11 Budget-Friendly Growing Herbs Indoors Ideas You Can Try This Weekend

8 Apr, 2026

 You do not need a fancy greenhouse, a giant kitchen, or a mysterious talent that only grandmas seem to have. You can grow herbs indoors with a few cheap supplies, a sunny window, and about the same amount of effort you use to keep your phone charged.


I started growing herbs indoors after I paid way too much for a sad little pack of basil at the grocery store. Three days later, that basil looked like it had survived a tiny plant apocalypse. I figured I could do better at home, and honestly, I did.

If you want fresh herbs without spending a fortune, you can try these budget-friendly growing herbs indoors ideas this weekend. Most of them cost less than takeout, and unlike that random kitchen gadget you bought at 2 a.m., you will actually use them.

1. Start With Mason Jars Instead of Expensive Pots

Mason jars work surprisingly well for growing herbs indoors. You probably already have a few hiding in the back of a cabinet next to that one chipped mug you refuse to throw away.

You can grow herbs like basil, mint, parsley, and cilantro in mason jars with a little potting soil and proper drainage. Ever wondered why some indoor herb gardens fail so quickly? Most people forget that roots hate soggy soil.

How to Make Mason Jars Work

  • Add a layer of small pebbles or gravel at the bottom
  • Fill the jar with light indoor potting soil
  • Plant your herb seeds or starter plant
  • Place the jar near a sunny window

If you want extra drainage, poke holes in the lid and use the lid ring to hold a small plastic cup inside the jar. It looks clever, and honestly, it makes you feel like a tiny gardening genius.

2. Use Kitchen Scraps to Regrow Herbs

You do not always need seeds or starter plants. Some herbs grow back from scraps you already have in your kitchen. Yes, your leftovers can finally contribute something besides guilt.

Green onions, mint, basil, and even lemongrass regrow easily in water. I tried this with green onions one weekend because I felt cheap. Turns out, cheap sometimes wins.

Best Herbs to Regrow From Scraps

  • Green onions: Place the white root ends in a glass of water
  • Basil: Put cut stems in water until roots appear
  • Mint: Place healthy cuttings in water for one week
  • Lemongrass: Set the root end in a shallow bowl of water

Change the water every couple of days. Once roots grow, move the herbs into soil. You get fresh herbs for almost nothing, which feels oddly satisfying.

3. Turn Old Coffee Cans Into Herb Planters

Old coffee cans make fantastic herb containers. They hold enough soil, they fit nicely on windowsills, and they cost exactly zero dollars if you already drink coffee.

I love this idea because it combines indoor herb gardening with a little DIY creativity. You can paint the cans, wrap them in twine, or leave them plain if you enjoy that “I definitely meant to do this” look.

Herbs That Grow Well in Coffee Cans

  • Chives
  • Parsley
  • Oregano
  • Thyme

Drill or punch a few holes in the bottom before you add soil. Please do not skip that step unless you want your herbs to sit in a swamp. Herbs hate swamp life. They did not sign up for that.

4. Grow Herbs on a Sunny Windowsill

The cheapest indoor herb garden idea might also be the easiest. Put your herbs on a sunny windowsill and let nature handle most of the work.

Most indoor herbs need at least six hours of sunlight every day. South-facing windows usually work best. If your kitchen gets great morning light, herbs like basil and cilantro will absolutely love it.

Best Herbs for Sunny Windowsills

  • Basil
  • Rosemary
  • Cilantro
  • Parsley
  • Oregano

FYI, rotate the pots every few days. Herbs lean toward the light like dramatic little divas auditioning for a spotlight.

5. Create a Vertical Herb Garden With Shoe Organizers

If you live in a small apartment, you probably do not have room for twenty herb pots sitting everywhere. I tried that once, and my kitchen looked like a jungle designed by chaos.

A hanging shoe organizer solves that problem. You can hang one near a bright window and fill each pocket with soil and herbs.

Why Shoe Organizers Work So Well

  • They save space
  • They cost less than fancy vertical planters
  • They let you grow several herbs at once
  • They keep your countertop clutter-free

You can grow mint, parsley, oregano, thyme, and basil in separate pockets. Label each pocket if you want to stay organized. Otherwise, you might play a fun game called “Guess Which Herb I Just Added to My Pasta.”

6. Use Egg Cartons to Start Herb Seeds

Egg cartons make perfect seed starters for indoor herbs. They cost almost nothing, and they help you test several herbs before you commit to larger pots.

I use cardboard egg cartons every spring because they make the whole process simple. I also feel strangely productive while doing it, which never hurts :)

How to Start Herb Seeds in Egg Cartons

  1. Fill each section with potting soil
  2. Add one or two herb seeds
  3. Water lightly
  4. Place the carton near a bright window
  5. Move the seedlings into larger containers after two or three weeks

This method works especially well for:

  • Basil
  • Parsley
  • Dill
  • Cilantro

7. Buy Herbs From the Grocery Store and Repot Them

Grocery stores sell cheap herb plants in the produce section. You can buy one for a few dollars, split it into smaller sections, and repot each section at home.

