I’ve always loved the idea of having fresh herbs right outside the door. But finding space that works, and looks good, hasn’t always been easy.
That’s where herb spirals come in, they’re practical, pretty, and they don’t take up much room.
If you’re anything like me, you want something simple that you can pull off over a weekend without a ton of fuss. These spirals hit that sweet spot.
1. Vertical PVC Pipe Herb Spiral
When I was renting a small place, I rigged up a spiral with PVC pipes on my balcony. It changed the game.
Stacking pipes vertically gave me more herbs in way less space. Plus, no back pain from bending down all the time.
I drilled holes along the sides, filled it with soil, and planted my herbs in the cutouts. It didn’t just save space, it actually looked pretty cool against the wall.
2. Rustic Stone Herb Spiral
There’s just something comforting about the look of real stone. I built this kind of spiral in my mom’s garden and it’s still going strong years later.
The stones hold in warmth, which helped her thyme and oregano thrive like crazy.
We planted basil near the base, where water tends to collect, and rosemary up top where it stays dry. The spiral shape made it all work together naturally.
3. Recycled Brick Herb Spiral
We had leftover bricks after a patio redo, and I couldn’t stand letting them go to waste. So, I used them to build a spiral herb bed near the kitchen door.
It felt so satisfying stacking those bricks into a spiral. I didn’t use mortar, just packed soil between the gaps.
The red brick warmed up the space visually, and the herbs really liked the extra heat too. It gave the garden a cozy touch.
4. Cinder Block Spiral
This one was all about function. I needed something quick, sturdy, and budget-friendly. Cinder blocks were just lying around, so I stacked them into a wide spiral.
I planted mint and parsley inside the block holes and added soil between each layer for dill and basil.
What I love most? The whole thing stayed in place, didn’t tip, and gave me clean lines and plenty of growing space.
5. Woven Willow Herb Spiral
One spring, I helped a friend build this out of branches we trimmed from her willow tree. It turned out to be one of the prettiest things in her yard.
We wove the branches into a low spiral wall and filled it with soil and compost.
It was such a natural look. She planted chamomile, chives, and lavender. It didn’t cost a cent, and it just felt right sitting among the trees.
6. Tiered Concrete Herb Spiral
When I wanted something really long-lasting, I went with concrete planters. I stacked them in a spiral, a little taller each step.
It gave a nice modern touch and felt super clean and sturdy.
The tiers made watering easier since everything drained downward, and my sage and cilantro seemed to love the setup. I even added a little solar light in the center for fun.
7. Clay Pot Spiral Stack
I had a stack of terra cotta pots in the shed, some with cracks, but I used them anyway. I stacked them diagonally into a spiral and filled each one with a different herb.
This one looked like a sculpture but actually grew some of my best mint and basil ever.
What I liked most was how easy it was to move. When a storm rolled in, I could just carry it under cover in pieces.
8. Wooden Crate Spiral
I’ve always had a soft spot for old wooden crates. I scored a few at a garage sale and turned them into a spiral bed in the side yard.
We lined them with fabric, added soil, and arranged them in a spiraling tower.
It looked so charming. I grew cilantro, dill, and parsley, things I cook with almost daily. The aged wood gave it a farmhouse feel I absolutely loved.
9. Metal Ring Spiral Garden
This was one I did for a client who loved clean lines and modern vibes. We used thin metal strips to create the spiral edge and filled the center with dark, rich soil.
The structure held its shape perfectly, and the herbs popped against the silver metal.
We kept it low so she could harvest everything easily. She called it her “herb sculpture”, and honestly, that’s exactly what it felt like.
10. Pallet Wood Spiral
I once broke down an old pallet just to see if I could turn it into something useful, and this spiral was the result.
I cut the slats and set them in a spiral on the ground. It felt super satisfying to use what I already had.
It wasn’t fancy, but it did the job. The herbs grew great, and the rough wood aged into a nice silver tone that fit in perfectly with the rest of the garden.
11. Galvanized Tub Herb Spiral
I had an old galvanized tub sitting in the shed, and it finally found its purpose. I cut the sides and shaped them into a rough spiral, then filled the whole thing with soil.
It came together faster than I expected, and the metal gave it a rustic, farmhouse feel.
I planted dill and cilantro toward the bottom and thyme near the top. The tub kept everything neat and stopped weeds from creeping in.
Also Read – 22 Herb Garden Ideas
12. Spiral with Raised Bed Edging
I used leftover raised bed edging to trace a spiral path right on the ground. It was surprisingly easy to bend and stake into place.
Once the shape was set, I filled it in with soil and compost. Then came the fun part—planting!
The edging gave it structure, but still blended into the yard. I tucked in marjoram, basil, and some chives. No digging, just good soil and a weekend of work.
13. Spiral in a Whiskey Barrel
One summer, I got a half whiskey barrel on sale. I cut and stacked bricks inside to make a spiral staircase effect, then packed soil between the steps.
It turned out compact and charming, just the right size for a patio herb setup.
I loved how easy it was to reach everything. Parsley at the bottom, oregano on the mid-levels, and mint up top. The smell when I watered it—heaven.
14. Hanging Spiral with Baskets
I needed something for a small balcony, so I used hanging wire baskets arranged in a spiraling pattern from a tall shepherd’s hook.
Each basket held one or two herbs, and they caught the sunlight at different times of day.
This setup was so lightweight and flexible. I could swap herbs out if one wasn’t happy, and it made watering a breeze. Plus, it looked kind of magical when it swayed in the breeze.
15. Spiral in a Tree Stump Base
There was this old hollow stump in the yard that I couldn’t bring myself to get rid of. One day, I filled it with soil and planted a mini herb spiral on top using small rocks.
The wood added so much character, and the herbs thrived in the cozy spot.
It became the talk of the backyard. I kept creeping thyme and oregano in it. It didn’t need much space to be beautiful and useful.
16. Spiral with Glass Bottles
I had a box of glass soda bottles gathering dust. So, I buried them neck-down to trace a spiral path. It turned out to be one of the most eye-catching things I’ve ever built.
The sunlight bounced off the glass, and it became a conversation starter instantly.
Inside the spiral, I kept things simple with basil, dill, and thyme. It was easy to maintain, and I loved how the bottles gave it a recycled, artsy vibe.
17. Spiral on a Slope
If your yard has a slope like mine did, don’t fight it—work with it. I laid bricks in a spiral, adjusting the height to match the hill.
Gravity helped with drainage, and I didn’t need to do much digging.
This one turned into my favorite herb garden ever. I added mulch paths and planted lavender at the top, basil midway, and mint at the lower, wetter end.
18. Spiral Around a Birdbath
This idea came out of pure curiosity. I had a birdbath that never got much love, so I built a short spiral around its base with flat stones.
The herbs circled the pedestal like a ribbon—chives, lemon balm, and parsley.
The birds got water, and I got a daily herb harvest. It brought life to a forgotten corner and gave the garden a peaceful, lived-in feel.
Conclusion
Herb spirals aren’t just a way to grow food, they’re a little creative moment you get to enjoy every day. I’ve built a few of these over the years, and each one brought its own charm and surprises.
If you’ve got a bit of soil, some scrap material, and a love for fresh herbs, give one of these a try. Start simple. Build it up. Before you know it, you’ll be snipping thyme with one hand and stirring soup with the other.