It can be both rewarding and economical to cultivate herbs at home, enriching your culinary experiences. Soil is often considered central for growing plants but you can grow many herbs using only water. This technique, often known as hydroponics, is spatially efficient, easy to maintain, and encourages quick growth.

In this article, we will explore 11 herbs that thrive in water, providing you with fresh flavors and aromas right from your kitchen windowsill.

We will explore 11 herbs that prosper in water, offering you fresh flavors and scents from your kitchen window, whether you’re experienced at gardening or just beginning. Novice or seasoned gardeners alike will find these herbs easy to grow, adding a vibrant touch to your home.

 

 

Basil: A Kitchen Staple

Basil is one of the most popular herbs to grow in water due to its fast growth and versatility in cooking.

One of the most favored herbs for water cultivation is basil, celebrated for its rapid growth and adaptability in a range of recipes. To start propagating basil, cut a 4-inch piece from a robust basil plant, making sure the cutting has a few leaves. Place the cutting in a glass of water, making sure the leaves are above the waterline to prevent rot. Within a week or two, roots will begin to form. Keep the glass in a sunny spot, and change the water every few days to keep it fresh. Once the roots are about 2 inches long, you can start using the basil leaves in your dishes.

 

 

Mint: Refreshing and Versatile

Mint is another herb that grows well in water and is perfect for adding a refreshing touch to drinks and dishes.

Mint thrives in water and introduces a refreshing quality to assorted drinks and culinary dishes. To propagate mint, cut a 3-4 inch sprig from an existing plant, removing the lower leaves. Place the cutting in a jar of water, ensuring the leaves are not submerged. Mint prefers indirect sunlight, so place the jar on a windowsill that receives filtered light. Change the water every 3-5 days. In a few weeks, you’ll notice roots developing, and soon after, you’ll have a thriving mint plant ready for harvesting.

 

 

Green Onions: A Quick Grower

Green onions, or scallions, are incredibly easy to grow in water and can be harvested continuously.

Green onions, also known as scallions, are exceptionally simple to cultivate in water and allow for continuous harvesting. Simply take the white root ends of store-bought green onions and place them in a glass with enough water to cover the roots. Place the glass in a sunny location, and you’ll see new green shoots emerging within days. Change the water every few days to keep it clean. As the green onions grow, you can snip off the tops for use in cooking, and they will continue to regrow.

 

 

Cilantro: Perfect for Garnishes

Cilantro, known for its distinctive flavor, can be grown in water with a bit of patience.

Cilantro, recognized for its unique taste, flourishes in water, but requires some patience. Take a cutting from a mature cilantro plant, about 4-6 inches long, and remove the lower leaves. Place the cutting in a glass of water, ensuring the leaves are above the waterline. Cilantro prefers cooler temperatures and indirect sunlight, so find a suitable spot in your home. Change the water every few days. It may take a few weeks for roots to develop, but once they do, you’ll have a steady supply of cilantro for garnishing your favorite dishes.

 

 

Parsley: A Nutrient-Packed Herb

Parsley is not only a flavorful herb but also packed with nutrients.

Parsley, not only flavorful, is rich in nutrients. To grow parsley in water, take a 4-6 inch cutting from a healthy plant, removing the bottom leaves. Place the cutting in a jar of water, ensuring the leaves are above the water. Parsley prefers bright, indirect light, so place it near a sunny window. Change the water every few days to prevent stagnation. Once roots have formed, you can begin to harvest the leaves, which will continue to regrow.

 

 

Oregano: A Mediterranean Favorite

Oregano is a staple in Mediterranean cuisine and can be easily grown in water.

Oregano, essential to Mediterranean cuisine, can be effortlessly grown in water. Take a 3-4 inch cutting from an oregano plant, removing the lower leaves. Place the cutting in a glass of water, ensuring the leaves do not touch the water. Oregano thrives in bright, indirect light, so find a sunny spot for it. Change the water every few days to keep it fresh. After a couple of weeks, roots will develop, and you’ll have a continuous supply of oregano for your culinary needs.

 

 

Rosemary: Aromatic and Hardy

Rosemary is a hardy herb that can be grown in water, although it requires a bit more patience.

Rosemary, a robust herb, can be cultivated in water but needs extra patience. Take a 4-6 inch cutting from a rosemary plant, stripping the leaves from the bottom half. Place the cutting in a jar of water, ensuring the leaves are above the waterline. Rosemary prefers bright light, so place it in a sunny location. Change the water every few days. It may take several weeks for roots to form, but once they do, you’ll have a fragrant rosemary plant to enhance your dishes.

 

 

Thyme: A Culinary Essential

Thyme is a versatile herb that can be grown in water with ease.

Thyme, an adaptable herb, can be readily grown in water. Take a 3-4 inch cutting from a thyme plant, removing the lower leaves. Place the cutting in a glass of water, ensuring the leaves are above the water. Thyme prefers bright, indirect light, so place it near a sunny window. Change the water every few days to keep it clean. In a few weeks, roots will develop, and you’ll have a thriving thyme plant ready for use in your cooking.

 

 

Sage: Earthy and Robust

Sage is an earthy, robust herb that can be grown in water, although it requires a bit more attention.

Sage, with its robust and earthy profile, is capable of growing in water but calls for increased attention. Take a 4-6 inch cutting from a sage plant, removing the lower leaves. Place the cutting in a jar of water, ensuring the leaves are above the waterline. Sage prefers bright light, so find a sunny spot for it. Change the water every few days to prevent stagnation. It may take a few weeks for roots to develop, but once they do, you’ll have a steady supply of sage for your culinary creations.

 

 

Lemongrass: Exotic and Fragrant

Lemongrass is an exotic herb that can be grown in water and adds a fragrant touch to dishes.

Lemongrass, an exotic herb that can be grown in water, adds fragrance to your culinary creations. To grow lemongrass, take a stalk with a base and place it in a glass of water, ensuring the base is submerged. Lemongrass prefers bright, indirect light, so place it near a sunny window. Change the water every few days to keep it fresh. In a few weeks, roots will begin to form, and new shoots will emerge. Once established, you can harvest the stalks for use in cooking.

 

 

Chives: Mild and Onion-Like

Chives are a mild, onion-like herb that can be easily grown in water.

Chives, possessing a mild, onion-like flavor, are effortless to cultivate in water. Take a bunch of chives and place the root ends in a glass of water, ensuring the roots are submerged. Chives prefer bright, indirect light, so place them near a sunny window. Change the water every few days to keep it clean. Within a week, you’ll notice new growth, and you can begin to snip the tops for use in your dishes. Chives will continue to regrow, providing a constant supply for your culinary needs.

 

 

Conclusion

Growing herbs in water not only provides a sustainable source for your culinary needs but also transforms your home into a green oasis. From the unique taste of cilantro to the nutrient-packed parsley, the Mediterranean flavors of oregano and aromatic rosemary, each herb brings its own charm and benefits. With a little patience, you can easily cultivate thyme, sage, and lemongrass, while chives offer the convenience of quick regrowth. By following simple steps such as using cuttings, ensuring indirect light, and changing the water regularly, you can foster a thriving herb garden right in your kitchen. This engaging process not only enhances your cooking but also provides a fulfilling gardening experience.