How to Start a Kitchen Herb Garden in Jars: Simple Guide for Beginners

Learn how to start a kitchen herb garden in jars with clear steps and expert tips. Grow fresh herbs in mason jars using soil or water indoors. Easy guide by Ashley Scott.

Hi, I’m Ashley Scott, and I’ve spent over ten years growing herbs, flowers, and succulents across different parts of the USA. If you want a simple indoor project that gives quick results, start with a kitchen herb garden in jars. You only need a few materials, some light, and a bit of patience.

In this guide, I’ll show you how to set it up, what herbs to grow, and how to keep them healthy year-round.

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Why Grow Herbs in Mason Jars

Growing herbs in jars is an easy way to bring greenery into your kitchen without taking much space. You can use old glass jars or a mason jar herb garden kit.

Here’s why I recommend it:

• It works well even in small kitchens or apartments.
• You can set up your garden for under $20.
• Herbs grow cleanly indoors with no soil mess.
• You can grow herbs in soil or water depending on your preference.

For more growing tips, check the University of Minnesota Extension guide on indoor herbs.

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Best Herbs to Grow in Jars

Some herbs adapt better to jar environments than others. From my experience, these do best:

• Basil – grows fast and loves warmth.
• Mint – ideal for beginners, spreads quickly.
• Parsley – thrives in indirect light.
• Thyme – low maintenance and aromatic.
• Chives – regrows easily after cutting.
• Oregano – perfect for bright windows.
• Rosemary – slow grower but long-lasting.

You can find more details on these varieties from the University of Illinois Extension herb growing page.

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Supplies You’ll Need

You don’t need fancy tools. Start with simple materials available at home.

• Glass or mason jars (16–32 oz size)
• Small stones or pebbles
• Potting mix or clean water
• Herb seeds or young plants
• Jar labels
• A small watering can or dropper

If you want to learn how plants grow from cuttings before starting herbs, read my post on Succulent Propagation.

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Setting Up Your Herb Jars

Follow these steps to prepare your jars properly.

1. Clean your jars
   Wash jars with warm water and soap. Dry fully before adding materials.
2. Create drainage
   Add 1–2 inches of pebbles at the bottom. It prevents root rot.
3. Add potting mix
   Use a light mix with perlite for air flow. Avoid garden soil.
4. Plant seeds or cuttings
   Sow herb seeds or place starter plants carefully. Leave one inch of space at the top.
5. Label jars
   Write the herb name on tape or tags. This helps during early growth.

If you want to try growing herbs in mason jars with water, follow this Iowa State University Extension guide on indoor herb growing.

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Where to Place Your Herb Jars

Herbs need at least six hours of sunlight daily.

• Place jars near a south-facing window.
• Rotate them every few days for even growth.
• Use a small LED grow light if your kitchen lacks sunlight.

The Penn State Extension article on indoor plant lighting explains how much light herbs need indoors.

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Watering and Feeding

Water carefully. Too much water suffocates roots inside jars.

• Water when the top inch of soil feels dry.
• Pour slowly so the water doesn’t pool at the bottom.
• Remove excess water if visible.
• Feed herbs once a month with diluted organic fertilizer.

If you grow herbs in water, change the water every week and rinse the roots. Add a few drops of liquid fertilizer to maintain nutrients.

For care details, visit Gardening Know How’s mason jar herb garden guide.

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Hanging Mason Jar Herb Garden Ideas

A hanging mason jar herb garden keeps your counter free and adds style.

You can:

• Mount jars on a wooden rack.
• Use wall brackets or shelf hooks.
• Hang jars with macramé ropes near a window.

Mixing herbs with small mason jar plants like pothos or spider plants creates a fresh kitchen look.

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Common Problems and Simple Fixes

Problem	Reason	Fix
Yellow leaves	Overwatering	Let soil dry before next watering
Mold on top	Poor airflow	Move jars or reduce watering
Slow growth	Low light	Use grow lights
Weak stems	Crowded planting	Replant into separate jars

Check the University of Minnesota Extension troubleshooting page for detailed solutions.

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My Experience with Herbs in Jars

When I began growing herbs in jars years ago, I started with basil and mint. My early mistake was using garden soil—it held too much moisture. Once I switched to a lighter mix and let the jars dry out between watering, my herbs thrived.

After a few weeks, I had enough fresh basil to use in pasta twice a week. Small steps like this keep your kitchen greener and your food fresher.

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Quick Tips for Success

• Start with 2–3 easy herbs like mint or basil.
• Keep jars near a sunny spot.
• Trim herbs regularly to encourage new shoots.
• Replace soil or water every few months.
• Use recycled jars to save money.

You can apply these same methods to grow small plants like succulents or microgreens. Learn more about this in my Succulent Propagation guide.

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Final Thoughts

Creating a kitchen herb garden in jars is a simple and practical project. You’ll always have fresh herbs on hand, your kitchen will look greener, and it’s a great way to reuse old jars.

Whether you use soil or water, herbs like basil, mint, and parsley grow beautifully indoors. With a few minutes of care each week, your herbs will keep producing for months.