Grow Your Own Kitchen Countertop Herb Garden

This compact kitchen herb garden ensures all the fresh seasonings you need for a savory Italian dinner are just a snip away. Six hours of sunlight a day and minimal care are all these hardy plants require to provide tasty herbs year round.
Kitchen Countertop Herb Garden With Upcycled Aluminum Cans

DIY Kitchen Countertop Herb Garden With Plant Labels

Water needs vary between the herbs so be sure to read each plant's care tag. Ensure that every plant receives enough sunlight by rotating them frequently.

Water needs vary between the herbs so be sure to read each plant's care tag. Ensure that every plant receives enough sunlight by rotating them frequently.

Materials Needed:

  • 6 used food cans in a variety of sizes
  • 2 basil plants
  • 1 rosemary plant
  • 1 thyme plant
  • 1 oregano plant
  • 1 parsley plant
  • ribbon
  • card stock
  • old fork
  • small scissors
  • large terra-cotta saucer
  • river rock or pebbles
  • potting soil
  • drill with small drill bit
  • rubbing alcohol
  • twine or string
  • Download: Italian Herb Garden Tags

Prep Cans

Wash cans thoroughly and allow to dry. Use rubbing alcohol to remove any ink that has been stamped on the cans (Image 1). Set the smallest can aside (this will be used later to keep scissors for snipping the herbs handy) then flip the remaining five cans over and drill several evenly spaced holes in the bottom for drainage (Image 2).

Prep Saucer

Fill terra-cotta saucer with a level layer of river rock and small pebbles to catch any drainage.

Add Herbs

Fill the bottom of the five cans with a shallow layer of rocks for drainage (Image 1); top this with a layer of potting soil, only filling each can two-thirds full (Image 2). Finally, remove herbs from their pots and loosen the roots slightly by breaking them gently apart with your fingers. Add both basil plants to the largest can then plant the remaining herbs in the other four cans (Image 3). Fill in around each plant with more potting soil if necessary.

Assemble Herb Garden

Give all the plants a good watering (Image 1). Arrange the cans on the terra-cotta saucer, placing them near a sunny window that gets a minimum six hours of sunlight a day. Add the smallest can to the front center, and use it to keep small scissors handy for snipping herbs. Wrap a length of ribbon around all the cans and tie together to secure. Print then cut out the plant labels and tie each around its respective can with twine or string. Finally, slide the printed greeting through the tines of an old fork (Image 2) and add it to the smallest can (Image 3).

Next Up

DIY: Hanging Mason Jar Storage

Steal this DIY idea from Shannon Quimby’s recycled kitchen featured in HGTV Magazine by following her step-by-step guide.

How to Construct a Custom Kitchen Range Hood

Give your stock kitchen the high-end treatment with a custom, built-in range hood. Fitted with an exhaust fan that vents outside, your kitchen will not only look better — it will smell better, too.

How to Create a Chalkboard Kitchen Backsplash

A drywall kitchen backsplash doesn't have to be boring. In just an afternoon you can transform it with chalkboard paint and a little trim. This inexpensive project packs a powerful visual punch and makes any kitchen chore more fun.

How to Install a Marble Tile Backsplash

Boost your kitchen's wow factor in a three-day weekend by installing a timeless Carrara marble backsplash in an updated subway tile pattern.

How to Design a Container Garden

Follow this simple design concept and boost the impact of your container gardens with plants of various sizes, textures and color combinations.

How to Build a Raised Planter Box With Legs

This simple-to-build, waist-high planter makes gardening easy — no more bending over or sitting on the ground to tend to your garden.

How to Grow Sweet Potatoes in Containers

Short on garden space? You'll be happy to know sweet potatoes can be grown in flower pots.

How to Grow Potatoes in Containers

Irish potatoes are easy to grow in containers on a sunny porch or patio.

How to Plant and Grow Marigold Flowers

Easy-to-grow marigolds add bright yellow, gold, orange and creamy-white color to gardens and containers from spring into fall.

How to Grow Cucumbers in a Pot

Growing cool, crunchy cucumbers in a container is easy if you know the steps. These basics will make them a success.

Go Shopping

Get product recommendations from HGTV editors, plus can’t-miss sales and deals.