You've probably heard that it's a good idea to garden in order to eat healthy fresh fruits and vegetables. But what if you don't have the space for a garden? Or what if you want to plant something but don't know where to start?
Don't worry, we're here to help. In this article, we'll give you nine fabulous herb garden designs that will show you just how easy it is to create your own herb garden—even if you only have a small amount of space.
What Are Popular Herb Garden Designs?
There are many different herb garden designs to choose from, so it can be tough to decide which one is right for you. To help make your decision a little easier, here are nine of the most popular herb garden designs:
1. Traditional Herb Garden
2. Formal Herb Garden
3. Container Herb Garden
4. Vertical Herb Garden
5. Hanging Herb Garden
6. Raised Bed Herb Garden
7. Spiral Herb Garden
8. Potted Herb Garden
9. Indoor Herb Garden
Layout Herb Garden Design Like A Pro
When planning your herb garden, we recommend you dedicate a space near your kitchen or backdoor for easy access to and maintenance of your herbs.
You can take a multiple-pronged approach to plan which plants will go where if you are just starting out. You can take this same approach to source potted plants.
First, think about which plants you definitely want to grow and make a list. Then plan on planting 3-5 of each type of plant you want to grow, and consider including multiple varieties per type of plant.
For example, we might want to include sage in our herb garden. In this case, we might buy one small culinary sage, one small tricolor sage (for beauty and interest), and one pineapple sage (to attract pollinators and to make a simple syrup with).
Next, draw out the space you’re planning to plant with herbs and map out what will go where.
When you map it out, don’t worry about drawing it to scale, or making it perfect. You can put the same types of plants in different locations in the garden and watch how they react.
This will teach you volumes about how different plants and even different varieties of the same plant grow differently depending on whether their light, water, and nutrient requirements are being met.
In the example of the three sages, we choose to put the pineapple sage in the back corner of the garden because it gets the biggest, blooms the latest, and we will harvest off of it the least frequently.
The tricolor sage we know flattens out to a 12” by 24” small plant and will be great in the middle of the garden.
We’ll mostly use it for small floral arrangements for the kitchen table, and it will not be harvested as frequently as the culinary sage. The culinary sage we’ll put up in front, but off to one side to frame the rest of the herbs or garden space.
Culinary sages can get bigger than the tricolor sage, but we want to be able to access them readily.
You can see there are many components and ways of thinking about laying out an herb garden to your taste. The main thing is to be prepared to move plants around, buy new ones each year, and have a ton of fun finding rare gems along the way (like strawberry mint!)
9 Fabulous Herb Garden Designs
There are many different ways to design an herb garden. Whether you are looking for ideas and garden layout, or you simply want to know more about the different types of herb gardens, this article will help.
The Traditional Herb Garden
The traditional herb garden is probably the most popular design, and it’s easy to see why. This type of garden is usually rectangular or square in shape, and it’s divided into sections for each type of herb.
When designing a traditional herb garden, it’s important to consider the different needs of each type of herb. Grouping herbs together that have similar requirements will make caring for them easier.
Most traditional herb gardens are laid in a few different ways to divide up the space: by type of herb, by sun exposure, or by growing conditions.
If you’re grouping herbs by type, you can put all the annual herbs in one section, the perennials in another, and the herbs that need partial shade in a third section.
If you’re grouping them by sun exposure, you can put all the herbs that need full sun in one section, the ones that need partial sun in another, and the ones that need shade in a third section.
And if you’re grouping them by growing conditions, you can put all the herbs that need moist soil in one section, the ones that need dry soil in another, and the ones that need acidic soil in a third section.
The Formal Herb Garden
The formal herb garden is similar to the traditional design, but it’s a little more structured. The herbs are usually arranged in geometric patterns, and the garden is often bordered with stone or bricks.
When creating a formal herb garden, there are a few things to keep in mind. First, you’ll need to decide on a layout.
Some popular designs include:
spiral garden design
checkerboard garden design
herringbone garden design
You can also create a more free-form garden using your own design.
Once you have your layout planned out, it’s time to choose your herbs. Be sure to choose herbs that will thrive in the type of garden you’re creating. For example, if you’re using a circular design, grow herbs like oregano and thyme that have small leaves and will look attractive when planted in clusters.
If you’re unsure which herbs to choose, check out our guide on the best medicinal herbs to grow.
Once you have your herbs picked out, it’s time to plant them!
Be sure to loosen the soil and add some compost or fertilizer before planting. Then, simply follow the instructions on the herb package for spacing and planting depth. Water well after planting, and then continue to water as needed during hot weather.
The Container Herb Garden
If you don’t have a lot of space, or if you want to be able to move your garden around, then a container herb garden might be right for you. This type of garden can be made from just about anything, from old buckets to repurposed dressers.
When laying out a container herb garden, it’s important to think about the herbs you want to grow and how much space they will need.
Some herbs, like mint, can take over a garden if not kept in check, so it’s best to plant them in their own container. Other herbs, like lavender, do well when planted in clusters.
When deciding on a layout for your herb garden, be sure to consider the sun exposure each herb needs. Some herbs, like basil, need lots of sun, while others, like chives, can tolerate partial shade.
The Vertical Herb Garden
If you’re short on space, then a vertical herb garden is a great option. You can make one out of a trellis, an old ladder, or even some PVC pipes.
When designing a vertical herb garden, it's important to consider the different needs of each herb. For example, some herbs, like cilantro or basil, need lots of sunlight, while others, like chives or mint, can grow in shadier spots.
One great way to lay out a vertical herb garden is to group similar herbs together. This makes it easier to care for them and also makes the garden look more organized. You can also mix in some taller plants with shorter ones to add visual interest.
