Ebb & Flow Herb Garden Tote

At a Glance

How This System Works

An ebb and flow (flood and drain) system uses a submersible pump on a timer to periodically flood a grow tray with nutrient solution. The solution rises around the plant roots, delivering water and dissolved minerals. When the pump shuts off, gravity drains the solution back into the reservoir below, pulling fresh oxygen down to the root zone.

This build uses a compact two-tote design. The bottom tote serves as the nutrient reservoir, and the top tote acts as the flood tray holding your net cups and growing medium. A small pump connected to an outlet timer floods the upper tray several times per day, and a simple overflow fitting prevents overfilling.

Why a single tote? Storage totes are cheap, light-proof, widely available, and perfectly sized for a countertop herb garden. By stacking two 12-quart totes, you get a self-contained flood-and-drain system that can grow 8 herbs in under 2 square feet.

Materials List

Our philosophy: Use what you already have. Hydroponics does not require store-bought equipment. People around the world grow food this way using recycled containers, scraps of fabric, and seeds saved from last season's harvest. The links below are for convenience if you prefer to purchase, but we encourage you to improvise with what is available to you.

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Reservoir and Flood Tray

You need two opaque plastic containers (approximately 12 x 24 x 6 inches each). Grab a couple of old storage bins, plastic tubs, or even sturdy cardboard boxes lined with a trash bag. Anything that holds water and blocks light will work. If you want to buy matching totes, a pair of 10-gallon dark storage totes stack nicely. For a purpose-built upper tray with pre-drilled fittings, consider a 2x4 ft flood and drain grow tray.

Net Cups

Small plastic cups with the bottoms cut off and holes poked in the sides work perfectly for herbs. You could also use small nursery pots you already have. For convenience, a bag of 3-inch net cups (25-pack) will cover this build and several more.

Pump and Timer

A small submersible pump floods the tray on a schedule. Check thrift stores or garage sales for old aquarium pumps. For a new one, an aquarium air pump is affordable and reliable.

You can run flood cycles by hand, but a timer takes the guesswork out and keeps your herbs on a consistent schedule. Look for old appliance timers at thrift stores, or pick up a programmable outlet timer.

Growing Supplies

For starting seeds, pieces of sponge or cotton balls hold herb seeds well. You can also skip germination entirely and transplant seedlings from a garden center (rinse the soil off the roots first). If you want a purpose-made option, Rapid Rooter plugs (50-pack) make germination simple.

Nutrients are one thing you will need to buy. Herbs growing in water need dissolved minerals. The General Hydroponics Flora Series (3-part kit) is a popular choice that lasts a long time for a small system like this.

Monitoring

pH test strips from a pet store or pool supply section are cheap and get the job done. For more precise readings, a digital pH and TDS meter kit is a worthwhile investment.

Additional Materials (no affiliate link)

• Hydroton (expanded clay pebbles), approximately 5 liters to fill 8 net cups
• 1/2-inch vinyl tubing, 18 inches for the pump-to-tray feed line
• 1/2-inch bulkhead fitting or grommet for the drain and overflow
• Silicone sealant or plumber's putty to seal bulkhead connections
• 1/2-inch PVC overflow standpipe, 3 inches tall to set maximum flood height

Tools

• Drill with 7/8-inch or 1-inch spade bit (for bulkhead holes)
• Hole saw or step drill bit for net cup holes
• Utility knife
• Measuring tape and marker

You can trace and cut net cup holes with a box cutter if you do not own a hole saw. If you want a clean cut every time, a 3-inch hole saw is handy to have.

Build Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Flood Tray (Upper Tote)

Mark 8 evenly spaced positions on the lid or base of the upper tote, arranged in two rows of four. Use a 3-inch hole saw to cut each opening so that 3-inch net cups sit snugly with their lips resting on the surface.

Spacing tip: Leave at least 4 inches center-to-center between holes so herb foliage has room to spread.

Step 2: Install the Drain and Overflow

On the bottom of the upper tote, drill a 7/8-inch hole near one corner for the drain bulkhead fitting. Insert the bulkhead and seal both sides with silicone. Attach a 3-inch tall PVC standpipe to the inside of the fitting — this sets the maximum water height during a flood cycle. Water that rises above 3 inches will overflow back to the reservoir.

Drill a second 7/8-inch hole on the opposite corner for the pump feed line. Pass 1/2-inch vinyl tubing through this hole and seal around it.

