Growing herbs in your kitchen is a rewarding way to have fresh ingredients right at your fingertips. But not just any planter will do for kitchen herb gardens. You’ll want something charming that fits your decor and is designed for culinary herbs. This guide covers tips for choosing charming planters that are perfect for indoor or outdoor kitchen herb gardens.
Why Have a Kitchen Herb Garden
Herbs bring immense flavor and aroma to cooking. Being able to snip off a few fresh leaves just before adding them to a dish makes all the difference. A kitchen herb garden gives you easy access to popular culinary herbs like basil, thyme, rosemary, mint, cilantro, oregano, chives, parsley, dill, and more.
Beyond flavor, many herbs also provide health benefits. For example, mint can aid digestion, parsley contains antioxidants, and rosemary may boost brain function. Having fresh herbs within arm’s reach makes it simple to get these bonuses.
Growing a kitchen herb garden also allows you to control the quality of your herbs. You’ll know exactly where they came from and that no pesticides were used. Plus, homegrown herbs are fresher and more nutrient-dense since you use them right after picking.
Benefits of Charming Herb Planters
While any container can technically grow herbs, choosing charming planters designed for the kitchen provides several advantages:
Aesthetic Appeal
Part of what makes a container “charming” is that it looks lovely on your countertop, hanging from a ceiling hook, placed in a window sill, or arranged elsewhere in your kitchen. Charming herb planters have an aesthetic appeal that enhances the decor.
Fit for Culinary Use
Planters meant for kitchen herb gardens are shaped and sized appropriately. They allow for adequate drainage and airflow to keep herbs happy and healthy in an indoor environment. The materials are food-safe and won’t leach anything into edible plants.
Convenient for Cooking
Kitchen herb planters place herbs within easy reach of where you cook. Their design makes it simple to cut, pluck, or pinch the herbs you need. Some even have built-in scissors or herb stripper tools.
Add Decor as Well as Function
While functional for growing herbs, charming kitchen planters also become decorative elements. They don’t look out of place if left on the counter or displayed as part of your kitchen’s style.
Made to Last
Quality herb planters hold up well through daily use and frequent watering. Though charming, they are durable and built to maintain their beauty.
Indoor vs. Outdoor Kitchen Herb Planters
You’ll find charming planters designed for growing herbs in the kitchen indoors or outdoors. Consider the lighting and climate for your garden when deciding which is better for your needs:
Indoor Herb Planters
Indoor planters help herbs thrive inside the home where there is low light and stable temperatures. Features like drainage holes and saucers prevent overwatering. Self-watering options also work well for maintaining herbs inside. Consider indoor planters for kitchens without much sun exposure or colder climates where herbs need shelter in winter.
Outdoor Herb Planters
Planters intended for outdoor use resist weather fluctuations. Look for UV-resistant materials that won’t fade in sunlight and porous terracotta that survives freezing. Outdoor planters often have wide, sturdy bases providing stability on porches, patios, and decks. If bringing pots in winter, see if they are rated for temperature changes first.
Features to Look for in Charming Herb Planters
Here are some top features that make planters perfectly suited for kitchen herb gardens:
Drainage Holes
Excess moisture is the enemy of most edible herbs. Planters designed for culinary herbs include drainage holes in the bottom to prevent soggy soil and root rot. Matching saucers catch overflow without keeping roots saturated.
Self-Watering Mechanisms
Options like built-in water reservoirs and wicking systems maintain an optimal level of moisture between waterings. Self-watering planters are excellent choices for kitchens since herbs thrive on consistently damp but not soaked soil.
Tiered or Stackable Design
Multi-level planters increase growing capacity without taking up more countertop or floor space. Tiered and stackable planters keep different herbs together while neatly separating them.
Attached Herb Strippers
Special strips attached to planter edges make harvesting herbs a breeze. Run your fingers down the textured strip to easily strip off leaves. Some herb strippers are even built into scissors for snipping as you season food.
Small Footprint
Planters with a minimal footprint keep your kitchen looking uncluttered. Compact rectangular window boxes, corner planters, or vertically-oriented pots take up little precious countertop real estate.
Aesthetic Style
Today’s herb planters come in gorgeous styles matching any kitchen decor. Find colors, materials, and designs that complement your cabinets, appliances, backsplash, and other features.
Food Safe
Ensure planter materials like wood, metal, ceramic, and plastic are food safe and won’t leach chemicals. Look for labels indicating if pots are FDA approved, food grade, BPA free, etc.
10 Charming Planters for Kitchen Herb Gardens
Here are 10 charming planter options that are perfect for growing culinary herbs in your kitchen:
1. Painted Terra Cotta Pots
Give basic terra cotta pots a makeover by painting them in bright colors or decorative patterns. Choose food safe acrylic paints designed for ceramics. Terra cotta’s natural porosity helps prevent overwatering. Just be sure to seal the interior if using outdoors.
2. Hanging Glass Terrariums
Glass terrariums with metal hangers display tiny herb gardens anywhere without taking up counter space. The clear glass lets light filter in from all directions. A fitted cork top or closeable door seals in moisture.
3. Wooden Window Boxes
Line a sunny kitchen window with a charming wooden window box. The long narrow shape maximizes light exposure for herbs. Paint or stain the wood to coordinate with your kitchen’s color palette. Add drainage holes if using indoors.
4. Concrete Geometric Planters
Modern geometric concrete planters have a cool urban vibe. Their blocky silhouette works with both contemporary and farmhouse kitchens. Concrete’s weight provides stability and its neutral tone balances brightly colored herbs.