Always water your herbs regularly, especially when the weather is hot. And if you're not going to be able to water them for a few days, be sure to use a soil moisture meter to check the soil moisture levels.
The Hanging Herb Garden
Another space-saving option is a hanging herb garden. This type of garden can be made out of anything that can hold soil, such as an old basket or pot.
When laying out a herb garden in a hanging basket or pot, it is important to think about the amount of space each herb will need. Some herbs, such as chives or parsley, only need a small amount of space, while others, like rosemary or lavender, need more room to grow.
Another thing to consider is the height of the herbs. Some herbs, like lavender, can grow quite tall and will need to be planted at the back of the basket or pot. Others, like basil, can be grown at the front of the garden.
By thinking about these things, you can create a layout for your herb garden that will allow each herb to grow and thrive.
The Raised Bed Herb Garden
If you have poor soil or want to keep your herbs away from pests, then a raised bed herb garden might be right for you. This type of garden is easy to build, and it can be made out of a variety of materials, including wood, stone, or even concrete.
When designing your raised bed herb garden, it's important to think about how you will use the space.
Will all of the herbs be in one bed, or will you have multiple beds?
Will they be in containers or planted in the ground?
Once you have decided on a layout, you can start planting.
If you are using a raised bed, make sure that the soil is healthy and fertile. You can add organic matter to the soil to help improve its quality. But be sure to water your herbs regularly.
The best way to water herbs regularly in a raised bed herb garden is by using a drip irrigation system. This system delivers water directly to the plant's roots, which helps to conserve water and prevents the herbs from becoming too wet.
The Spiral Herb Garden
If you want to add a little bit of whimsy to your herb garden, then try making a spiral garden. This type of garden is easy to make, and it looks really beautiful when it’s finished.
Common materials used to design a spiral herb garden include:
rocks
bricks
other materials that can form a spiral shape
You can also use plants such as ivy or other vines to help cover the spiral and add some color.
When laying out your herbs in a spiral garden, you’ll want to start with the larger plants in the middle and then work your way out to the smaller plants. This will help to create a beautiful and symmetrical garden. You can also use different colors and textures to add interest to the design.
One of the best things about spiral herb gardens is that they are very easy to water. All you need to do is pour a little water into the middle of the spiral, and it will slowly work its way out to the plants on the outside. This is a great thing to keep in mind if you are gardening in an area with limited water access.
The Potted Herb Garden
If you want to be able to move your herbs around, or if you live in an apartment and don’t have a lot of space, then a potted herb garden might be right for you. This type of garden is easy to care for, and it can be made out of just about any type of pot.
When designing your potted herb garden, it’s important to think about the layout. You want to ensure that the plants have enough space to grow and that they are in a spot where they will get plenty of sunlight. You might want to consider using a variety of different pot sizes and shapes to create interest.
One popular layout for a potted herb garden is to use a circular or square pot in the center, with several smaller pots around it. This allows you to plant a variety of herbs in different places and makes it easy to move the plants around if necessary. You can also use this layout if you have a limited number of pots.
Another option is to place taller plants in the back of the garden and shorter plants in the front. This will help create a more balanced look, and it will also make it easier to access the herbs.
The Indoor Herb Garden
If you want to grow herbs year-round, then an indoor herb garden might be right for you. This type of garden can be made out of a variety of containers, and it can be placed in just about any room in your home.
When it comes to layout, you have a few different options. You can either grow your herbs in a designated indoor herb garden, or you can mix them in with your other plants.
If you want to grow them in a designated indoor herb garden, you'll need to choose a spot with plenty of sunlight.
If you're going to mix them in with your other plants, try to pick a spot that gets plenty of sunlight as well.
Another thing to consider is the size of your container. If you're using a small pot, you'll need to plant fewer herbs. If you're using a large pot, you can plant more herbs. Just be sure to give each herb enough room to grow.
Pro tip: Indoor herb gardens need at least an inch of water per week depending on the temperature and light level of your house, but more is better as long as you are consistent and don't flood the herbs.
Conclusion
There are many different types of herb gardens, each with its own benefits and drawbacks.
The three most popular types of herb gardens are the spiral garden, the potted garden, and the indoor garden. No matter which type you choose, it's important to think about the layout of your plants and to make sure they get plenty of sunlight.
If you're interested in learning more about herb gardening, or if you need help designing and planting your herb garden, then consider our garden mentorship program. Our experts can help you create a beautiful and functional herb garden that will be perfect for your home.
Herb Garden Designs Related Questions
How do I arrange my herb garden?
There are many different ways to arrange your herb garden. You can choose to grow your herbs in a designated herb garden, or you can mix them in with your other plants. You can also choose to grow them in a spiral, potted, or indoor garden. Additional ideas include arranging your herbs in a circular or square pot or in several smaller pots.
How do I make a beautiful herb garden?
There are many different ways to make a beautiful herb garden. Some tips include choosing the right location, using a variety of pot sizes and shapes, and planting taller plants in the back and shorter plants in the front. Some additional tips for making a beautiful herb garden include using colorful pottery, adding decorative stones or gravel, and planting herbs with different textures and colors. You can also add a trellis or arbor to your garden to create a more whimsical look
What herbs go best planted together?
Some herbs that go well together include basil, oregano, rosemary, sage, and thyme. These herbs all have similar growing requirements and will benefit from being planted near each other. Other herbs that can be planted together include chives, cilantro, dill, and parsley.
Do herb gardens like sun or shade?
Most herbs need at least six hours of sunlight daily, but some can tolerate partial shade. Herbs that prefer partial shade include chives, cilantro, mint, and parsley. Herbs that can tolerate full sun include basil, oregano, rosemary, sage, and thyme.
Herb Garden
Kellan MacKay
