25 Best Herb Garden Ideas & Designs

25 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.

This guide is packed with creative inspirations to help you get started. Let’s dive in!

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.

Balcony Herb Planters

If you’ve got a balcony, you’ve got an herb garden waiting to happen! Railing planters, hanging baskets, and small pots are all perfect ways to maximize your space while growing herbs like basil, chives, dill, and mint. It’s amazing how much you can grow in a small area.

Vertical Herb Gardens

Vertical planters are a game-changer for small spaces! Let’s explore a group of vertical planter ideas below!

Stacked Herb Planters

This attractive vertical planter is great for growing herbs and veggies indoors and outdoors. It’s like a mini-herb condo with everyone living in their ideal spot.

Strawberry Pot Herb Planter

Strawberry pots like this are so cute and practical for herbs! With their multiple openings, you can tuck different herbs into each pocket — it’s great for small space and looks amazing on your patio or balcony.

Hanging Herb Garden Using a Shoe Organizer

I know it sounds quirky, but using a shoe organizer for herbs is pure genius! Each pocket becomes a mini planter, and it’s perfect for small spaces. Just hang it on a wall or balcony rail, and you’ve got a vertical herb garden that’s both fun and functional. Tutorial here.

Recycled Tin Can Herb Garden

Don’t toss those big oatmeal or coffee cans — they make fantastic herb planters! A few drainage holes and some fresh soil can turn them into charming little herb pots with a rustic vibe. Via Simple Bites

Pallet Herb Garden

Turning a wooden pallet into a vertical herb garden is so satisfying! Just attach some landscape fabric to the back, fill the slats with soil, and plant your herbs. It’s space-saving, eco-friendly, and looks fabulous. Tutorial here.

Farmhouse Metal Tub Herb Garden

I absolutely love the rustic charm of herbs planted in a metal tub. It’s such a cozy farmhouse vibe, and grouping several herbs together in one tub makes for a lush and inviting display. Tutorial here.

Vertical Shelf Planter Herb Garden

Vertical planters are a lifesaver for small gardens and patios! In her book Vertical Vegetables, Amy shares many creative ways to make your own vertical planters.

Indoor Wall Herb Garden

Bringing your herb garden indoors is so much fun! A DIY wall-mounted garden in your kitchen keeps fresh herbs within arm’s reach — plus, it looks amazing. Tutorial here.

Indoor Herb Garden Kit

If you’re into cool gadgets, a tabletop hydroponic kit is seriously awesome. It’s the easiest way to grow herbs indoors — no soil, no mess, and your herbs thrive all year round.

Windowsill Indoor Herb Garden

The classic indoor windowsill herb garden comes in many styles. You can find them here and here. It’s perfect for sunny kitchen windows, and compact herb plants like basil, parsley, and chives thrive in those cozy little pots. Cooking with fresh herbs has never been easier!

With these ideas, you can create a herb garden that’s not only practical but also a delightful feature in your outdoor or indoor space. When you get a huge harvest, try these tips on how to dry your own herbs or a great hack on how to make an herb wreath so easily!

Happy gardening and see you soon!