This Self-Watering Indoor Herb Garden Is a Must for All Home Cooks

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If you ask us, food grown tastes much better than food bought. Case in point: indoor herb gardens that sprout up everything from basil to rosemary in a matter of days. Trust us; if you like to cook—especially rich and flavorful dishes—you need one of these in your kitchen. Though anyone with enough room to house one can enjoy its benefits, they're ideal for those who don’t have an outdoor space.

In addition to having a constant supply of fragrant foliage to cook with (and smell), indoor herb gardens offer the ability to grow pretty much any herb long after its traditional growing season has ended. Luckily, all of the ones on our carefully curated list below are backed by thousands of five-star ratings and reviews. Some are self-watering and come with permanent LED bulbs and others are hand-painted with ancient Ming Dynasty-inspired designs, there are plenty of options to consider.

So if you’re looking to spruce up your dishes with goodies from your very own garden, now is the time to snap up one of these highly rated kits, systems, or planters. One, in fact, is so good that our shopping editor impulsively bought one during her research. After using it for a month, she has some thoughts on the benefits of indoor herb gardens in general, why hers works so well for her space, and more. Go ahead and get one now. You'll never go back to the grocery store for what you can grow at home.

Gold Growhouse

"During my research for this particular story, I stumbled upon this indoor herb garden and fell in love with it so much that I ended up buying it," Associate Editor Jessica Cherner admits. "It is a bit bigger than it may look in this photo, so if short on counter space, you may want to stick it somewhere else, like a windowsill. That said, what it lacks in compactness it makes up for in elegance. The way the herbs kind of spill over the edges looks so natural and gorgeous. Not to mention, it smells incredible!"

Dimensions: 16.5" W x 5.5" D x 16" H

Number of Herbs: Four

Self-Watering: No

Ceramic Herb Tray With Pots

We have a weakness for blue and white pottery, hence this set of ceramic planters, which comes with a matching tray. They're hand-painted and the rich hues are inspired by the Ming dynasty. Plus, even though they look delicate, they're durable enough for indoor and outdoor use.

Triflora Hanging Window Planter

This famed Umbra triple hanging planter makes a great home to many plants—delicious ones, might we add. Because you can attach it to pretty much any wall or window, it doubles as art. One of the thousands of five-star reviews goes on to say, "Love this hanging planter. It is lightweight and was easy to install. The rod can be adjusted to a shorter length if desired and there is plenty of rope to adjust the hanging height of the pots. The pots can easily be removed for watering."

Dimensions: 25" D x 5.75" W x 43.5" H

Number of Herbs: Three

Self-Watering: No

Pixel Garden Desktop

This self-watering option allows you to grow up to eight herbs at a time, making it the ultimate pick for big families or avid chefs. As you may have gathered, it takes up quite a bit of space, so this is not exactly ideal for smaller kitchens. One reviewer says, "This was so easy to set up and use. I germinated the seeds like recommended and within days I have herbs growing. I do not have a green thumb, so I’m very excited that this has worked so well."

Dimensions: 4.52" D x 17.51" W x 11.41" H

Number of Herbs: Eight

Self-Watering: Yes

Superfood Growing Kit

Take your dishes to another level with herbs and microgreens. Designed with a hydroponic watering system, it helps seedlings grow to full-size plants within a matter of days. Here's how it works: includes three pre-seeded two-ounce microgreen pads of nutritious superfood, nutrient-rich greens. Place three of the included microgreen pads in their designated areas, pour in water, and press the only button on the contraption. There's no soil or sunlight required.

Dimensions: 15.35" D x 5.9" W x 7.88" H

Number of Herbs: Three

Self-Watering: Yes

Nine-Herb Window Garden

If you want to grow a whole host of herbs, here's a 34-piece kit that comes with everything you'll need for delicious dishes, from cilantro and thyme to basil and oregano. It's also so easy to use. One reviewer even says, "I loved how easy it was to grow my herbs. Everything popped up nice and quick and tasted delicious!"

Dimensions: 4"D x 4" W x 4" H

Number of Herbs: Nine

Self-Watering: No

Herb Gardening Kit

If you have a reputation for being a plant killer, add this model to your cart ASAP. It does all the hard work for you. With built-in LED lights and a self-watering system, all you have to do is plug it in and watch your garden grow. One happy reviewer says, "So far, I’m really happy with this click and grow system! Really easy to set up, sleek design, great on the countertop or on a shelf. The basil started sprouting in just a few days. My plan is to get several more!"

Dimensions: 9" D x 4.9" W x 12.5" H

Number of Herbs: Three

Self-Watering: Yes

AeroGarden Harvest Elite

Is it just us or does this grow garden look like something from the future? Whether it's the sleek chrome body or the extremely bright LED lighting that keeps the plants thriving, we're not entirely sure, but it deserves a spot on our list. It's also a great choice for beginners because it's highly easy to use. It even has a vacation mode setting for when you're traveling, so your herbs stay fresh no matter where you are or how long you'll be gone. One reviewer says, "has transformed my indoor gardening experience. With its sleek design and efficient LED grow lights, it has provided an effortless way to grow herbs and vegetables right in the comfort of my own home."

