Do you want a cookie?

Green thumbs, watch out! We use cookies on our website - not the delicious ones for snacking, but the digital helpers. They enable us to find out how our website is used. If you click on "Accept", our virtual garden gnomes will be happy and promise to guard your data like their own watering can. You can find more information in our Privacy Policy.

Blog Artikel Banner Bild

How to build and plant a herb spiral: layout and planting plan

22.07.2021  /  Reading time: 12 minutes

Every herb lover would love to have a herb spiral or herb snail in their own garden. They can accommodate a wide variety of herbs in a small space, which you can use in the kitchen as spices or medicinal plants. A herb spiral also looks great in the garden. In this article, you will learn how to create and plant your own herb spiral.

This article contains:

  1. Building a herb snail pays off
  2. Creating a herb spiral: the right location
  3. Herb spiral: instructions
  4. Which soil for herbs?
  5. The best time: when to plant herbs?
  6. Planting the herb snail: 4 zone plan
  7. Mixed culture planting plan: ideas for your herb snail
  8. Table: Which herbs go together? (PDF)
  9. Frequently asked questions about the herb spiral

Quick Overview

Herb spiral: building instructions

  • Habitat: full sun and warm
  • Dimensions: highest point at 31,5 inches, diameter 2,2 to 3,3 yards
  • Material: fist-thick stones, gravel, crushed stone, compost, sand, humus-rich soil, pond liner

  1. Mark the ground plan
  2. Dig up topsoil to spade depth and lay turf upside down on top
  3. Lay a gravel foundation
  4. Build a retaining wall
  5. Fill with coarse gravel (15,7 inches high layer in the middle, thinning out towards the outside)
  6. Fill with soil (note the differences in zones!)
  7. Alternatively: create a pond
  8. Sit back and wait, after 5 to 10 days you can plant your herb spiral

Building a herb snail pays off

A herb snail differs from a classic herb bed mainly in its design. Thanks to its snail-like structure, in which different soil and site conditions can be created in stages, a wide variety of herbs find the ideal conditions to grow and thrive. Mediterranean, sun-loving herbs can be planted at the very top, in the middle of the spiral. The spiral slopes downwards towards the outside until it reaches the ground. This creates different moisture zones within the spiral, which are supplemented with different substrates. In this way, a spot can be created for Mediterranean as well as native and water-loving herbs.

Creating a herb spiral: the right location

A herb spiral provides a place for a wide variety of herbs that would not normally grow in the same location. Mediterranean sun worshippers such as rosemary, lavender or thyme like it warm and sunny and want to face south. The highest part should therefore face south and the lowest part north. This is because this is where herbs are planted that like to have wet feet and also like to be in partial shade. In general, however, most herbs prefer a sheltered, full-sun location and plenty of warmth.

Ready-built stone herb spiral with pond
The snail-like structure creates different site conditions. Image by PermaKulturgut.de, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Can you build a herb spiral on the balcony?

Herb snails require a lot of space and a sunny location facing south. Therefore, not every balcony is suitable. If both of these apply to you, you can start planning, although you must take the load-bearing capacity of your balcony into account. Lighter materials such as wood are better suited as building materials.

Herb spiral: instructions


Material:

  • Bricks or natural stones that are at least as thick as a fist
  • Gravel and crushed stone
  • Compost, humus-rich soil and sand
  • Alternatively: pond liner or bucket

Step-by-step instructions:

  • Find a suitable spot as described above and mark the outline of your herb spiral on the ground; it should have two turns. The best way to do this is to use stakes with a string between them.
  • Now dig up the topsoil within the boundaries to the depth of a spade and lay the turf on the ground around it.
  • Now cover the base area with gravel or rubble to create a foundation as a stable base for the wall. This gravel foundation also acts as a drainage system, preventing waterlogging. Next, build the spiral retaining wall. To do this, simply stack the bricks or natural stones on top of each other. Start with the first row of stones to create the complete shape of the spiral. The retaining wall gets higher and higher from the outside to the inside, reaching its highest point in the middle at around 31,5 in. Garden animals such as lizards or slow worms will find a home in the gaps and plants will also settle there over time. You can also sow strawberries, dost or thyme in the gaps right from the start and once your basic structure is stable, fill it with coarse gravel or crushed stone. You can place a 15,7 in thick layer in the middle, which becomes thinner and thinner towards the outside and finally runs out with the pond
  • Then fill in the soil. Do not use standard soil for this, as the aim is to create different areas. You can find out exactly how to fill your herb snail with soil and what you need to bear in mind further down in this article.
  • Once your herb snail has been set up and filled, the work is done and you can sit back and relax. Give the soil some time to settle. After a few rain showers (if it's too dry, you should water every now and then) you can see whether you need to add more soil or not.
  • After 5 - 10 days you can plant your herb spiral.

