A Tiny Green Pot and Big Lessons
There’s a tiny green pot still perched in my kitchen window—long since emptied, but never forgotten. It was a birthday gift from one of my youngest daughters, part of a sweet little tradition where she gave me an herb starter each year. That year, it was basil.
We planted it together, dirt under our fingernails, giggles in the air. But here’s the twist: I didn’t teach her how to grow it. She taught me. And her twin sister, the budding cook in the family, was the one who proudly harvested it and stirred it into our dinner.
It was one of those quiet parenting moments that stuck with you. I’d set out to share something with them, but in the end, they gave something back: a love for growing, for using what we had, and for creating small, grounding joys—from the windowsill to the dinner table.
If you’ve ever wanted to try growing herbs with your kids or if the idea sounds too messy, too advanced, or too much work, this post is for you. Start small. Grow gently. And let nature do the teaching.
Why Make Your Own Herbal First Aid Kit?
An herbal first aid kit isn’t just a rustic trend—it’s a practical, affordable, and deeply empowering way to care for your family’s everyday bumps, bruises, and sniffles using the gentle, effective healing power of plants.
With just a handful of well-chosen herbs, you can soothe minor skin irritations, ease digestive discomfort, calm anxious minds, and gently support the body’s natural healing process. Even better? Most of these herbs are surprisingly easy to grow, whether you’ve got a backyard garden or just a sunny windowsill and a few pots.
This isn’t about becoming a master herbalist overnight. It’s about connection—connection to your wellness, to the earth beneath your feet, and maybe even to the tiny hands helping you press seeds into the soil.
🌱 5 Must-Have Herbs for Your Beginner Herbal First Aid Garden
1. Calendula (Calendula officinalis)
This sunny, golden flower is one of the best skin healers in the herbal world. Antibacterial and anti-inflammatory, calendula helps with cuts, scrapes, rashes, and diaper irritation.
Use it for: Healing salves, infused oils, gentle wound care
Growing tip: Loves full sun and blooms all summer. Harvest petals regularly.
2. Chamomile (Matricaria recutita or Chamaemelum nobile)
The ultimate calming herb—perfect for easing anxiety, supporting sleep, and calming upset stomachs.
Use it for: Bedtime teas, compresses, calming baths
Growing tip: Small, daisy-like blooms kids adore. Harvesting becomes a magical family ritual.
3. Peppermint (Mentha × Piperita)
Nature’s mini medicine cabinet—cooling, stimulating, and great for tummy troubles and headaches.
Use it for: Digestive teas, steam inhalation, cooling compresses
Growing tip: Keep in a pot—it spreads! Hardy and fragrant.
4. Yarrow (Achillea millefolium)
A classic wound healer to stop bleeding, ease bruises, and support circulation.
Use it for: Poultices, infused oils, fever-reducing teas
Growing tip: Drought-tolerant and low-maintenance. Attracts bees and butterflies.
5. Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis)
Citrusy-sweet and calming, supports mood and immune health.
Use it for: Calming teas, tinctures, cold symptom infusions
Growing tip: Easy to grow and fragrant—a joy for kids to tend.
Want to dive deeper?
Check out my Essential Herbalism for Beginners: Your Gentle Guide to Natural Wellness post for more herbs and easy tips to start your herbal journey without overwhelm.
Tiny Hands, Tiny Gardens: Growing Herbs with Kids
Herbs are nature’s low-maintenance learning tools—no big yard, fancy tools, or perfect setups required. Just light, water, and love.
Let your child pick a plant, water it, smell it, and even name it (“Rosie the Rosemary” totally counts!). Whether nibbling mint or brewing chamomile tea, they’re learning through play and curiosity.
🌸 Creative Containers for Small Spaces
You don’t need a backyard to start. Try these fun containers:
- Mason jars on sunny windowsills
- Painted tin cans with drainage holes
- Teacups or mugs for whimsy
- Hanging baskets or vertical gardens
- Recycled yogurt cups decorated by kids
💡 Pro tip: Let kids decorate containers to blend gardening with art and sensory play.
🌱 Simple Starter Plan for Your Herbal First Aid Garden
- Choose your container
- Add light, well-draining soil
- Pick an herb seed or starter plant
- Place in sunlight and water regularly
- Harvest together and use the herbs in teas, baths, balms, or just to enjoy their scent
Let your herbal first aid kit grow with your family, adapting to your space and needs.
🌿 Free Printable: “My Favorite Herb” Journal Page
Make herb gardening extra fun for little learners! Download this free printable to help kids draw, name, and explore their favorite herbs. No emails needed!
Click here to download the Printable Herb Journal Page (PDF)
Pair it with your first planting session and watch your child’s confidence and connection to nature bloom.
Final Thoughts: Let It Be Simple
This isn’t about perfection or having a full herbal greenhouse. It’s about starting small, with curiosity and joy.
Maybe it’s basil, like our tiny green pot—planted with love, tended with laughter, and stirred into dinner by little hands. Maybe it’s calendula by your door or peppermint on the patio.
Let your garden—and your family’s wellness journey—grow naturally. And if your child leads the way? Let them. They might just be growing something wonderful in you, too.
