Growing your own herbs at home is one great way to save a little bit of money and live green. Basil, in particular, is popular in home herb gardens because it comes in a range of gorgeous variations.
Many of them are as beautiful as blossoming flowers. Of course, their leaves are pretty tasty, too.
One of the first things you’ll need to do when you decide to grow your own basil gets a planter. If you’re not certain which ones to get, we’ll discuss some of our favorites in this guide.
Don’t have time to read? Here’s a quick summary of the products we recommend.
| Product Name | Grade |
| Elongated Self-Watering Planter Window Box | A |
| Aerogarden Black Harvest | A+ |
| Self-Watering and Self-Aerating Round Planter | A+ |
Best Planters for Basil
Elongated Self-Watering Planter Window Box
Basil can be a little fussy, especially when it comes to its water intake. So if you’re the kind of person who often forgets to water their plants, you might want to look at something like this Elongated Self-Watering planter box.
It has a self-watering mechanism. Once you fill-up the reservoir, it can last for up to a week, keeping you from having to struggle to remind yourself to water.
At the bottom, there’s a drainage hole to protect your basil from becoming soaked. Any extra water can drip out of the hole.
Although if you’re concerned about it making a mess, you can use a plug to close the drainage hole.
Pros
- Self-watering.
- It can hold up to a week’s worth of water at once.
- Available in two different colors.
- It has a visible water level indicator so you can tell with a glance if you need to add more.
- Minimalist look.
Cons
- Some customers said the water level indicator is a bit fragile.
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Aerogarden Black Harvest
Are you looking for something that makes growing basil a dream? The Aerogarden Black Harvest is here to save the day.
It actually comes with a seed kit that includes two different kinds of basil, parsley, dill, thyme, and mint. You’ll be able to get started with your herb garden right away.
Basil is also a plant that needs a lot of sunlight, but the Aerogarden makes it possible to continue to grow it even if you’re not getting a bunch of the sun. It has a built-in LED light system that helps your herb garden get the light and warmth it needs.
Plus, it’s designed to grow your herbs in water. Because you won’t need a potting mixture, you won’t get messy soil everywhere in your house.
An easy-to-understand control panel on the front will tell you when you need to add water or food for your plants. You won’t need a green thumb to figure it out – all you’ll need to do is take a quick look.
Pros
- Includes seed kits so you can start growing your garden right from the get-go.
- A bright panel on the front tells you when you need to add anything to your plants.
- Looks sleek and high-tech.
- Built-in LED lights will help your garden get sufficient light.
- Because no soil is used in the planter, you won’t make a mess on your counters.
Cons
- A few customers said some of the included pod kits wouldn’t sprout, while others did not have the same issue.
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Self-Watering and Self-Aerating Round Planter
Do you need to go on a vacation and don’t have anyone to water your plants? That’s no problem for this Self-Watering and Self-Aerating Round Planter.
The water reservoir at the bottom can hold up to two weeks of water. That’s plenty of time for your vacation – and no plant sitter needed!
Beyond that, it has excellent draining and ventilation. Strips are cut out of the bottom, promoting airflow.
Your basil will be able to comfortably sip on just as much water as it needs without drowning in it.
Pros
- Self-watering.
- Openings in the bottom promote drainage and airflow.
- It comes in a few colors
- Lightweight and easy to transport.
- The plastic resists fading even in direct sunlight.
- The clip-on watering attachment keeps you from overfilling the water reservoir.
Cons
- The plastic isn’t as attractive as some other materials.
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Wilcoxen Enamel Wall Planter
With this Wilcoxen wall planter set, you can coordinate a design in a room. That’s because, instead of just one, you’ll get four planters that can mount to a wall here.
They’ve each been artificially distressed, so they have a well-loved and timeless aesthetic. These would give any kitchen an adorable antique feel.
If they get dirty, cleaning them up is quick and easy. Just run a dry cloth over them, and they’ll be nice and fresh for your next batch of herbs.
Pros
- It comes with four planters
- Antique look.
- Easy to clean.
- Includes the parts you need to mount them.
Cons
- It does not have drainage holes.
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Pemberville Fabric Pot Planter
Fabric planters are great for raising basil. They make it easy for your plants to breathe and for any sitting water to evaporate.
But the drawback to them is that many aren’t as pretty as other planters. Fortunately, this isn’t the case with Pemberville’s Fabric Pot Planter.