Herb spiral on a slope made of stones
This is the herb spiral from my garden and we have integrated it into the slope due to the hillside location. Here we have planted hanging rosemary, thyme, rosemary, lemon thyme, lavender, sage, mint, tarragon, jiaogulan, sorrel, lemon balm, lemon verbena and chervil.

Which soil for herbs?

To ensure that all herbs feel at home, you should adjust the soil in the different zones accordingly. The proportion of humus and sand is particularly important, as this allows you to regulate the water and nutrient balance of the soil. It is therefore essential that you know what your herbs need in order to plant them in the right place later on. How to mix the soil in the zones is explained below:

  • For the uppermost zone (Mediterranean zone), mix half of the garden soil with sand and, if your garden soil is particularly clayey, with gravel. The proportion of sand gradually decreases towards the bottom, which is the transition to the temperate zone of the herb snail
  • In the middle area (temperate zone), the garden soil is enriched with compost and humus-rich soil, with the proportion increasing towards the bottom
  • The spiral ends with the moist zone. Here the mixture consists only of humus soil and compost

The best time: when to plant herbs?

Spring is the best time to plant your herb spiral, so the herbs have the whole summer to grow well before the cold winter arrives. In addition, some herbs are only hardy to a limited extent and need to be covered in winter or will retreat into the ground. If you still want to plant in the fall, you should only replant these herbs in the spring. For planting, it is best to get pre-grown young plants of organic quality from the market or similar. This is because many herbs take a long time to grow, especially the warmth-loving herbs.


Planting the herb snail: 4 zone plan

A herb spiral can be divided into four zones and should be planted accordingly. When selecting plants for your herb spiral, you should pay attention to the plants' needs in terms of location and soil, as well as which neighbors they harmonize particularly well with.

4 zones in the herb spiral
The herb spiral is divided into four zones: Zone 1 (Mediterranean zone), Zone 2 (temperate zone), Zone 3 (humid zone) and Zone 4 (pond zone).

Our tip: However, there are also exceptions that should not be planted in the herb snail. Herbs such as lovage (Levisticum officinale) and comfrey (Symphytum) are loners, as they inhibit the growth of other herbs through root substances and strong root growth.


Herb spiral with pond

A small pond can be created at the base of the spiral. You can use a bucket for this or dig a hole about 15,7 inches deep and line it with pond liner. Pour a thin layer of sand into the hole before and after so that the liner sits better. You can place large stones on the edge of the liner to secure it. This creates a humid microclimate that attracts insects and provides moisture on hot days. Unfortunately, a mini pond is not suitable for growing edible aquatic plants as it would need to be larger. However, watercress (Nasturtium officinale) feels very much at home in the soil of the predominantly moist pond edge.


Zone 1: Mediterranean herbs

Planting rosemary in a raised bed
Rosemary and thyme get along well and can be planted next to each other in the herb spiral due to their similar needs. Image by stux on Pixabay.

The uppermost area is the Mediterranean zone . Warmth-loving plants that prefer to grow in well-drained, poor, light soil find a place here.

Table of Mediterranean herbs: planting distance & neighbors

Planting distance Good neighbors Bad neighbors
Savory 7,8 x 9,8 in Oregano, sage, thyme Basil, lovage, mint
Italian Strawflower 11,8 x 11,8 in Savory, lavender, sage, thyme, tarragon
Lavender 15,7 x 11,8 in Lemon balm, thyme, sage, curry herb, oregano, hyssop, rosemary Parsley
Rosemary 9,8 x 9,8 in Oregano, sage, thyme, lavender, basil Lovage, chives
Thymie 9,8 x 11,8 in Savory, tarragon, lemon balm, rosemary, sage, chives, hyssop, lavender Basil, dill, lovage, marjoram, mint

Zone 2: The hungry herbs

Sage plant
Sage is best planted in the transition zone between zone 1 and zone 2. Image by wenzlerdesign on Pixabay.

In the middle you will find the temperate zone, which ties in with the Mediterranean area. Here you can plant herbs that tend to thrive in medium-heavy soil and the soil can be somewhat richer. This zone faces both south and north. Herbs that prefer partial shade can be planted further down and sun-loving plants further up.

