The Best Herb Garden Kits According to a Master Gardener (2024)

Updated November 1, 2022

These clever jar kits take the top spot because our tester found them easy to use, attractive, and quite productive. The kit includes everything you need to start a windowsill herb garden: non-GMO seeds, a jar, a stainless steel net pot and fabric wick, grow medium, and plant food. The only thing you need to add is water (and sun). Our tester was able to grow several rounds of herbs in each jar, and enjoyed tending to this easy-to-maintain mini garden. The instructions are straightforward and thoughtful, and the jars don't require a lot of space.

The jars use a simple hydroponics system to keep plants well-watered and minimize your effort. The translucent jar makes it easy to see when you need to water. Make sure your jar in place somewhere with plenty of sun, otherwise your herbs may get leggy. Select from basil, rosemary, parsley, cilantro, mint, or lavender (we tested the basil, mint, and cilantro).

This starter kit includes organic heirloom seeds in a wooden planter box with everything you need right at your fingertips. It’s about as sustainable as you can get with burlap grow bags, bamboo plant markers, and soil discs (similar to seedsheets) that will fill out the grow space just by adding water. You even use the box it all comes in as a holder.

This kit includes seeds for growing cilantro, thyme, parsley, and basil. You’ll want to set this up in a sunny spot and water as needed (usually when the soil is dry to the touch). This kit would make a great housewarming gift or present for the gardener in your life—even if that means a gift for yourself!

This kit comes with a collection of 5 herb seed varieties, reusable bamboo pots with drainage holes and water tray, wooden markers, peat, and fertilizer. At under $40, it’s an excellent value. The illustrated instructions make set up easy, and Home Grown also offers customer support if you need additional help. The seeds are non-GMO and sourced from the United States. This could be a great project for kids, or a good starting place for someone who’s never gardened before.

AeroGarden is a well-respected name in the gardening world. The company has been around for years, offering compact, in-home solutions for those who want to garden year-round. The system uses little grow pods, no soil required. This specific model holds up to six pods, including parsley, basil, dill, thyme, mint, and Thai basil.

With a control panel that tells you when to add water and food (a bottle of plant nutrients is included), it really takes out any guesswork. The hydroponic method will get you results up to five times faster than soil, and when one pod is done growing, you can just remove it and replace it with another. You can find plenty of pod options, like this salad greens mix, all non-GMO.

This pretty pot is designed to serve two purposes. First, it’s a scented soy wax candle, that will add a cozy glow to any room. Once the candle has burned down, repurpose the pot by planting herb seeds. The kit includes everything needed to sprout fresh herbs: grow medium, seeds, a coconut coir disc for germination, and plant fertilizer. In addition to the herb option, the Glow & Grow kit is also available as an aloe or daisy option.

When you’re challenged by a lack of gardening space, going vertical is always a good option to consider. This garden tower is a stackable system you can use both inside and out to really maximize your space. Plus, it’s a smart way to conserve water since it benefits from a trickle-down watering system.

This pot can hold up to 20 plants, giving you a full-fledged herb garden without using up much floor space, but it doesn't include soil or seeds. Choose the seeds or plants you want, but for optimal success, consider starting off with small plants, allowing you to start harvesting your herbs right away. It would also be perfect for growing strawberries.

Final Verdict

Frequently Asked Questions

• How do you use an herb growing kit?

  Most herb growing kits come the instructions you need to get growing. Some also come with all the seeds, soil or grow medium, and fertilizer required to get started. You’ll add water, plant the seeds, and place them in a sunny spot or under a grow light. Depending in the needs of the type of herb you choose to grow, you’ll want to add water and fertilizer regularly.

• Do indoor herb gardens work?

  Yes! If you don’t neglect them. Make sure your herb kit has plenty of light, the right amount of water, and isn’t in a spot that gets cold.Check out our list of herbs that are easy to grow from seed.

• Are herb kits worth it?

  Homegrown herbs taste better than what you might find at the store, and growing your own means you can avoid any unnecessary plastic packaging.

  An indoor kit might not save you much much money if you’re using a lot of fresh herbs in your cooking. However, if you are the kind of person who finds yourself with wilted or spoiled herbs in the back of the fridge, then a living plant that says in view (reminding you to water it) just might save you money—because you don’t have to use up the herbs in your planter at any particular time. Just let them continue to grow!

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