The Best Herbs To Grow In Mason Jars

Mason jars have been around since 1858, when they were originally used for canning and preserving food. Not surprisingly, that hasn’t changed much since, but gardeners have discovered that they can also grow certain plants in them. Check out The Best Herbs To Grow In Mason Jars.

Herbs are among the best and easiest plants to grow in mason jars, but you have to know which ones work best so you don’t have a giant plant trying to burst one of the jars. 

You’ll also need to choose an herb that doesn’t require soil that easily drains, as you certainly won’t have that at the bottom of a mason jar. Growing herbs indoors is an easy project to do and to keep up with.

You’ll also have fresh herbs no matter what season they are, instead of reaching for the refrigerator or pantry door. Here are some of the best herbs you can grow using mason jars. This is where I buy my seeds: SeedsNow. 

The Best Herbs To Grow In Mason Jars

Step One

I started with five clean quart (32-ounce each) mason jars. Then I filled the jars with rocks about 2-3 inches deep to help drain the water from the plants. These are the rocks I purchased, but any small stones or marble will work. GASPRO River Rock . Most craft stores sell many types of pebbles or rocks.

Step Two

I had some leftover Starter Soil that I filled to about 3 inches from the top of each mason jar. I packed it down a little so I could add the plants you can see. Now, keep in mind you can plant seeds—I know we all have them—but I purchased some plants so I could show you what they look like.

Step Three

You can fill out these labels with a liquid chalk pen. Yes, I had to practice a few times to make them look presentable. It reminded me of doing crafts years ago. I love it! Labels To Write Herbs

The Best Herbs to Grow in Mason Jars

You can grow almost any herb inside a mason jar, but the ones I’ll share below are some of the best ones you should have the most success with. You can start from seedlings if you want, but remember that it may take up to two years before maturity. If you don’t have that kind of time, then I suggest starting with cuttings or dividing from already existing plants.

Aloe

Aloe is a low-maintenance herb that requires very little watering. It also happens to look quite nice in mason jars. The plant will help to purify your home’s air and provide several other health benefits.  

Basil

Basil is one of those herbs that can enhance the flavor of all kinds of dishes, not just Italian food. It’s also nice that it can be harvested regularly all season long. Just keep in mind that lighting is especially important when it comes to growing basil. The herb needs around 6 hours of sunlight each day, and if you decide to go with fluorescent lighting, it will need closer to 10 hours.  

Chives

Chives are a grass-like herb that provides a lot of flavor and requires very little upkeep for gardeners who have little time on their hands. Besides watering them with about an inch of moisture a week and providing enough sunlight, this culinary herb should do very well in a mason jar.  

Cilantro

Cilantro is a must in your mason jar garden, especially if you enjoy cooking Asian and Latin American dishes occasionally. Unlike most other herbs, cilantro should be started from seeds because it doesn’t do well when transplanted. Be sure that your cilantro gets plenty of sunlight and that you keep it hydrated.   

Mint 

Having mint that’s always available will keep you from having to make a trip to the grocery store. It’s extremely easy to grow and spreads quickly, so before it takes over, pinch it back regularly. Mint does well in full to partial sunlight, and you’ll want to keep the soil around the plant moist. However, mint plants can also tolerate dry soil from time to time. 

Oregano 

Oregano is a perennial herb with a strong and zesty flavor, making it an excellent choice for Italian culinary purposes. It can also help you relax, especially if you have an upset stomach. Plenty of sunlight is recommended, and you won’t need to water it nearly as often as your other herbs. Also, be sure to pinch back your oregano at times so it can return fuller. 

Parsley

Parsley is instead on the poor side when it comes to germinating, so you’ll want to plant several seeds in your mason jar to have good results. Besides needing consistent water and at least six hours of sunlight a day, parsley is a self-sustaining herb for the most part. It’s a biennial plant, meaning you won’t have seeds until year two, but you can enjoy it all season long once it matures. 

Rosemary

Are you looking to grow an herb that will return for you year after year? Often referred to as a “woody herb,” rosemary is one you’ll want to include in your mason jar project. It is used for cooking, ornamental, and medicinal purposes. Rosemary needs a lot of direct sunlight and may take up to two years to enjoy the herb, but it will be well worth the time and effort. The germination rate is low for rosemary, so don’t hesitate to scatter enough seeds inside your jars.   

Sage

Mostly enjoyed on top of meat or combined with stuffing, sage is an herb that anyone can grow without too much effort. It also has specific medicinal properties and can thrive in different climates. However, some patience is required to increase sage because you’ll have to wait about 80 days after planting before you can harvest it. 

Thyme

Thyme grows well inside all types of containers and needs plenty of sunlight and water, especially during its first year. It looks and tastes great on several dishes and is even thought to provide a boost of energy and strength. The more you harvest your thyme, the better it will continue to grow.  

Final Word

Growing herbs in mason jars is fun and easy. All you will need to do is ensure you have a big enough mason jar that receives adequate lighting, such as a window or fluorescent lighting. You fertilize them every once in a while and make sure the soil remains moist but not too wet.

Also, remember to mark each jar with what you have growing in it so you can be sure each of your herbs is receiving the right amount of attention. I’d love to hear how your mason jar herbs turn out! May God bless this world, Linda.

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