Mixed crop table: Distance & good neighbors

Planting distance Good neighbors Bad neighbors
Basil 5,9 x 7,9 in Fennel, oregano, parsley, rosemary Savory, lovage, marjoram, lemon balm, mint, sage, thyme
Borage 9,8 x 11,8 in Savory, dill, tarragon, caraway, marjoram Lovage, parsley
Dill 5,9 x 9,8 in Borage, chervil, marjoram, parsley, chives Tarragon, fennel, caraway, lovage, sage, thyme
Camomile 5,9 x 3,9 in Chives Lovage, mint
Marjoram 5,9 x 3,9 in Borage, dill, chervil, parsley Basil, fennel, lovage, oregano, thyme
Oregano 5,9 x 9,8 in Basil, savoury, rosemary, sage, chives, lavender Lovage, marjoram
Sage 11,8 x 11,8 in Savory, fennel, lemon balm, oregano, rosemary, thyme, lavender Basil, dill, lovage

Zone 3 & 4: Water-loving herbs

Flowering chives
You can grow chives in zone 3, at the foot of the herb snail. Its bright, beautiful flowers attract insects.

In the last and lowest zone, the moist zone , the soil should be heavy, moist and humus-rich. A high compost content is important here, as this increases the water storage capacity and nutrient content.

Table: Which herbs to plant together?

Planting distance Good neighbors Bad neighbors
Tarragon 5,9 x 3,9 in Borage, lovage, thyme Dill
Caraway 7,9 x 9,8 in Borage, parsley Dill, fennel, lovage
Mint 9,8 x 9,8 in Lemon balm Basil, savoury, camomile, lovage, parsley, thyme
Lemon balm 9,8 x 9,8 in Mint, sage, chives, thyme, lavender Basil, lovage
Parsley 9,8 x 3,9 in Basil, savoury, camomile, caraway, marjoram, thyme Chervil, lovage, mint, lavender, dill
Chives 0,8 x 9,8 in Dill, camomile, lemon balm, oregano, thyme Coriander, lovage, rosemary

Mixed culture planting plan: ideas for your herb snail

We have prepared digital planting plans as inspiration for your herb spiral: from a small herb spiral for the balcony to a colourful large spiral with herbs and cut vegetables.


Hopefully you now have everything you need to build and plant your own herb spiral. If you already have an herb spiral in your own garden or would like to create one, we would be delighted if you would share it with us in the community. If you have any questions or suggestions, please email us at [email protected].

Not yet part of the Fryd community?

Then register here or download the free Fryd app for Android or iOS. Here you can exchange ideas with others about gardening and get help with questions or problems.

Fryd - your digital bed planner


Cover picture by Johann56 on wikimedia commons.

author image
Author

Marie

Marie is an agronomist. She is particularly interested in the sustainable and organic cultivation of vegetables and other plants. In her own garden, she gained experience and likes to try things out to learn from nature. She is particularly interested in the values and principles of permaculture, in order to contribute not only to the well-being of nature, but also to the well-being of people and future generations.

Learn more

Current topics in the community

Avatar
Ingo15890 1 hours ago
I like
Respond

Harvested a sweet potato today. 650g. If the others are as big, I'll be completely satisfied. I've already cut cuttings.

Avatar
Kathi‘s Garten 🌻 1 hours ago
I like
Respond

Liked 3 times

#potatoes 🥰

Show 1 answer
Avatar
Nordheide-Garten 2 hours ago
I like
Respond

Liked 7 times

Harvest! We are particularly pleased with the beans. We planted them so late and didn't expect much of a yield. #shoppinginthegarden #harvest #everythingfromthegarden #lifeisbeautifulinthegarden

Register for free

You can quickly and easily register for free in our mobile app and use many more features.

These include:

  • Access to our community
  • Free mixed culture bed planning
  • Database with over 3,000 varieties of vegetables

FAQ

The location should be full sun and sheltered. The highest point should face south and the lowest point north. A balcony is only suitable for a herb snail if it has the necessary load-bearing capacity.

You can choose freely from all the herbs you like. There is a suitable place for every herb in a herb spiral. When planning, you should only pay attention to location requirements (soil, water and light) and good neighbors.

A herb snail provides optimum growing conditions for various herbs by creating different microclimate zones and enabling good drainage. This allows plants to be cultivated effectively and in a space-saving manner.

You should not plant invasive herbs such as mint in a herb spiral, at least not without a root barrier. Lovage is also a loner because it inhibits the growth of its neighbors.

Table: Which herbs go together? (PDF)

Have you heard of the Fryd app?

From growing to harvesting - plan your vegetable garden with Fryd

Joy increases when shared!

Become part of our Fryd community of garden enthusiasts! Ask your questions, get quick help, and share your knowledge to help others. Let’s grow!

Register for free

You can quickly and easily register for free in our mobile app and use many more features.

These include:

  • Access to our community
  • Free mixed culture bed planning
  • Database with over 3,000 varieties of vegetables

Effortless companion planting, zero headaches!

Plan your companion plantings now for healthier, more resilient plants and harvest more than ever!