DIY Wooden Herb Garden – Build Your Own Rustic Indoor Planter

There’s something special about having fresh herbs right in your kitchen. Whether you love cooking with fresh basil, garnishing dishes with homegrown thyme, or just want the aroma of rosemary filling your space, a wooden herb garden is the perfect addition to your home.

Instead of plastic pots or store-bought planters, why not create a custom wooden planter that’s both functional and stylish? In this guide, we’ll show you how to build your own indoor wooden herb garden, choose the best herbs, and care for them so they thrive year-round.

Step 1: Choosing the Best Wood for Your Herb Planter

A wooden herb planter needs to resist moisture while complementing your kitchen’s aesthetic. The best wood choices include:

🪵 Cedar – Naturally rot-resistant and lightweight.
🪵 Cherry – Durable, smooth-grained, and develops a rich patina.
🪵 Maple – A strong and resilient hardwood ideal for kitchens.

💡 Wood Fact: Hardwoods like cherry and maple are not only long-lasting but also naturally antibacterial, making them perfect for kitchen projects.

Step 2: Building Your Wooden Herb Planter

The easiest way to build your planter is with a simple wooden box with drainage holes. Here’s what you’ll need:

✔ Four wooden panels (for the sides) and a solid base.
✔ Drainage holes to prevent root rot.
✔ Wood glue and screws to secure the structure.

Once assembled, sand the edges smooth and apply a food-safe oil like beeswax or tung oil to protect the wood while keeping it natural.

🌱 Pro Tip: For an extra rustic look, consider using reclaimed hardwood for a unique, weathered finish.

Step 3: Best Herbs to Grow in Your Indoor Planter

Not all herbs thrive indoors, so select ones that love steady warmth and indirect sunlight:

🌿 Basil – Loves warmth and is great for pasta, pizza, and pesto.
🌿 Thyme – A resilient herb that enhances meats and roasted vegetables.
🌿 Rosemary – Fragrant and perfect for bread, potatoes, and soups.
🌿 Mint – Grows fast and is great for tea, cocktails, and desserts.

💡 Wood Fact: Wooden planters help regulate soil moisture, keeping herbs from drying out too quickly compared to plastic or ceramic pots.

Step 4: Placement & Care Tips for Thriving Herbs

🌞 Sunlight: Place your planter near a bright kitchen window with at least 6 hours of sunlight per day.
💦 Watering: Keep soil slightly moist, but avoid overwatering—too much water can cause root rot.
✂️ Pruning: Regularly trim herbs to encourage bushy growth and prevent legginess.

🌿 Pro Tip: If your planter is drying out too quickly, line the inside with beeswax or natural oils to slow moisture absorption.

Enjoy Your Homegrown Herbs!

There’s nothing quite like cooking with fresh, homegrown herbs. With your new DIY wooden herb planter, you’ll always have basil for pasta, mint for tea, and rosemary for roasted dishes—right at your fingertips.

If you love wooden kitchen goods, check out our handcrafted collection for unique, sustainable, and beautifully crafted kitchen essentials.