Creating an indoor herb garden on a windowsill or in the kitchen becomes a breeze when you choose to grow herbs in water. Basil, thyme, mint, and parsley are just a few examples of herbs that not only enhance the taste of your dishes but also flourish effortlessly in water. The bonus? It's a mess-free and pest-free technique that allows you to relish fresh herbs throughout the year. So, let's explore 16 herbs that can grow in water easily and how to cultivate them in no time.
Basil, with its vibrant green leaves and unmistakable aroma, is a versatile herb that thrives in water. Simply place fresh basil cuttings in a container with water, ensuring that the nodes are submerged. Within a few weeks, roots will develop, and you'll have a constant supply of this herb.
Basil not only adds a burst of flavor to various dishes but also boasts antioxidant properties. You can use it in salads, pasta sauces, or make a delightful pesto to elevate your culinary creations while benefiting from its healthful qualities.
Catnip, known for its enticing effect on feline friends, can flourish well in water. Place catnip cuttings in a jar of water and watch as the roots develop.
Growing catnip in water provides a fresh source for your feline companion's enjoyment and offers a calming herb for human use. It has mild sedative properties for humans, aiding in relaxation and stress relief. In culinary applications, you can use catnip in teas, infusions, or as a garnish for salads.
Cilantro, a staple in many cuisines, is one of the herbs that can grow in water effortlessly. Place cilantro cuttings in a container, and once roots appear, transfer them to a larger pot or directly into the ground.
Cilantro is rich in vitamins and antioxidants, contributing to overall health and well-being. Its citrusy and slightly peppery flavor enhances a variety of dishes, including salsas, salads, and curries.
Fennel, with its licorice-like flavor, is a delightful herb that you can easily propagate in water. To take a cutting of fennel, trim a mature fennel plant's stalk to a height of one to two inches. Leaving the root bulb in place and transfer the slice to a shallow dish with water.
You should ensure that the water level in the bowl stays at the same height as the root bulb. Place the bowl in an area that gets some sunlight and change the water every other day.
Fennel is known for its digestive benefits, helping alleviate bloating and indigestion. In the kitchen, you can use fennel fronds to add a mild anise flavor to salads, soups, or seafood dishes.
The knobby and aromatic ginger root is a favorite of spice enthusiasts. Submerge a ginger rhizome in water, making sure the buds are facing upward. Once roots and shoots emerge, you can transplant the ginger into the soil or continue growing it in water.
You can use fresh ginger in teas, stir-fries, or as a zesty ingredient in various dishes, enjoying both its unique flavor and potential health benefits such as anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.
You can grow lavender in water for both practical and aesthetic purposes. Place lavender cuttings in water, allowing roots to develop before transplanting into soil or keeping it in water as a decorative element. If necessary, line the bottom of the container with pebbles to support the cutting stand upright.
Lavender is renowned for its calming properties, often used in aromatherapy to reduce stress and promote relaxation. This one also works well in syrups, baked goods, or teas for a subtle floral flavor.
Lemon balm is a refreshing herb that readily adapts to water propagation. To grow it in water, take cuttings from a mature lemon balm plant and put them in a jar of water. Store the jar in a warm place that receives lots of sunlight. Give your lemon balm cuttings three to four weeks to form roots, and change the water every other day. Once they are long enough to cling to the soil, you can transfer the roots into containers.
Lemon balm is believed to have calming effects, promoting relaxation and improving sleep. In the kitchen, use lemon balm to infuse beverages, create herbal teas, or add a citrusy twist to salads and desserts.
Known for its citrusy flavor and aromatic presence, lemongrass is a herb that can be effortlessly grown in water. Trim the bottoms of a healthy, mature lemongrass plant into five- to six-inch stem cuttings, and then drop the cuttings into a bowl of water and keep at least half of it above the water's surface.
Every two to three days, top off the water and place it in a sunny spot. Once established, you can transplant it into the soil or keep it in water for a unique kitchen garden.
You can use lemongrass to add a zesty, lemony kick to soups, curries, and marinades and reap its benefits such as antimicrobial properties and other potential health benefits.
Marjoram, a close relative of oregano, is a fragrant herb that is often grown in water in the midsummer. Select sections of a healthy plant without flower buds to make three-inch-long cuttings from the tips of the stems.
Next, place the cut side down cuttings in a container filled with room temperature water, making sure that the bottom inch or two of each cutting is submerged. For your new cuttings to grow, choose a warm, shady windowsill, and change the water in their containers every two days.
This herb can add a sweet and slightly citrusy flavor to sauces, stews, and grilled dishes. It is also rich in antioxidants and may have anti-inflammatory properties, contributing to overall health.
Take a cutting from a mature oregano plant that is four to six inches long in order to start growing oregano in water. Put the cuttings as soon as possible into a container with one or two inches of room temperature water in it. Select a location for the oregano plants that receives partial or dappled sunlight, as excessive direct sunlight can harm the cuttings. Once every three or four days, you should replace the water in the container.
Oregano is recognized for its antimicrobial properties and potential health benefits, including digestive support. It's also a staple in pizzas, pasta sauces, and Mediterranean dishes.
Mint is known for its digestive benefits and invigorating properties. Growing mint in water guarantees a constant supply of this revitalizing herb for your culinary creations, such as beverages, salads, and desserts.
To grow mint in water, place its cuttings in a container that has about an inch of water in it and ensure that nodes are submerged. Mint grows best in a warm location with lots of sunlight. Plus, don't forget to replace the cutting's water every two days or so.
This evergreen shrub with classic culinary uses is native to the Mediterranean region. When growing it in water, you might see roots forming in the water after four to six weeks. Green stems, not those with woody growth, are where roots form most quickly. Keep enjoying your rosemary in water, or pot up the rooted stems in a potting mix if you wish to grow larger plants.
Rosemary is the best herb to infuse oils, flavor roasted meats, and add a fragrant touch to bread and savory dishes.
Sage plants, one of the most well-liked herbs that can grow in water, have stunning silvery-grey leaves with a robust earthy flavor. You can grow sage indoors in water or outdoors in your garden, with common sage being the most widely used variety.
Put sage stems that are 6 to 8 inches long submerged in water with all of the leaves remaining above the surface. Make sure your sage roots develop before transplanting into the soil or maintaining them in water for an indoor herb garden.
Stevia is a natural sweetener derived from the Stevia rebaudiana plant. To grow it, select a cutting from a robust, healthy stevia plant and cut slightly above a single leaf pair. Make sure the cutting has two leaves or more on top, and remove any foliage from the lower portion of the cutting.
As soon as you cut it, put it in a container with fresh water and find a warm spot with lots of sunlight to grow it. However, you should avoid areas where the afternoon sun is very strong. Every other day, replace the water in the container with fresh liquid and you will have a constant supply of stevia in no time.
Tarragon, with its anise-like flavor and aromatic leaves, is easy to grow in water. Place tarragon cuttings in a container with water, and once roots form, transplant them into soil or keep them in water.
It's such a delightful herb in the kitchen that can enhance the flavor of vinegar, dressings, and seafood dishes.
Thyme is a versatile herb that is often enjoyed with soups, stews, and roasted dishes. Plus, this herb is also famous for its potential respiratory and antimicrobial benefits.
Your thyme loves a sunny windowsill and dislikes too much direct light as it can beat down the cuttings all day long.
Herbs that can grow in water provide you with a steady supply of aromatic leaves for cooking, tea, or garnishing. Growing them is a simple and convenient way to enjoy fresh herbs all year round, without the need for soil, pots, or fertilizers. So try it today, savor the flavors, and relish the healthful delights they bring to your kitchen and well-being.
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