Herbs in glass bottle

Question

I read this page Mason Jar Wall Planter and many people complain about the bottles not having drain holes, but many others said that simply adding some rocks at the bottom will fix it.

What do you think? is it possible to grow herbs in this kind of bottles without drain holes?

Answer 1

This is essentially a pot without drainage. Most herbs do not like to sit in wet soil so you need to have a drainage layer and a soil separator topped with a soil or soil less mix. Here are the things I have used for a drainage layer:

• peastone gravel - attractive but heavy
• styrofoam peanuts - light, colorful but maybe not what you want near something you will eat
• marbles, ping pong balls, glass rounds are other options

A soil separator keeps the soil out of the drainage layer when you water. I have used:

• landscape fabric
• pantyhose

Watering a container without a drain is a challenge. If you let the soil really dry out it contracts and water runs down the side and sits in the bottom. If you water too much you will get root rot.

Try and supply as much light as possible and try with chives or parsley which are fairly easy to grow. Good luck!

Answer 2

Well its hard to say if its ok or not . it all depends on the herb and how much you water the plant, each plant varies. Like rosemary only needs to be watered when it dries out, while mint plants love to have lots of water. I would try it out and see how it goes. good luck