The Best Herbs To Grow In Mason Jars

Mason jars have been around ever since 1858, where they were originally used for canning and preserving food. Not surprisingly, that hasn’t changed a whole awful lot since, but gardeners have discovered that they can also grow certain plants in them. Herbs are amongst the best and easiest plants to grow in mason jars, but you have to know which ones work best so that you don’t have a huge plant trying to burst one of the jars. Check out the best herbs to grow in mason jars.

You’ll also need to go with an herb that doesn’t require soil that easily drains because 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 it is instead of reaching for the refrigerator or pantry door. Here are some of the best herbs that 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 5 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 type of small rocks or marble will work. GASPRO River Rock Most craft stores sell many types of pebbles or rocks.

Step Two

I had some leftover Starting 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

These labels you can fill out 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

To be frankly honest, you can grow almost any herb inside of a mason jar, but the ones I’ll share below are some of the best ones that you should have the most success with. You can start from seedlings if you want to, but keep in mind that it may take up to two years before they reach 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, and also happens to look quite nice in your mason jars. The plant will also help to purify your home’s air, along with providing you with several other health benefits.  

Basil

Basil is one of those herbs that can help to 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, they will need closer to 10 hours.  

Chives

Chives are a grass-like herb that provides a bunch of flavor, and require very little upkeep for gardeners that have very 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 from time to time. Unlike most of the 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 them hydrated.   

Mint 

Having mint that’s always available to you will keep you from having to make a trip to the grocery store. It’s extremely easy to grow and spreads very quickly, so before it starts to take 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. But mint plants can tolerate dry soil from time to time as well. 

Oregano 

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

Parsley

Parsley is rather on the poor side when it comes to germinating, so in order to have good results you’ll want to plant several seeds in your mason jar. Besides needing consistent water and at least 6 hours of sunlight a day, parsley is one of those herbs that is self-sustaining for the most part. It’s a biennial plant, meaning that 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 come back for you year after year? Often referred to as a “woody herb,” rosemary will be one you’ll want to include in your mason jar project. Not only is it used for cooking, but also for ornamental and medicinal purposes. Rosemary needs a lot of direct sunlight and may even take up to two years before you can 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 of 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 too has certain medicinal properties and can thrive in all kinds of different climates. However, there is some patience that is required on your part when it comes to growing sage because you’ll have to wait about 80 days after planting before you can harvest them. 

Thyme

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

Final Word

Growing herbs in mason jars is fun and easy to do. All you will need to do is make sure you have a big enough mason jar and that they receive adequate lighting in a window or with fluorescent lighting. You fertilize them every once in a while and make sure the soil remains moist, but not too wet. Also, don’t forget to clearly mark each jar with what you have growing in them so that 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.