Step 3: Set Up the Reservoir (Lower Tote)

Place the lower tote on your table or countertop. Fill it with approximately 3 gallons of nutrient solution (mixed per the nutrient guide below). Set the submersible pump inside the reservoir and connect the vinyl tubing from the pump outlet up through the feed hole in the upper tray.

Step 4: Stack the Totes

Place the upper flood tray on top of the lower reservoir. Ensure the drain fitting empties freely into the reservoir below. You can rest the upper tote on blocks, a wire rack, or cut the lower tote's lid to act as a shelf.

Step 5: Prepare Net Cups and Growing Medium

Rinse hydroton clay pebbles thoroughly to remove dust. Fill each 3-inch net cup about one-third full with hydroton. Place a starter plug with a sprouted seedling on top, then fill around the plug with more hydroton to hold it steady.

Step 6: Start Your Seeds

• Soak starter plugs in pH-adjusted water (pH 5.5–6.0) for a few minutes
• Press 1–2 herb seeds into each plug
• Keep plugs warm (70–75 degrees F) and moist until germination (5–10 days)
• Transplant plugs into net cups once seedlings have 2–3 true leaves

Step 7: Set the Timer

Program your outlet timer to run the pump for 15 minutes every 2–3 hours during the light period. During the dark period, reduce to one flood cycle or none. A typical schedule is 4–6 flood cycles per day.

Step 8: Place and Test

• Set all 8 net cups into the flood tray
• Plug in the pump and run a test flood cycle
• Verify that water rises to the overflow standpipe height (about 3 inches)
• Confirm that the tray drains completely when the pump shuts off
• Check for leaks at all bulkhead connections and seal if needed

Nutrient Guide

Herbs are light feeders. Keep nutrient strength moderate to avoid bitter flavors.

Flood frequency tip: In warmer or drier conditions, increase flood cycles to prevent the growing medium from drying out completely between floods.

Crop Suggestions

Estimated Cost

Tips & Troubleshooting

General tips:

• Top off the reservoir with plain pH-adjusted water between full nutrient changes to replace what plants drink
• Replace the entire nutrient solution every 1–2 weeks
• Keep the reservoir covered or opaque to prevent algae growth
• Clean the pump intake screen monthly to prevent clogs

Maintenance Schedule

Daily

• Quick visual check: are plants upright and healthy? Any wilting or discoloration?
• Verify the pump runs during a scheduled flood cycle

Weekly

• Check reservoir level — top off with plain pH-adjusted water if below half
• Test pH and EC — adjust if outside the target range
• Inspect for algae — wipe away any green growth on tray or hydroton surface

Every 1–2 Weeks

• Full solution change — drain reservoir, rinse tray, refill with fresh nutrient mix
• Trim herbs — regular harvesting promotes bushy growth and prevents flowering

Monthly

• Clean the submersible pump and intake screen
• Inspect tubing and bulkhead fittings for mineral buildup or leaks
• Check that the overflow standpipe is clear and functioning

Frequently Asked Questions

How much counter space does an ebb and flow herb garden need?

The two-tote ebb and flow herb garden requires approximately 12 by 24 inches of counter space, which is about the same footprint as a standard dish drying rack. The total height including plants is around 18 to 24 inches depending on which herbs you grow. It fits comfortably on a kitchen counter, sturdy shelf, or small table, and the compact design makes it one of the smallest productive hydroponic systems you can build.

Which herbs grow best in an ebb and flow system?

Basil, mint, cilantro, and parsley are the top performers in ebb and flow because they thrive with the alternating wet and dry root conditions that flood-and-drain cycling provides. Basil in particular grows exceptionally fast and bushy in this setup. Thyme and oregano also work well but prefer slightly drier conditions, so you may want to reduce the flood frequency by one cycle per day if growing these Mediterranean herbs alongside moisture-loving varieties.

How often should I harvest herbs from my hydroponic herb garden?

Harvest herbs frequently, ideally every three to five days once plants are established, by cutting the top third of each stem just above a leaf node. This regular pruning encourages bushy, compact growth and prevents the plants from flowering, which causes most herbs to become bitter and stop producing new leaves. For basil, pinch off any flower buds as soon as they appear to extend the productive life of the plant by several weeks.

Can I use regular potting soil instead of hydroton in an ebb and flow system?

No, potting soil should never be used in an ebb and flow system because it becomes waterlogged during the flood cycle, suffocates roots, washes into the drain fittings, and clogs the pump. Hydroton expanded clay pebbles are the standard medium because they drain completely between floods, provide excellent aeration, and do not break down or compact over time. If hydroton is not available, a coarse perlite or a perlite-vermiculite mix works as a budget-friendly alternative.