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Whether you’re looking for a way to elevate your home cooking or a simple project to do with your family, growing an indoor herb garden is a fun and rewarding activity. It's surprisingly easy, too, with just a few supplies (or the help of a countertop grow house), you can sprout all kinds of herbs—from culinary ingredients like basil and thyme to medicinal plants like echinacea.
Most indoor herb garden kits come with everything you need to start several plants, including seeds, soil, and sometimes plant markers and attractive wooden planters or pots. Once you’ve set them up, all you have to do is provide water and light, and within a few weeks, you’ll have a bounty of homegrown, edible ingredients.
The Best Indoor Herb Garden Kits
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Best Culinary Herbs
Garden Republic Indoor Herb Garden Starter Kit
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3
Most Affordable Hydroponic
Click and Grow Smart Garden 3 Indoor Herb Garden
Read more
4
5
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7
8
Best Tea Herbs
Mountain Valley Seed Company Medicinal & Herbal Tea Indoor Herb Garden Starter Kit
Read more
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See AlsoWe Tested the Best Herb Garden Kits for Deliciously Easy Produce at HomeThe best indoor gardens for growing herbs and vegetables of 2024How To Grow Herbs Indoors: The Ultimate Guide - Get Busy GardeningHow to Start an Indoor Herb Garden | HappySprout
What to Consider
The first decision to make is soil versus hydroponic. Indoor herb kits with soil pods are the less expensive option and the way to go if you plan to replant your seedlings outdoors. Hydroponic kits with LED growing lights are easier to maintain and not as messy, but they're much pricier and there's the added cost of purchasing seed pods that are compatible with your device.
You'll also have to select your starter seeds. Culinary herb kits are arguably the most popular as they include common cooking ingredients, but there are also herb kits that include medicinal herbs, tea herbs, and even microgreens. If you want to keep growing herbs continually, it’s important to consider whether the kit has reusable pots or planters. Some kits include compostable pots that can only be used once.
How We Selected
We considered several key factors when selecting the best indoor herb gardens, starting with the herb varieties and supplies included in each kit. We selected kits that included popular, easy-to-grow herbs, as well as options with more eclectic plants. We opted for products that include high-quality supplies to set you up for success. We also prioritized kits that offer some type of money-back guarantee in case your seeds end up being duds—it’s always a possibility that seeds don’t sprout, so it’s nice when brands stand behind their product.
No matter your budget, indoor sunlight, or space capacity, we've found indoor herb gardens that'll get fresh herbs in your home in a matter of weeks. (OK, maybe a month.)
Looking for more ways to garden indoors? Check out our stories on the best vertical garden beds, raised garden beds, and LED grow lights.
Pros
- Built-in LED grow light
- Automated plant care
Cons
- Expensive
Does your home lack the sunlight needed for herbs to thrive? If so, the AeroGarden Harvest can help you cultivate healthy plants thanks to its adjustable LED grow light, which encourages faster growth.
This high-tech planter comes with six seed pods, allowing you to grow Genovese basil, curly parsley, dill, thyme, Thai basil, and mint. There's also a small bottle of plant nutrients included to mix into the water tank.
The control panel has indicator lights that remind you to add water and plant food, and the grow light turns on and off automatically every day.
Key Specs
Herbs | Curly parsley, dill, Genovese basil, mint, thyme, Thai basil |
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Seed Packs | 6 |
Planter Included | Yes |
2
Best Culinary Herbs
Garden Republic Indoor Herb Garden Starter Kit
2
Best Culinary Herbs
Garden Republic Indoor Herb Garden Starter Kit
Pros
- Comprehensive kit
- Many educational resources
Cons
- No money-back guarantee
This herb kit from Garden Republic is a top choice for anyone who wants to grow culinary herbs to use in the kitchen. It includes everything you need to grow cilantro, large leaf Italian parsley, English thyme, and Genovese basil, all of which are commonly used in cooking.
The kit comes with cute reusable burlap grow bags that have a waterproof lining, potting soil discs, bamboo plant markers, and a wooden planter box. The brand also offers a wide range of educational content to help you get started, including an instruction booklet, online “growing community,” and more.
