The Best Herb Garden Kits

Gardening is a relaxing, rewarding pastime. Caring for growing things, like a delicious herb garden, takes attention and effort, especially when it involves trekking into your backyard to water and sun your seeds. But, thanks to the demand for convenience, you can now purchase an indoor growing kit for faster, fresher, kitchen-to-table herbs.

Buying Guide for Herb Garden Kits

Why invest in an herb-growing kit? 

Who doesn’t love fresh-from-the-soil herbs over store-bought? With a single purchase (at a fair price), you’ll receive a fast-growing garden kit that’s reusable—no need to hit up the grocery store every time you’re craving your favorite Margherita pizza with fresh basil or a nice mojito. Some indoor kits include automatic lighting and watering systems, meaning all you have to do is set a timer. Indoor gardens will add color to your kitchen windowsill, accent table, or office. Herbs will grow healthily and happily without much fuss or attention.

What should you consider before buying your kit?

• Manual or Automatic: This depends on how much time and effort you want to put into your indoor garden. If you’re not home much (or tend to forget about your plants), an automatic garden will put your mind at ease and maintain your herbs for you. These models usually feature automatic on/off functions, timed lighting, and watering for an easier, program-and-go experience. If you work from home or enjoy tending to gardens, you might enjoy a manual option requiring you to water and reposition your herbs in the sun throughout the week.
• Size and Shape: Are you looking for something simple and understated that serves its purpose, or do you want your indoor herb garden to add a certain aesthetic to your space? It’s up to you, and there are options for either. You can go the traditional potted plant route, which usually includes cardboard planter cups resembling mini terracotta planters. Or you can create a more modern vibe with a rectangular, electronic planter box in metal and plastic finishes.
• Seeds to Sow: Last and most importantly, what do you want to grow? Most herb garden kits include at least five seed options, with popular herbs like oregano, basil, thyme, and parsley. Some have everything but seeds, which works for those looking forward to picking out each herb. Oh, and how can we forget cocktail herbs? You can grow your own natural drink toppers with an indoor herb kit. Simply decide whether or not you want to choose your seeds before buying.

What types of herbs grow best in indoor gardens?

You can easily and quickly grow most herbs indoors if you ensure the conditions are right for whatever you’re growing. These are some of the best ones to grow in your indoor herb garden:

• Lemon balm
• Mint
• Parsley
• Dill
• Rosemary
• Sage
• Cilantro
• Tarragon

Our Picks for the Best Herb Garden Kits

Pros: This herb garden kit has numerous advantages that make it an attractive choice for anyone looking to start their own indoor herb garden. It offers an easy and convenient way to begin growing herbs right in your own home, as it comes with everything that’s needed to get started, including seeds for five commonly used herbs (basil, cilantro, thyme, parsley, and sage), soil, plant markers, and detailed instructions. This makes it a perfect option for those who are new to gardening or who don’t have much experience with growing plants. The compostable pots and packaging also make this kit an eco-friendly choice.

Cons: While this herb garden kit has many advantages, there are also some potential downsides. One possible drawback is that the seeds may require grow lights for optimal growth, especially in areas with limited natural light. Additionally, some users have found the instructions to be confusing regarding the use of fertilizer. Finally, overwatering can cause mold issues with the soil disks, so avoid adding too much water at once.

Bottom Line: If you’re just growing your own herbs, this could be the herb kit for you. It’s got everything you need right off the bat to start planting as soon as it arrives. It also makes a great gift for anyone who loves gardening and cooking and is passionate about sustainability.

 

Pros: Cocktail herbs? Cheers to that! In a unique kit from Plant Theatre, you’ll receive six specially selected herb seeds, six pots, peat discs, and markers, and a book of 18 recipes created by an award-winning mixologist to get you started on your eclectic adult drinks. Grow one herb at a time, or all four, choosing from cucamelon, blue borage, lime basil, hyssop, lemon balm, and mint, all great additions to cocktails. These types of herbs also look great growing—just place them on your kitchen window sill or your back porch on a nice day, and enjoy.

Cons: It may take longer than anticipated to see any signs of plant growth, so patience is key! You should see sprouts within the first two to three weeks. Just keep in mind that different seeds may grow at different rates.

Bottom Line: This is basically a cocktail growing kit, making it a unique gift for someone who loves entertaining or simply appreciates a refreshing drink in the evening. Add a little water (and patience), and get ready to channel your inner mixologist!

 

Pros: This AeroGarden herb kit is perfect for growing fresh herbs indoors all year round, even in cold, harsh mountain climates. It’s easy to set up and use, with seeds that germinate and grow quickly, producing lush herbs that take over your kitchen. The bright LED grow lights come on automatically, ensuring your plants get enough light to thrive. Additionally, the system reminds you when to add more water or plant food, making maintenance a breeze. The guide that comes with the kit lets you know how to trim each type of herb, so they keep growing properly.

Cons: The pod kit that comes with the herb garden may not be quite up to snuff due to the potential lack of padding inside and bent stickers that don’t prevent light from entering. The bright LED lights can be irritating at times, and some of the herbs, like dill, grow much faster than others and may block the light for everything else. And the set as a whole is much more expensive than the average herb garden kit.

Bottom Line: This high-end herb growing kit is a handy addition to any home that loves fresh herbs. It’s easy to set up, plant, and maintain, a great investment for anyone who has the money to spare loves fresh herbs, and wants to enjoy them year-round with minimal effort.

 

Pros: This herb garden kit was designed specifically to rest on a home’s windowsills, which makes it an ideal option for anyone with a small living space. It’s compact, easy to use, and includes individual pots for each herb, plus a handy market for each pot. It also comes with a guide for growing and maintaining herbs, which can be helpful for those who are new to gardening. You get a good number of seeds—nine packets total, each a different variety of herb—which includes several herbs not commonly seen in the average herb garden kit, such as mustard.

Cons: Some customers have reported issues with the plastic pots cracking or breaking easily. Others found the instruction booklet overwhelming, making it more difficult to set up and use the herb garden kit properly, especially if you aren’t an experienced gardener.

Bottom Line: Don’t worry about not having room to grow your herbs, even if you live in a dorm or small studio apartment; with this herb starter kit, the only spare space you need is a windowsill. This kit is a simple, space-saving way to add a splash of color and life to spice up your plate and space.

 

Pros: If your style is more contemporary, you just might fall in love with this sleek, electronic gourmet herb kit from AeroGarden. It features six pods of your favorite herb seeds, including Genovese basil, Thai basil, mint, thyme, parsley, and dill, all adding their unique, fresh flavor to the mix. Your electronic garden features automatic on/off functions for lights and water, allowing you to set it up and walk away. Its seeds contain zero herbicides, pesticides, or GMOs, making them high quality and 100% natural. Simply slip the included pre-seeded pods (each topped with a handy grow dome) into your sophisticated garden box where water is stored, and watch them germinate over the next few weeks beneath the attached LED light.

Cons: Holes at the bottom of each seed pod can clog over time as herbs are watered. You’ll have to occasionally remove the pod and clear the clog with a thin, pointy object, like a paperclip or safety pin, to dislodge any debris causing the clog.

Bottom Line: AeroGarden herb kits are a no-stress, no-mess way to garden, and with automatic water and lights, all you have to do is set it up and watch it grow. Plus, it adds a fun, futuristic touch to your modern space.

Final Thoughts

We can’t blame you if you’re hungry just reading about these top-rated indoor herb kits. With no lack of options, think about the size, shape, and functions you’re looking for and which delicious herbs you’ll grow. Then choose the model that best fits your space and lifestyle.