Dimensions: 6.25" D x 10.5" W x 17.4" H

Number of Herbs: Six

Self-Watering: Yes

Hydroponics Growing System

A bestseller on Amazon, this 12-pod customer favorite is highly rated among plant lovers. The garden has a clear water level indicator, an adjustable LED light panel, and a fan! All of this for under $70 is a major win. One reviewer says, "Have been using this for six months. It works well. No issues. Connects to my phone via their app. Plants grow well. You can set your on and off times. The food that came with it works well."

Dimensions: 10.2" D x 13.8" W x 14.8" H

Number of Herbs: 12

Self-Watering: No

Personal Garden and Starter Kit

In addition to herbs, you'll be able to grow your own produce with this Rise Gardens masterpiece. Thanks to its self-watering capabilities, it couldn't be any easier. Plus, look at all of the goodies included, such as a pH balancing solution and plenty of nutrients. Did we mention there's no assembly involved? One reviewer adds, "The system comes fully assembled and ready to go. It's very sturdy and well-built compared to other brands made of cheap plastic. It's also beautiful/stylish. I love it!"

Dimensions: 43.5" D x 19.5" W x 20.5" H

Number of Herbs: Eight

Self-Watering: Yes

Ceramic Hanging Tiered Planter

Sleek ceramic planters make a vertical garden ultra-chic and small-space friendly. It's great for herbs, or even succulents and trailing plants, as seen here. If this review doesn't convince you to buy this gorgeous find, we don't know what will: "I typically don’t leave reviews unless I get an offer for a gift card or something (I know that’s awful), but this is too cute not to write about. My unpaid and unprompted review is that this came packaged beautifully. It’s very nice quality and it’s just so cute!"

Dimensions: 3.25" D x 5.5" W x 28.5" H

Number of Herbs: Three

Self-Watering: No

Indoor Jar Herb Garden Kit

The Back to the Roots kit comes with everything a new gardener needs, from biochar soil and seeds (basil and mint) to recipes and more. The best part though is the included Ayesha Curry recipe book. One of the five-star reviews also offers a tip: "After soaking your soil and placing your seeds, put a popsicle stick in the middle of the can, then cover with plastic wrap over top and secure with a rubber band. This creates a greenhouse effect and my seeds sprouted in a couple of days."

Dimensions: 3.19" D x 7.6" W x 6.3" H

Number of Herbs: Two

Self-Watering: No

Water Tank Herb Garden

This aquaponic tank is a closed-loop ecosystem in which the fish fertilizes the herbs, and the plants clean the fish's water. Everybody wins, if you ask us. Also, it's a fun and different approach to having a pet. Sadly, the fish isn't included. One reviewer notes, "The AquaFarm met and exceeded my expectations! I was originally just looking to purchase a simple fish bowl to house a Betta fish for my 2-year-old daughter. My husband and I opted to get the AquaFarm because we felt that it would be a great teaching tool for our daughter and we knew we would enjoy an herb garden."

Dimensions: 13.29" D x 9.35" W x 13.29" H

Number of Herbs: Six

Self-Watering: No

Mason Jar Indoor Herb Garden

Add a modern farmhouse upgrade to your kitchen with these mason jar herb gardens. They use a passive hydroponic system that ensures your plants get enough nutrients and moisture. In other words, you don't need a green thumb to use it.

Dimensions: 3.5" D 6" H

Number of Herbs: One

Self-Watering: Yes

Wall Pocket Planter

For something a little more low-key, this planter, which features three pockets for growing different plants, hangs on your wall allowing you to keep your counters clear. If white isn't your color, opt for any of the additional three finishes, including gray, black, and marble. One reviewer says, "I love love love my gardening planter. It's so convenient to have it close to my kitchen. What an awesome idea."

What herbs can grow indoors?

You can grow any—yes, any—herb in an indoor garden. Additionally, feel free to throw succulents and small flowers into the mix for a fresh, eye-catching addition to your home. That said, some are easier to grow and maintain than others, so if you're not exactly a skilled green thumb, we suggest sticking to the easier plants, including basil (which basically grows at the speed of light), chives, and rosemary. Once you feel a bit more experienced with your garden, feel free to branch out into herbs that require a bit more TLC, like lavender, dill, and coriander. At the end of the day, though, the best herbs to grow in your garden are the ones you'll use the most. If you anticipate struggling to keep them alive, opt for an indoor herb garden that is self-watering (to relieve yourself from the watering duties) and adjusts the level of light depending on the time of day.

How long do indoor herb gardens last?

The lifespan of your herb garden is dependent on how carefully you look after it. Herb gardens are generally easier to care for than regular houseplants, but can't be completely neglected and still thrive. Like a houseplant, the moment you start neglecting it, the more you're contributing to its inevitable demise, so if you want to get your money's worth, be sure to look after it properly. In our experience, though, the easiest ones to care for are the most simplistic. The key to keeping the actual plants alive, however, is to keep them on the dryer side. Never, never, let them sit in standing water, which is an immediate death sentence to your beloved greenery.

Why trust us?

Jessica Cherner is House Beautiful's Associate Shopping Editor and a self-proclaimed home chef with an affinity for fresh herbs. "I ended up buying one of these herb gardens during my research for this story, and I ended up with the one that would work best in my space," she says. Of course, one size does not fit all, so before buying your indoor herb garden, be sure to consider the size of your counter space and how much time you're willing to spend tending to your herbs. When selecting our top picks, we considered everything from price to functionality and self-sufficiency.

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