Key Specs
Herbs | Cilantro, Italian parsley, English thyme, Genovese basil |
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Seed Packs | 4 |
Planter Included | Yes |
3
Most Affordable Hydroponic
Click and Grow Smart Garden 3 Indoor Herb Garden
3
Most Affordable Hydroponic
Click and Grow Smart Garden 3 Indoor Herb Garden
Pros
- Stylish design
- Easy to use
- Automated plant care
Cons
- Expensive
If you’re worried about your ability to keep plants alive, the Click and Grow Smart Garden is a top choice for brown thumbs, as it has an automated growing system that practically guarantees success. This high-tech indoor garden features an LED grow light and self-watering tank that can hold up to a month’s worth of water, allowing you to set it and forget it.
The unit comes with three basil pods so you can start growing right away, and the brand also sells pods that let you start a wide range of other herbs, from chili peppers to lavender. Once your seedlings are big enough, you can transplant them into other pots, or you can just leave them as-is for hands-off growing.
Key Specs
Herbs | Basil |
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Seed Packs | 3 |
Planter Included | Yes |
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4
Best Organic
Spade To Fork Organic Herb Garden Kit
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Best Organic
Spade To Fork Organic Herb Garden Kit
Pros
- USDA-certified organic seeds
- Biodegradable pots
- Wooden plant markers
Cons
Spade To Fork is a family-owned and -operated company located in rural Oregon. This kitchen garden kit includes USDA-certified organic seeds to grow herbs like basil, cilantro, coriander, parsley, sage, and thyme, and comes with a 26-page growing guide. There's also biodegradable pots and soil disks that are certified organic, as well as cute wooden plant markers.
Key Specs
Herbs | Basil, cilantro, coriander, parsley, sage, and thyme, |
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Seed Packs | 5 |
Planters Included | Yes |
5
Best DIY
Urban Leaf Self-Watering Indoor Bottle Garden Kit
5
Best DIY
Urban Leaf Self-Watering Indoor Bottle Garden Kit
Now 22% Off
Pros
- Decorative and functional
Cons
- Doesn't come with bottles
If you have a few empty wine bottles (or any other dark-colored glass bottles) hanging around your kitchen, you can upcycle them into self-watering planters with the help of this kit. It comes with three inserts that you place into the neck of a bottle, as well as seeds to grow basil, dill, and parsley.
The insert uses capillary action to draw water up to the roots of the plant, encouraging them to grow down into the bottle. Then, all that’s left to do is put the bottle in a bright location and wait for your seeds to sprout.
Key Specs
Herbs | Basil, dill, parsley |
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Seed Packs | 3 |
Planter Included | No |
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Best for Windowsills
Planters' Choice 9-Herb Window Garden
6
Best for Windowsills
Planters' Choice 9-Herb Window Garden
Pros
- Value-packed kit
- Nine herbs
- Pots designed for the windowsill
- USA-sourced seeds
- Money-back guarantee
Cons
This compact set of nine herbs comes with small pots that are designed to fit perfectly on your windowsill. The set includes a total of 32 pieces, including nine reusable pots, three pre-fertilized soil discs, three drip trays, nine plant markets, and a planting guide. Additionally, you’ll get the seeds needed to grow basil, chives, cilantro, dill, oregano, parsley, giant mustard, sage, and thyme.
All the seeds are sourced in the USA, and the brand offers a money-back guarantee if you’re not satisfied with the kit.
Key Specs
Herbs | Basil, chives, cilantro, dill, oregano, parsley, giant mustard, sage, thyme |
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Seed Packs | 9 |
Planter Included | Yes |
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7
Best Winter Herbs
Mr. Sprout & Co. Winter Indoor Garden Kit
7
Best Winter Herbs
Mr. Sprout & Co. Winter Indoor Garden Kit
Pros
- Value-packed kit
- Plants grow well in shade
Cons
- Single-use pots
Certain herbs grow better during the cold winter months when there isn’t as much sunshine, and this kit includes several winter-friendly plants, including lemon basil, rosemary, sage, thyme, and cayenne. In addition to seeds for these herbs, this kit comes with five peat pots, soil pellets, and plant tags, as well as a comprehensive grower’s guide.
