The weather in California has been absolutely beautiful this month. It’s made me anxious to get started on our backyard garden. We usually plant an assortment of summer vegetables and essentials that I use in our everyday meals. Since we’re in the middle of renovating our backyard, our garden will have to wait a little longer to be planted. However, I found a way to keep some of my favorite herbs planted indoors until then. This mason jar DIY herb garden is perfect for keeping fresh herbs growing right in the kitchen.
Supplies needed to make your own DIY herb garden:
- Pint Size Masons Jars
- Vintage Style Mason Jar Holder
- Plants/Herbs
- Soil
There’s really not a big tutorial here, it’s as simple as potting soil and herbs in pint size mason jars. I used this mason jar holder to display the jars and easily move them if needed. Another great idea is to use this as a centerpiece with fresh flowers.
I filled the jars halfway with soil then with the herbs.
Now the biggest challenge will be keeping them alive. I tend to lack a green thumb with indoor plants, but I do love the way this DIY herb garden looks in my kitchen.
I have my DIY herb garden sitting near a window that has great sunlight throughout the day. And if I can remember to water them regularly, I’ll hopefully have fresh herbs available right in my kitchen for awhile.
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Where did you get the cute basket holder for the mason jars?
It’s no longer sold, sorry!
There are plenty of herbs and vegetables that grow in just water, just change the water when it starts looking a little cloudy!
Green onions are great!
I bought the large mason jars, drilled a hole on the bottom, added small pebbles, potting charcoal and then the plant. I also mounted a grow light under my top kitchen cabinet and my Alexa turns it on and off daily so the herbs get enough sunlight. I live in Colorado. I simply love having fresh herbs all the times. I also love the look. It’s a great conversation piece as well.
So cute! Is it OK that there is no rocks at the bottom?
This actually does not work. You cannot keep plants healthy and alive in Mason jars. They’ll look pretty for maybe a week, but will then suffer several issues. Because the water can’t actually drain “out” of the jar, it’s creates a swamp-like environment (even with minimal watering) and it will stink as well. Next, you’ll start to see small insects/knats/aphids, etc. and lastly, the plant will in fact die from rot. I have a green thumb and have enjoyed planting and landscaping for years. I’ve tried this Mason jar idea (several attempts over the last 2 years), making adjustments each time) and it just doesn’t work. You need properly prepped containers that allow “complete” drainage and as someone else pointed out, roots aren’t meant to be exposed to sunlight so that will also contribute to distressed plants. If you really like the Mason jar idea, try painting the “outside” of the jars so that they’re opaque in color and then drill small holes in the bottom of the jars to allow proper drainage (using a special drill bit for glass).
Kwaku,correct about needing drainage.,this can be achieved with pebbles, and or broken clay pots,add charcoal and sand for filtering ,then soil.making it a mini terrarium base.
A nice way to get an early start on spring herbs or by rotating to new starts ,keeping them fresh all year.
This is a wonderful idea. My wife and I found this on Pinterest last night. We are going to this project. However, some alterations are necessary. Even with pebbles or sand you must have drainage holes. Without a hole there’s no such thing as a drain. Pebbles and sand are not aeration. The key to aeration, is air. With no hole, there’s no air. Also, you don’t want sunlight hitting the roots of the plant. Roots of the plant are not meant to be exposed to sunlight.
So as it is, this project will give you a pretty herb garden, albeit temporary. If the roots don’t drown first, killing the plant, the roots will rot, killing the plant. If by some chance the plant survives long enough, the roots will eventually reach the glass, where they’ll bound and burn.
Did you plant seeds or plants? Such a great idea!!
H Crystal, thanks for the idea! I am looking to create our own little herb garden right in the kitchen and it would be a nice idea to use the mason jars for this project. Mason jars are useful and compact considerations for holding small herb plantings. I am only afraid of over watering the plants – too much water could rot the roots. I will add some pebbles at the bottom to allow for aeration.
Just put a few stones in the bottom and don’t overwater but with the jar being clear you can tell how much your watering. I love the idea!
I would love to try this but can I just plant herbs or could I try it with thing s a bit bigger. (Strawberries and then move them to a higher pot when needed?)