This trick gives you several herb plants for the price of one. Why buy a tiny designer herb kit when a grocery store basil plant can do the same job? IMO, the answer seems pretty obvious.

Herbs That Repot Easily

  • Basil
  • Mint
  • Parsley
  • Cilantro

Separate the roots gently and place each section in its own container. Water the plants well and keep them in bright light for a few days.

You might lose one or two sections, and that is fine. Plants act dramatic after a move. Honestly, I do too.

8. Make Your Own Cheap Grow Light Setup

Not everyone has a bright, sunny window. Some apartments seem determined to block every ray of sunlight like they work for a secret vampire society.

You can still grow herbs indoors with an inexpensive grow light. You do not need a complicated setup or a giant hydroponic system that costs more than your monthly grocery bill.

Budget Grow Light Ideas

  • Use a simple LED desk lamp
  • Buy an inexpensive clip-on grow light
  • Place the light 6 to 12 inches above the herbs
  • Keep the light on for 10 to 12 hours each day

Herbs like basil, thyme, parsley, and oregano grow well under artificial light. A basic LED grow light often costs less than twenty dollars, and it lasts for months.

9. Group Herbs Together to Save Money and Space

Some herbs grow well together because they like the same amount of sunlight and water. Grouping them in one container saves space and reduces the number of pots you need.

You do need to choose the right combinations. Mint spreads everywhere and takes over containers like it pays rent. Keep mint in its own pot unless you enjoy chaos.

Best Herb Combinations for Indoor Gardens

Great together:

  • Basil, parsley, and cilantro
  • Thyme, oregano, and rosemary
  • Chives and parsley

Keep separate:

  • Mint
  • Lemon balm

This setup makes watering easier, and it keeps your indoor herb garden organized. Ever notice how much better everything looks when it actually fits in one place?

10. Reuse Plastic Containers as Mini Greenhouses

You know those clear plastic containers from salad mixes or bakery treats? Save them. They make perfect mini greenhouses for growing herbs indoors.

These containers trap warmth and moisture, which helps seeds sprout faster. You can use them for basil, parsley, cilantro, and dill.

How to Make a Mini Greenhouse

  • Fill small cups or seed trays with soil
  • Plant your herb seeds
  • Place the cups inside the clear plastic container
  • Close the lid loosely
  • Open the lid for a few minutes each day

Once the seedlings appear, remove the lid completely. If you leave it on too long, the plants get weak and leggy. Nobody wants herbs that look like they skipped leg day.

11. Choose the Cheapest Herbs That Grow Fast

Some herbs grow faster and easier than others. If you want quick results, start with herbs that practically grow themselves.

Fast-growing herbs give you fresh leaves within a few weeks. They also help you build confidence. Nothing motivates you faster than seeing actual progress on your windowsill.

Best Budget-Friendly Herbs for Beginners

  • Basil
  • Mint
  • Chives
  • Parsley
  • Cilantro

These herbs cost very little to grow indoors. You can start them from seeds, scraps, or grocery store plants. They also work in tons of recipes, which means you will actually use them instead of letting them sit there looking decorative and slightly judgmental.

Common Mistakes That Kill Indoor Herbs

Even the best indoor herb garden ideas can go wrong if you make a few classic mistakes. I made every single one of these at least once, so you do not need to repeat my tiny plant disasters.

Watch Out for These Problems

  • Too much water: Herbs drown faster than people realize
  • Not enough sunlight: Most herbs need at least six hours of light
  • No drainage holes: Wet roots create a fast trip to plant doom
  • Crowded containers: Herbs need room to grow
  • Ignoring dead leaves: Trim them often to keep plants healthy

If your herbs start turning yellow or droopy, check the soil first. Dry soil means they need water. Soggy soil means you need to stop loving them so aggressively.

Why Growing Herbs Indoors Saves Money

Fresh herbs cost a ridiculous amount at the grocery store. You buy one tiny bunch of parsley, use three leaves, and then forget about the rest until it turns into a sad green science experiment in the fridge.

When you grow herbs indoors, you cut your grocery bill and waste less food. You also get fresher flavor because you pick the herbs right before you use them.

A small indoor herb garden can save you money all year. You only need:

  • A few containers
  • Potting soil
  • Seeds or starter plants
  • Sunlight or a cheap grow light

That setup costs much less than buying fresh herbs every week. Plus, you get the weirdly satisfying feeling of saying, “Oh, I grew that myself.”

Final Thoughts

You do not need a huge budget or a perfect home to start growing herbs indoors. You only need a few simple supplies, a little sunlight, and the willingness to experiment.

Try one or two of these budget-friendly growing herbs indoors ideas this weekend. Start with mason jars, coffee cans, or even a grocery store basil plant. Keep it simple, have fun, and do not panic if one plant refuses to cooperate.

Every indoor gardener kills a plant eventually. It almost feels like a rite of passage. The good news? Herbs forgive you pretty quickly, and your next batch will probably grow even better.



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