There are a few important factors to consider when purchasing an herb garden, especially if you plan to use it indoors.
Base: There are many different types of indoor herb gardens, but the two most popular use one of two bases: hydroponics or soil. In terms of growing capacity, one is not better than the other, but depending on your preferences, one may be better suited than the other. The former is definitely easier to operate on a daily basis (usually dirt-free), but it uses a lot of electricity and requires a bit more specialized equipment than the traditional method of growing herbs in soil. Traditional soil doesn't require any specialized equipment (not even grow lights). So, if you want to literally get your hands dirty and get your gardening chops on, soil might be your best option. “Indoor growing systems are typically automated, all-in-one growing setups that include pots, growing medium, and a lighting solution,” explains Diane Kuthy, founder and lead gardening expert at How to Grow Everything. “Most indoor growing systems use hydroponics as the growing medium, but some also include specific soilless media like wool or peat cubes.” The options are truly endless.
Regular Care and Maintenance: Some of the systems on our list have automatic watering features and even grow lights, so you basically just program your planter and keep an eye on it and you'll notice lots of stems popping up. When it comes to soil-based systems, it requires a bit more work, like monitoring the amount of sunlight and water your plants are receiving.
Herb capacity: If you want to grow a few common herbs that you use regularly, you don't need to have a ton of herbs in your garden; one or two will suffice. On the other hand, if you want to turn your kitchen into an herb garden, make sure your system can accommodate enough herb pods.