You can certainly try!
Love fresh herbs throughout the year! But I have found that healthy plants have healthy roots and good drainage is essential, but roots do not like light…they will try and grow away from the sunlight. If you pull a healthy plant out of its container, you will see that the roots tend to follow the container around the outside of the pot. If exposed to light, the roots will try to grow away, and they will become stunted. Also happens if you use a white or light colored pot to grow them in. So, this being said, I would recommend using clay pots, they have awesome drainage, and the roots grow real healthy and strong. Or, use mason jars, but wrap the outside of them with paper or something that will stop light from damaging the tender roots.
Or maybe you could paint the bottom half of the jar where the roots are.
Put a few small pebbles or grit on the bottom of jars then soil. Keep herbs in a sunny place maybe not in direct sun for too long .
apply water to the jars you can see when watering is needed but what drains away from the roots will land at the bottom of jar.
What a wonderful idea for a useful gift! Love it!
I tried to do this exact same thing with herbs a couple years ago and unfortunately they did rot over time. Without a drainage hole even with stones, eventually the water build up will be too much. If you have the right drill bit for glass, it would be an easy fix to add a couple drainage holes though!
I am experimenting with a succulent growing in a tall but small jam jar. It’s growing well after 2 months. I put an inch of perlite in the bottom of the jar with the soil on top so that I can see and adjust my watering. Succulents are relatively easy though. They live in cafes everywhere here (Australia).
Hi,
My mother she grows mostly all kind of fruits and herbs in the balcony area of our house. As far as I can tell, these herbs look great to go and as long as they are getting sunlight and water, then its nice. But i feel there should be some way to let the water out of the jars. Like how there are small holes under a pot for plants.
Hi Dipti, It’s true that any collected water at the bottom of the jar can get moldy and eventually kill your plant. By layering rocks at the bottom of the jar you are making your own drainage system. This creates some separation between the water and the soil. Be careful not to over water you plant, as that excess water will have nowhere to go!
And they will rot – unless you fill 1/3 of the mason jar with pebbles, then put soil on top so the water can drain down and the roots can breathe.
Thank you so much, that is a great idea.
https://valariebooks.blogspot.com says: I bought seeds yesterday. I will definitely give this a try. Thank you!
Great idea I can actually do. Where do you get the holder I wonder
Diana
Hi Diana, The link to the holder is listed in the supply list above. Here is the link as well: https://www.consumercrafts.com/store/details/catalog/decor-glassware/5914-499. The holder can be found on our website. It looks like it is out of stock at the moment but should be coming back in soon. Good luck with your project!
What is the holder called? I didn’t know what to search for. can you give an item number/company name of who makes this?
Hi Terri, Sorry this holder was a product that we used to carry on our website. It is no longer available. If you google search “wire mason jar holder” you may be able to find similar products.
Hey girl! I LOVE this mason jar herb garden idea. I’m a bit addicted to all of the things that can be done with jars! So much, in fact, that I am compiling a list of my favourites and posting it on my brand spankin’ new blog 🙂
I am going to post a link to your page so others can see your super cool idea!!! <3
Thank you for the creativity! I hope many come to check this out 🙂
How would it drain? Would it need drainage?
I was thinking the same thing. Without drainage, the roots will rot.
Just mist or add a couple of teaspoons of water to them daily.
Put a couple of inches of gravel in the bottom mixed with activated charcoal, any excess water will sit in this reservoir and won’t drown the roots. Mix activated charcoal with the soil as well to keep it fresh. Being glass you can see when there is too much water in there but remember in winter you house will be warm and you will need to ensure that they have enough water. Better to choose ones that originate in the mediterranean area, they will tolerate dry soil – thyme oregano marjoram – rather than mint for example which is a damp loving plant. You will also have to spray the leaves cause the dry air in the house from the heating will make the leaves dye off. Also, ensure they have plenty of space around them for air to circulate else you will end up with whitefly. Voice of experience.
And if I put that any place inside my home, the cats will eat it. I do have a black thumb, and the cats and dogs don’t help!