5. Whimsical Animal Planters
For a playful planter, choose pots shaped like animals, birds, turtles, or ladybugs. Use one large animal pot for a full herb garden or a collection of small critters for a few herbs in each.
6. Metal Buckets or Cans
Galvanized metal tubs, buckets, and cans are a versatile option for indoor or outdoor growing. Opt for food-safe options or line with food-grade plastic before planting. Their utilitarian look suits casual herb gardens.
7. DIY Repurposed Tea Tins
Upcycle used tea tins by punching drainage holes in the bottom and decorating the outside. The metal keeps light and moisture levels steady for herbs. Arrange eclectic printed tins in a row or group for a shabby chic vibe.
8. Stackable Rail Planters
Stacking rail planters clamp onto rails installed on a kitchen wall or inside a cabinet to utilize vertical space. Rails come in various lengths to accommodate small to large herb gardens. Use them inside or on railings outdoors.
9. Earthenware Pots with Handles
Classically shaped earthenware pots with handles add unfussy charm to kitchen herb gardens. Their traditional styling suits cottage kitchens. Choose muted solid colors to complement an array of herbs.
10. Self-Watering Plastic Planters
Plastic self-watering planters like commonly available Terra Cotta brand options combine functionality and charm. Their built-in water reservoir hydrates herbs without being an eyesore. Clean modern lines suit contemporary decors.
Caring for Herbs in Charming Planters
The right planter goes a long way toward growing thriving kitchen herbs, but proper care is essential too:
- Choose herbs suited to container gardening including parsley, thyme, basil, mint, rosemary, oregano, chives, and cilantro.
- Select the largest planter size your space allows. Bigger pots retain more moisture and have room for herbs to spread roots.
- Use commercial potting mix instead of garden soil which can get waterlogged. Opt for mix formulated for containers.
- Only plant together herbs with similar light and water needs. For example, group sun-loving Mediterranean herbs together.
- Water when the top inch of soil becomes dry. Established herbs only need watering every few days. Overwatering causes root rot.
- If drainage is slow, add pebbles or stones beneath the soil to improve it. Let saucers drain fully after watering.
- Pinch off flower buds to encourage leaf growth. Prune herbs often to direct energy into foliage.
- Turn planters weekly so all sides get even sun exposure. Rotate indoor plants between windowsills.
- Watch for pests like aphids or whiteflies indoors. Control with neem oil or insecticidal soap sprays.
Get Creative with Charming Herb Planters
Looking for more unique herb planter ideas? Here are some creative approaches to try:
- Upcycle kitchen gear like colanders, watering cans, or utensil holders into charming herb pots.
- Use teacups, mugs, or pots as mini-planters on windowsills or tabletop herb gardens.
- Pair larger containers with smaller accessory pots around them for a mix of herbs.
- Elevate standard pots on plant stands, crates, ladders, or staircase steps.
- Instead of soil, fill shallow trays or troughs with pebbles and water to grow microgreens or sprouts.
- For indoor growing, install shelving units that hold multiple planters to maximize space.
- Use self-contained hydroponic or aquaponic kits that rely on water instead of soil.
- Incorporate fun themes like an Italian herb garden, salsa garden, tea herb collection, or windowsill spice selection.
FAQs About Charming Herb Planters
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about choosing and using charming planters for kitchen herb gardens:
What size planter do I need for herbs?
For proper herb growth, use at least a 10-12 inch container or larger if possible. Bigger is better to allow adequate room for root expansion and moisture retention.
How often should indoor herb planters be watered?
Most herbs prefer the soil to dry out some between watering. Aim to water indoor herb planters every 3-4 days once plants are established. Adjust as needed based on your climate and planter drainage.
What herbs can I grow together in one planter?
Choose herbs with similar sunlight and watering needs to grow together successfully. For example, basil, oregano, thyme, and marjoram tolerate drought well. Mint, parsley, chives, and cilantro like consistent moisture more.
Should I use potting mix or garden soil in herb planters?
Potting mixes formulated specifically for containers work best. They resist compaction and provide the drainage herbs need. Regular garden soil often stays overly damp when used in pots.
Can I use decorative pots without drainage holes for herbs?
It’s best to avoid non-draining containers. Drilling holes yourself is an option, just avoid damaging the bottom exterior. For non-drillable pots, try using a small nursery container inside instead.
What type of planter is easiest for indoor herb gardening?
Self-watering planters take much of the guesswork out of growing herbs inside. Options like self-contained hydroponic kits are also easy and productive for indoor gardening.
How do I clean used herb planters between plantings?
Scrub indoor pots to sanitize them before replanting. Use a weak bleach solution (1 part bleach to 9 parts water) or hot soapy water for thorough cleaning. Avoid harsh chemicals that could leach into edibles later.
Can I grow herbs in decorative outdoor pots year-round?
Outdoor herb planters often need shelter or replanting for winter. Ensure the pot material is rated for freezing and thawing.Bring containers indoors over winter or replant with frost-tolerant herbs like parsley or thyme.
What lighting do indoor herb planters need?
While most herbs want full sun outdoors, indoors they need a bright, sunny window. Use supplemental grow lights if sunlight is inadequate. Rotate planters occasionally for even exposure.
Enjoy an Abundant Kitchen Herb Garden
Adding charming planters tailored for culinary herbs makes growing your own kitchen garden a pleasure. Choose styles matching your decor that keep herbs thriving and within easy reach. With proper care and favorable growing conditions, you’ll have an abundant supply of garden-fresh herbs at your fingertips!