The 14 Best Herb Garden Tools for 2023

A sturdy planter box will give your herbs room to stretch their roots while keeping everything nice and tidy. It’s important that a planter box provides proper drainage as soggy soil can cause roots to rot, and this one has two drainage holes and a design that allows you to either add soil directly inside the planter or use it as a holder for pots within. It’s also both indoor- and outdoor-friendly, so it’s an excellent choice no matter where your herb garden is meant to grow.

Price at time of publish: $102

Herb Soil

Leaves and Soul Professional Indoor Herb Plant Soil

Like any other plant, herbs thrive best when they’re nestled in soil capable of providing much-needed nutrients. This indoor herb soil is ready to use right out of the bag and is perfect for your favorite windowsill herbs. 

Price at time of publish: $14

Herb Preserver

NOVART XXL Herb Keeper

While it’s true that one of the perks of growing your own herbs at home is being able to harvest them as needed, sometimes you’ll find yourself with an abundance of clipped herbs — and now what? Enter the Novart XXL Herb Keeper, which keeps herbs fresh in the refrigerator for up to three weeks. Just put a little water in the bottom of the container, then store herbs upright for easy access and no squishing. 

The only downside of Novart’s herb preserver is that, true to its name, it’s quite large and thus isn’t suitable for smaller fridges. If you’re tight on space, we also like the OXO Good Grips GreenSaver Herb Keeper.

Price at time of publish: $30

Indoor Garden Grower

AeroGarden Harvest Elite with Gourmet Herb Seed Pod Kit

Perfect for small spaces or anyone just looking to dabble in herb growing, the AeroGarden Harvest Elite is our top pick when it comes to indoor herb gardens. The hydroponic setup means there’s no fussing with messy soil, and the built-in lighting system means you can place the garden wherever is most convenient for your home — window or no window.

The AeroGarden comes with everything you need to get started, so it’s great for beginners and busy lifestyles alike.

Price at time of publish: $159

Herb Stripper

Luxiv Stainless Steel Kitchen Herb Leaf Stripping Tool

An herb stripper might feel like a gimmicky gadget, but once you’ve made quick work of a few stems of rosemary or kale, we bet you’ll have a new perspective! A good herb stripper will have several different-sized holes, and the idea is that you pass the tip of a stem through the appropriate hole, pull it gently, and the leaves or needles will come right off.  

This herb stripper from Luxiv is so affordable and easy to toss into a drawer, you’ll wonder why you didn’t have one before. 

Price at time of publish: $6

Jenaluca Herb Scissors Set

Skip the tedious chopping and work more efficiently with these five-blade scissors. They work overtime to create perfectly uniform strips for garnish, like basil, chives, parsley, and more. You can also use them to fine-chop lettuce or other leafy greens of your choice. They come with a plastic protector to safeguard you from the sharp blades as well as a comb to pull out any strips caught in between when cutting. To clean, simply rinse with water, or for messier jobs, throw them in the dishwasher.

Price at time of publish: $16

Herb Spinner

FELCO Model 322 Snips

Gardening experts recommend clipping herbs with a purpose-built snipping tool rather than regular scissors, which aren’t always sharp enough to make quick, clean cuts. Squishing the stem can hinder the plant’s ability to take in water which can stifle — or fully prevent — further growth. These snips from Felco are strong, ultra-sharp, and ergonomically friendly, so you won’t damage your plants as you harvest or trim.

Price at time of publish: $23

Herb Pruner

FELCO F-2 One-Hand Pruning Shear

For studier, woody plants like fruit trees or ivy, it’s best to step up from the snips and instead reach for a proper pair of pruners. Again, we recommend Felco for the task, as these pruners feature even stronger, sharper blades that cut right through stems and small branches with minimal impact.  

Price at time of publish: $59

Gardening Gloves

Wonder Grip Nicely Nimble Garden Gloves

Gardening gloves aren’t just for gardeners who spend their whole day in the backyard — a great pair of gloves can be an indispensable tool for herb gardens, too. These gloves from Wonder Grip offer, as you might expect from the name, a solid grip with plenty of protection from soil, thorns, sticky leaves, and lots more. They’re also highly flexible to allow you to maintain dexterity as you’re working. Pick up a pair of gloves for potting, replanting, and weeding — especially if your herb garden is outdoors.

Price at time of publish: $12

Watering Can

Homarden Copper 40-ounce Watering Can

Watering your herbs shouldn’t feel like a chore, and with this elegant watering can, it might even be a task you’ll look forward to! We like the long, narrow neck that snakes politely between plants and easily tucks into tight corners. The generously curved handle means the can is always comfortable to hold and pour from no matter how full, which helps reduce spills and wrist strain. This can is suitable for both indoor and outdoor use and looks nice enough you won’t won’t even want to stash it away between uses. 

Price at time of publish: $30

Herb Seeds

Seed Needs Culinary Herb Seed Packet Collection

Arguably the most fun part of setting up an herb garden is the part where you get to choose exactly what you’ll grow. This seed collection sets you up with 12 types of herbs — including thyme, savory, sage, rosemary, parsley, oregano, marjoram, dill, chives, cilantro, basil, and borage — just add them to your desired pots or planter with a nutrient-rich herb soil and wait for the magic to happen.

Price at time of publish: $14

Soil Knife

A.M. Leonard Deluxe Soil Knife & Leather Sheath Combo

If you haven’t worked with a soil knife before, it’s sure to become your new favorite gardening tool. This one from A.M. Leonard features 6-inch measurements with a tapered tip and both smooth and serrated edges. It’s perfect for planting seeds or creating space in the soil to replant a potted herb plant. Since the blade is slightly concave, it even works like a trowel to move soil without having to switch tools. This is a multi-functional knife you’ll be eager to reach for.

Price at time of publish: $50

All-in-One Tool Kit

Pure Garden Tote & Garden Tool 8-piece Set

Sometimes it’s nice to have a complete tool kit ready to go, and this handy set includes just about anything you might need to get started with an at-home herb garden. You’ll find pruning shears, snips, a trowel, a hand rake, a hand shovel, wire ties, and a spray bottle, all tucked into a tote bag with lots of pockets and plenty of extra storage for other accessories you might have. 

Price at time of publish: $21