The full-size seed packets include enough seeds to grow several plants, allowing you to try again if you’re not successful the first time. However, you should keep in mind that several of these plants can grow quite large, so you may need to eventually transplant them to a larger container.
Key Specs
Herbs | Sage, cayenne, peppermint, thyme, lemon basil |
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Seed Packs | 5 |
Planter Included | Yes |
8
Best Tea Herbs
Mountain Valley Seed Company Medicinal & Herbal Tea Indoor Herb Garden Starter Kit
8
Best Tea Herbs
Mountain Valley Seed Company Medicinal & Herbal Tea Indoor Herb Garden Starter Kit
Pros
- Unique herbs
- Extra supplies
Cons
- Potential seed substitutions
You can make your own herbal tea with this cool indoor garden kit, which includes seeds to grow six different plants: hot pepper, yarrow, echinacea, calendula, chamomile, and lavender. While not often used in cooking, many of these plants have medicinal properties that can be experienced when the herb is dried and steeped as a tea.
The kit comes with a large number of supplies, including a 12-cell seed tray, humidity dome, seed marker sticks, 12 soil pucks, and instructions, but the brand does note that up to two plants may be substituted based on seasonal availability.
Key Specs
Herbs | Calendula, chamomile, echinacea, hot pepper, lavender, yarrow |
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Seed Packs | 6 |
Planter Included | Yes |
Pros
- Tons of seeds to choose from
- Also includes common seeds
Cons
- No planters
Most herb garden kits have seeds for four or five different plants, but this one comes with an impressive 17 heirloom herb varieties. Along with standards like oregano, parsley, cilantro, and dill, there are herbs less commonly found in kits such as lavender, scallions, and arugula.
The seeds are housed in a waterproof, resealable mylar-lined pouch. There are also plant markers and a planting guide to get you started, but you'll need to purchase your own planters.
Key Specs
Herbs | Sweet basil, Thai basil, chives, cilantro, dill, lavender, lemon bal, mint, Italian oregano, scallions, curly parsley, peppermint, rosemary, sage, thyme, arugula, anise |
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Seed Packs | 17 |
Planter Included | No |
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Best Microgreen Kit
Zestigreens Microgreens Growing Kit
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Best Microgreen Kit
Zestigreens Microgreens Growing Kit
Pros
- Fast grow time
- Self-watering option
- Aesthetic wooden planter
Cons
Microgreens are the seedlings of edible vegetables and herbs, and they’re packed with bold flavor and beneficial nutrients, making them a top choice to grow at home. This kit comes with the supplies needed to grow broccoli and mixed salad microgreens, including seeds, a wooden planter, a hydroponic insert, and hemp mats for the base.
Once sowed, the seeds will be ready to harvest in as little as 7 to 10 days. Plus, once you have the kit, you can simply purchase more seeds to grow microgreens again and again.
Key Specs
Herbs | Mixed salad, broccoli |
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Seed Packs | 2 |
Planter Included | Yes |
Camryn Rabideau
Camryn Rabideau is a freelance writer and product reviewer specializing in home, kitchen, and pet products. In her four years as a product tester, she's tested hundreds of items firsthand, and her work appears in publications such as Forbes, USA Today, The Spruce, Food52, and more.
Rachel Klein
Senior Commerce Editor
Rachel Klein is a Senior Commerce Editor for Popular Mechanics, where she writes about everything from garden hose reels and patio furniture to mesh wifi systems and robot vacuums. She started her career as a daily newspaper reporter and was a travel editor for more than a decade before she started testing and reviewing luggage, noise-cancelling headphones, and other travel-related products. Fast-forward another five years and her area of expertise includes home decor, appliances, tech, and outdoor adventure gear. In her spare time, you'll find her planning her next trip, reading historical fiction, and seeing as much art as she can squeeze into a weekend.