11 herbs you can grow with just water

Growing herbs at home can be a rewarding and cost-effective way to enhance your culinary creations. While many people think of soil as the primary medium for growing plants, it's entirely possible to cultivate a variety of herbs using just water. This method, often referred to as hydroponics, is not only space-efficient but also allows for easy maintenance and 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. Whether you're a seasoned gardener or a beginner, these herbs are easy to grow and will add a touch of green to your home.

Basil is one of the most popular herbs to grow in water due to its fast growth and versatility in cooking. To start, take a cutting of about 4 inches from a healthy basil plant, ensuring it includes 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 is another herb that grows well in water and is perfect for adding a refreshing touch to drinks and 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, or scallions, are incredibly easy to grow in water and can be harvested continuously. 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, known for its distinctive flavor, can be grown in water with a bit of 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 is not only a flavorful herb but also packed with 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 is a staple in Mediterranean cuisine and can be easily 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 is a hardy herb that can be grown in water, although it requires a bit more 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 is a versatile herb that can be grown in water with ease. 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 is an earthy, robust herb that can be grown in water, although it requires a bit more 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 is an exotic herb that can be grown in water and adds a fragrant touch to dishes. 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 are a mild, onion-like herb that can be easily grown 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.