard, a tiny balcony, or just a sunny windowsill, there’s an herb garden idea that’s perfect for you.
Classic Kitchen Herb Garden Designs
I absolutely love the charm of this classic kitchen herb garden! There’s something so comforting about having tidy little patches of basil, parsley, and thyme just steps from your kitchen door. Raised beds are great for herb and vegetable gardens. Here are 28 best DIY raised bed garden ideas for you!
Formal Garden Designs
Don’t you just adore those picture-perfect formal gardens? With their neat geometric shapes, crisp boxwood borders, and tidy pathways, they look straight out of a fairy tale. They such elegance to your outdoor space, and it’s surprisingly easy to achieve with a little planning. If you love beautiful designs, check out these 25 inspiring vegetable garden design ideas!
How to plant a herb garden
Here’s a simple trick by Art of Wondering — use string to lay out your garden design before planting! Whether you’re aiming for perfect rows or playful curves, string helps you map everything out just right. It’s like sketching your dream garden right on the ground!
Herb Garden Layout
In the above photo and drawing from the book The Complete Kitchen Garden, we can see how dividing a circle into four quadrants creates such a bold and beautiful focal point. Imagine filling each section with different herbs, and adding a sundial or a cute garden statue in the middle for that extra “wow” factor. We also have more garden layout ideas here you may enjoy
Four Quadrant Garden Layout
Here‘s another great kitchen garden design example of the 4 quadrant layout.
Square Foot Herb Gardens
If you’re short on space, a square foot garden is pure magic! Each little square becomes its own tiny herb kingdom — one for rosemary, one for basil, one for thyme… and before you know it, you’ve got a lush herb paradise that’s easy to maintain and super productive.
Plant Herbs Between Stepping Stones
Here‘s an idea perfect for adding a whimsical touch to your garden. Planting low-growing herbs like creeping thyme between stepping stones not only looks amazing but also fills the air with lovely aromas every time you step through the path. It’s pure garden magic!
Flowering Herbs Along Garden Path
Imagine strolling down a garden path lined with flowering lavender… dreamy, right? Not only does it look stunning, but the scent is just heavenly. Lavender thrives in sunny spots, making it the perfect choice to add color and fragrance to your walkway. Via Lynn Marcus
Herbs are also great for companion planting in a vegetable garden. They add biodiversity and attract beneficial insects! Companion planting chart via This Unbound Life
Medicinal Herb Gardens
If you’ve ever wanted your own natural remedy garden, look at this beautiful design from Jekkas. Herbs like echinacea, calendula, and chamomile are perfect choices. I love having these healing plants nearby — it’s like having a mini apothecary right in your backyard!
Herb Planters and Spirals
Next, we will explore some really creative planters and spirals which are great for small gardens and apartment balconies.
Culinary Herb Garden Ideas
A dedicated culinary herb garden is every cook’s dream! Go-to kitchen staples include rosemary, thyme, oregano, and mint. Keep them close to the kitchen so it’s easy to grab fresh herbs while cooking.
Stacked Brick Herb Spiral
Here‘s a great example of DIY herb spirals! They’re not just charming — they’re genius too. The top stays nice and dry for herbs like rosemary, while the bottom is perfect for moisture-loving plants like mint.
Herb Spiral Design Ideas
Pro tip: When you build your herb spiral, place sun-loving, drought-tolerant herbs like oregano and sage near the top. The middle is great for plants that like moderate moisture, and the bottom is perfect for water-lovers like mint. This smart design idea came from permaculture, here’s a great book if you want to dive deeper.
Creative Herb Garden Design Patterns
For something truly eye-catching, try a star-shaped herb garden! Using river rocks to outline the star adds such a natural and artistic touch. Planting herbs with contrasting colors makes the pattern pop even more — it’s like a living masterpiece.
Window Box Herb Planter
Who can resist this cute window box? Filling one with hardy herbs like thyme, oregano, and rosemary creates a charming display — and it’s so convenient to snip fresh herbs right from your kitchen window.
