Custom Potted Hanging Herb Garden DIY

There have been so many cute hanging herb gardens popping up all over Pinterest and blogs online lately and we just couldn’t wait to create something fun of our own for the studio! This custom potted hanging herb garden was fun to make (just a couple of hours from start to finish!) and looks so good hanging from our ceiling. 

When you walk through the doors of our Fresh Collective studio, you look right into the kitchen area and at the side of a big refrigerator. I wanted to create something that was more aesthetically appealing to see without building a wall or having anything solid blocking the view, or the light. Enter our hanging herb garden!

This would also be perfect to have on a patio area as a way to create a vertical garden to save space, or to add beautiful, natural, edible greenery to a kitchen!

DIY HANGING HERB GARDEN

There were just a few items for us to buy, besides the potted herbs, but most we had on hand already.

We recently changed over our boys to a bunk bed situation in their room, and had a couple of pallets on hand from their previous beds, which we used for the wood in this project. For one, it was free, and two, the wood already had an aged look which is something I wanted.

Next up were the terra cotta pots, which only cost about $.70 at Home Depot and I used some white spray paint I already had to give them a good coat of white followed by a gold-dipped look with gold paint.

Also, save this project for later: Home Update: DIY Outdoor Planter Box for Hanging String Lighting

Here are the hanging garden instructions, with photos. You can also scroll to the end for a printable version!

Items needed to create a Custom Potted Hanging Herb Garden:

5 – 1/2″ planks, 24″ long x 5 1/2″ wide

8 – 3/16 threaded rod, 36″ long

4 – threaded rod coupling

20 – 3/16 nuts/washers

4 – 3/16 crown bolts

Drill

3 1/2″ hole saw

Instructions for How to Make a Hanging Garden:

1. Choose wood. We used 5 1/2″ wide boards from an old pallet we had. It saved us money plus the wood looks aged already.

2. Cut to size. Ours were cut to 24″ long.

3. Cut holes. We used 3 1/2″ holes to fit our terra cotta pots (found at Home Depot for only $.70/ea.)

With a 3 1/2″ hole saw bit and a drill center your holes. We made three holes per board at 5″ from the edge then 12″ then 19″. For our hanging herb garden we used 5 boards total.

4. Drill holes in four corners of each board 1″ from each side for threaded rods. Bit needs to be just bigger than your threaded rod.

5. We hung ours from a drywall ceiling so we drilled holes using 1/2 in hole saw bit in ceiling to fit the crown bolts.

6. Attach the crown bolts to one one side of threaded rod. Leave about 1″ – 1 1/2″ on one side of crown bolt.

7. Squeeze crown bolt and place through ceiling hole (it till reopen on other side to provide an anchor to hang from).

8. Slide the first board on the threaded rod and through the pre-drilled small holes. Keep at desired location by using the washer and nut to hold in place. This may take some time to thread all the way to the desired location.

9. Attach couplings and the next four threaded rods and repeat step 8 until you are out of shelving.100

Prep your pots and add in the herbs. Congratulations, you have a hanging garden!

If you plan to hang your vertical herb garden indoors, here are a few essential and best herbs to grow indoors:

Basil

Basil is easy to grow indoors, and such a perfect pairing for tomatoes, too. Pinch off individual leaves as. you need them to add in salads, sandwiches, or chiffonade as a garnish. Basil is also delicious for pesto and in sauces. This herb is not a long-term houseplant and after several weeks, you’ll need to replace it, so start a new batch of seeds as you’re using one plant!

Cilantro

Cilantro is short-lived by its nature and the plant won’t last forever, but it’s one we use OFTEN. Taco Tuesdays wouldn’t be the same without this addition to guac, salsa, on tacos, in our chili recipes, and more. Start planting from seedlings at two or three-week intervals to keep a steady supply.

Check out some family favorites: Slow Cooker White Chicken Chili and Family Favorite Chili Recipe. We even use cilantro on our Thai Burgers With Peanut Sauce and 5 Barbeque Side Ideas for the Win!

Chives

Chives grow best in bright light, like a south-facing window. These recognizable spiky leaves are widely used and the perfect addition to eggs, soups, and salads, and as pretty garnishes, too. Gathering these leaves are easy with the snip of scissors as needed, or you can even give the whole plant a “crew cut” to keep floppy leaves tidy – just make sure to leave at least 2″ of growth.

Mint

Having a variety of mint is one of our favorite additions to an herb garden. In fact, my kids like to pick off leaves and chew them almost like gum, especially chocolate mint! Choose from varieties like peppermint, spearmint, chocolate, orange, banana, and more. Snip leaves and sprigs for tea and other drinks, flavored waters, salads, and desserts.

We typically add mint to flavored waters like these Delicious Detox Waters to Cleanse and Burn Fat

Oregano

Another must for your herb garden that adds a boost of flavor to Italian, Mexican, and Middle Eastern cuisines. oregano is member of the mint family. Snip a stem and strip the leaves to use in tomato sauces, on meats, casseroles, soups and stews.

Parsley

With either a curly or flat-leaf, parsley is another herb that will get used often. Of course it’s known to be a garnish, but we’re huge fans of the fresh, bright flavor it adds to sauces, soups, salads, pesto, meats, casseroles, veggies, and more. Use by pinching off stems near the base and removing leaves from the stem.

Rosemary

You can expect your kitchen or indoor area to get a boost of fragrance from this one! The needled leaves are a must-have herb for me, and we add it to chicken, pork, steak, soups, potatoes, sauces, and more. Snip sprigs and toss into soups or stews, or strip the leaves from the stem and mince.

Thyme

Thyme is easy to grow, and its flavorful variety lends itself to be used in just about every dish and cuisine.

Lemon Balm

Lemon Balm is another fun herb to have, and while it’s not as common, it’s a really bright, refreshing addition to any dish. Treat it just like you would any other herb, pick the leaves and chop or chifonnade to add to salads, especially delicious on fruit salads, or drinks.

Related post for your garden area: How to Make a DIY Grill Table You’ll Love

Besides this hanging garden being a cute way to display herbs and a great way to cover an eye sore we wanted to hide, our kids love noshing on the chocolate mint leaves and lemon balm – they just pick and chew! 

What do you think? Have you seen herb gardens that you like or have you tried your hand at making one yourself?

If you happen to make one like this, I’d love to see!! Just tag me on Instagram or Twitter so I can see it!

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