Its beautiful brown background is overlaid with a soothing beige leaf pattern. Little woven handles at the sides give it a down-to-earth feel.
You’ll get all the breathability and excellent drainage that comes with a fabric pot in a package you’ll be proud to show off.
Pros
- Cute leaf and floral pattern.
- Has handles to help you transport it, even if there’s a plant in it.
- Excellent ventilation.
- Has drainage holes
- Capable of withstanding weather conditions and UV rays.
- You can easily clean it off by rinsing it with a hose.
Cons
- Only available in one size and color.
Adamsdale Ceramic Planter Set
One of the best things about this Adamsdale Ceramic Planter set is that it comes with three planters. Each one is different, including a small, medium, and large planter.
Additionally, each one has the same exquisite pattern on it. A diamond design in the middle with two solid rings of vivid colors on the top and bottom makes them certainly easy on the eyes.
Because you’re getting three of them, you can splash the same design around one room or throughout your house.
Since they’re made from ceramic, they’ve got a particularly solid feel to them. Aside from looking high quality, it means they’re durable planters.
Pros
- Beautiful design in two different colors
- Sturdy ceramic.
- Has drainage holes on the bottom
- Resistant to weather conditions and rust.
- This set comes with three planters.
Cons
- It does not have a drainage tray to put under the holes.
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Keter Easy Grow Raised Garden Bed
This Keter Easy Grow Raised Garden Bed is perfect if you’re looking to grow a bunch of herbs at once. It has plenty of room, making it wonderful for putting on a balcony or a deck.
It has a drainage system that’s manually activated. Since it’s not just an open hole, you can use this planter inside your house, too.
It uses a water reservoir for self-watering. This reservoir has a gauge on it, so you can easily tell when your planter needs a refill.
It’s appealing to look at, as well. The weave texture calls woven baskets or wicker furniture to mind – with none of the instability.
Pros
- It has a built-in water reservoir with a gauge.
- Manually activate drainage so that it won’t drip all over your floor or balcony.
- Beautiful woven look.
- Plenty of room to plant herbs
- Simple to assemble.
Cons
- Only available in one size.
- Some assembly is required.
What to Consider when Buying Basil Planters
Size
Basil is a plant that likes its water. Because of this, it won’t want to be in completely dry soil – although it doesn’t want to sit in a puddle, either.
Because of this, the size of your planter is a bit more important. A larger one will keep soil from drying out completely.
Window boxes are also great for this. They tend to be very roomy, which is fantastic for plants like basil that like a little bit more space.
If you’re planning on putting more than one basil plant in the same pot, you’ll want an extra-large one. You’ll want to put them at least several inches apart to allow them the air circulation they like.
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Drainage
While plants, in general, enjoy the water, basil is especially thirsty. You shouldn’t allow its soil to become entirely dry.
That being said, you still shouldn’t let it become waterlogged, either. Look for planters that have sufficient drainage.
In most planters, this will look like openings in the bottom. Water can run off out through these openings.
In a self-watering planter, the plants are usually held up above the water reservoir, so their potting media doesn’t get soaked in the first place.
Material
The makeup of your planter could be important, too. A few materials are more conducive to the ventilation and drainage basil needs.
Fabric pots are a great choice for basil plants. They’re particularly breathable, encouraging air circulation around the plant.
But ceramic pots have their benefits, too. The material is great at retaining heat longer, which is ideal in colder areas.
Plastic could be worth your consideration, on the other hand. Since it’s not porous like ceramic, it retains water longer, allowing the soil to stay moist.
However, this drawback is that you’ll need to monitor your potting mixture to ensure it’s not getting soggy.
Wrap Up
Growing herbs right at home lets you enjoy the freshest possible flavors and potentially save a little money. Some of them can get pretty pricey in stores, after all.
We feel like the Aerogarden Black Harvest would make growing traditionally picky basil a snap. The panel on the front is great because it makes it clear when your plants need food or water.
As a bonus, the LED light on the top is great for people who live in areas with little sunlight. Now it’s possible to grow your own herbs wherever you live, which is an option we think everyone should be able to enjoy.
Want to grow more food at home? Avocado trees are a wonderful choice, and we have a guide on planters for them right here.
Hey, I’m Joey. I’ve been cooking since I was a little kid and love everything about it. You can find my writing about food, kitchen appliances (such as blenders) and much more. Thanks for stopping by!
