Herb gardens indoors? Who would have thought it? It’s a great idea, especially if you have little or no outdoor space. But, doesn’t it take up a lot of room?
Not if you look into how to make a vertical indoor herb garden, it doesn’t! This is a great way to grow herbs, and it won’t take up too much of your floor space either.
How To Make A Vertical Indoor Herb Garden?
Growing herbs is a fantastic and rewarding thing to do. Growing herbs indoors is one step more convenient, because they’re right there on hand when you need them.
Growing herbs indoors, in a vertical herb garden, is the pinnacle of fun, convenience and can be a great talking piece.
Making a vertical indoor herb garden is pretty easy, and generally you can use materials that you already have lying around, or that you can easily source.
It is not expensive to make, and only takes the tiniest bit of DIY knowledge (and, at a pinch, you can borrow your dad’s tools!)
The herbs will grow just fine, as long as they have good soil, sunlight, water and a bit of space to breathe.
It’s a great fun project, and can reward you by making your cooking even more delicious, with your very own home grown herbs!
Can You Grow Herbs Vertically?
Although, generally, herbs are seen grown in beds, grouped together in clumps, they are pretty forgiving plants and will grow pretty much anywhere.
Herbs are very happy to grow vertically, as long as they have the right conditions in which to grow.
All plants need light, water and good soil, so as long as your vertically planted herbs have these things, they should provide you well!
They can be grown together in a planter, or in individual pots hanging from the wall – whichever suits your space.
As long as your herbs have a good, well draining soil, plenty of water and enough sunlight, they will thrive no matter where they are planted.
You will have to watch out for larger, trailing herbs potentially shading smaller herbs below, and make sure that each plant has enough light.
Growing herbs vertically is a great way to do it, because you can grow a lot of different herbs in the same sort of place, and save space doing so.
Growing this way is a great way of maximising the space that you have available, and is a great option for those who have little or no garden space.
How Do You Make A Vertical Planter?
There are a great many options for you when choosing what to make your vertical planter with.
Many people use old wooden pallets, as they are equipped with perfectly spaced shelves already.
- Make sure your pallet is clean, and sand down any rough edges. Remove protruding nails and splinters.
- Screw a hole in the centre of a jubilee clip that is long enough to go around your chosen pots.
- Screw the jubilee clips in the position that you want them, ensuring there is enough space for the pots.
- Close the jubilee clips, making sure they hold the pots around halfway down.
- Add your soil and plants, and enjoy your new living wall!
Another option is to repurpose a ladder that has wide steps – this is a simple option as you simply place pots on the steps, and try not to knock the ladder as you walk past!
Using shelves is another good way to make your vertical wall.
- Take a few shelves of equal size and length.
- Cut a hole in the middle of the shelf that is just wide enough to hold the top of the pot (a terracotta pot with a lip is ideal for this).
- Repeat for the number of pots you want.
- Drill two holes at each end of each shelf.
- Thread some strong rope through the holes, with knots tied under the bottom of each shelf.
- Place the pots in the holes, and hang the planter from a bar attached to the wall, or some strong hooks.
This video shows you how to create a vertical herb garden out of a shoe organiser – simple, easy and effective!
What Can I Plant In A Vertical Planter?
A vertical planter is a great option for growing plants, as it takes up less space and can be pretty much used as a living wall.
Many plants, including herbs, will thrive in a vertical planter – but there are some that will fare better than others:
- Basil. This warm weather plant will be happy indoors – in many cases it will do better indoors than out!
- Oregano. A Mediterranean herb that is known as “joy of the mountain”, this one will be very happy in your vertical herb mountain.
- Coriander. A sensitive herb that likes to be warm, coriander will grow perfectly indoors.
- Dill. This feathery beauty will be very at home in your indoor planter.
- Mint. Mint is notorious for spreading, so ensure that you keep it confined to its pot.
- Parsley. This herb grows happily just about anywhere, so a bit of pampering in your indoor vertical planter will suit it well.
- Thyme. A fragrant little ground covering, Thyme is a great herb to have on hand, and is a good addition to your planter.
- Sage. A lovely and versatile herb that will happily grow outdoors, but will also thrive in an indoor environment.
Basically, you should plant the herbs that you like to use the most. This will save you money, and give you a great feeling of satisfaction!
This article, from the Royal Horticultural Society, gives good advice on growing herbs generally.
Final Words
Vertical indoor herb gardens are low maintenance, fun to do, and will add lovely flavour to anything you cook – as well as a pleasing smell to your house, too!
Now that you now how, you can paper your walls with herbs, and cook delicious meals with your space saving indoor herb garden!
