These herbs that grow in water are super easy to propagate and can be multiplied at any sunny corner of your house!
How about plucking fresh herbs while you cook, bypassing the supermarket trip altogether? Well, that’s pretty much possible with an indoor herb garden, that too without a speck of dirt on your hands!
Do You Know Houseplants Can Root in Water Too?
Herbs that Grow in Water
1. Basil
If you want a never-ending supply of this aromatic herb for your pesto and caprese salads—grab a stem about 4 inches long, remove the lower leaves, and pop it in a glass of water. In about a week, roots will begin to emerge.
Keep it in a spot with 2-3 hours of bright sunlight and enjoy a dash of peppery essence in your Italian dishes in a few weeks.
2. Rosemary
Perfect for adding a woodsy touch to your dishes, rosemary is also your brain’s friend, boosting memory and concentration.
Growing it is pretty simple. Cut a stem about 6 inches long, strip off the lower leaves, and place it in water on a sunny windowsill Change the water every few days until new roots form in 2-3 weeks.
3. Thyme
For thyme, patience is key. A 5-6 inch cutting in water takes 14-21 days to root. This little herb is big on flavor, bringing a lemony-peppery kick to dishes, and it’s packed with vitamin C. A sunny spot will keep it thriving and ready for your soups and stews.
4. Oregano
Oregano roots effortlessly in water within two weeks. Start with a 4-5 inch stem – soon, you’ll have your own supply for Mediterranean dishes. Its earthy, slightly bitter taste can make those boring salad bowls tasty, that too with an antibacterial punch.
Greek and Syrian oregano do well in water. Syrian oregano, in particular, is used to make za’atar spice mix.
5. Mint
Mint rightfully grabs a place on this list for rooting effortlessly in water in just a week. A 5-inch cutting quickly becomes a lush plant that adds a refreshing flavor to beverages and salads.
Prune away the flowering buds regularly to encourage bushier leaf growth.
6. Parsley
Parsley needs about 3 weeks to root in water if placed in a sunny spot, but it’s worth the wait. Moreover, you can also keep the soil-grown ones in water to keep them fresh for a long time. Rich in vitamin K, parsley enhances dishes with its slightly bitter flavor profile.
7. Lemongrass
If you have rooted stems, nothing like that! Otherwise, place the base of a developed stem in water, and you’ll have it rooting in about 3-4 weeks. Remember that this herb enjoys a warm, sunny environment; so you may place it on your south or east-facing windowsill as long as you remember to change the water every few days!
8. Tarragon
This understated hero of French cuisine may take some time to root. Place a 6-inch stem in a glass of water, and it’ll send out slender, aromatic leaves in about 2-3 weeks.
Ideal for adding a sweet, licorice-like twist to chicken or fish dishes, tarragon produces the best flavors if exposed to a few hours of mild morning sunlight.
9. Cilantro
Growing cilantro in water adds a bit of a challenge but is deeply rewarding. A 5-inch stem will root in water in about 2-3 weeks. This herb, with its distinctive citrusy flavor, is a staple in Mexican and Asian cuisines and a treasure trove of antioxidants.
If growing cilantro in water seems a bit too much to you, you can root them in soil and then park them in water to boost their shelf life, i.e., keep them fresh for a longer period of time.
10. Sage
Rooting sage in water is a two-week journey. Place a 6-inch cutting in water and watch it grow into a plant with silvery, fragrant leaves. With its earthy, slightly peppery taste, sage is perfect for autumnal dishes like stuffings and roasts.
11. Passionflower
Rooting passionflower in water requires patience and might not be a novice’s job. Instead, you may root a 6-inch cutting in water initially and then transfer it into soil so it gets the required nutrients to develop further.
This herbaceous vine is commonly infused in teas for relaxation, while the flower adds a colorful zest to salads and garnishes.
