Delicious herbs you can grow in water
Many herbs can grow for months in nothing but water. Propagating them from your garden is an easy way, and you can keep your fresh herb supply going through the winter, by bringing a few sprigs indoors before frost. Cut 4- to 6-inch-long stems from any of the following plants, remove the leaves from the bottom half, and place the bare stems in water. Place the cuttings in a sunny window and change the water every few days. If you want to plant them, once the roots are two inches long, move your cuttings into containers of potting mix.
1 Thyme
Although thyme has small leaves, it packs some big flavor. The best time to root cuttings from this perennial herb is in mid-spring and early summer when the plant is producing fresh, new growth. Make your cuts just below a node, which is the part of a stem where leaves sprout. Your thyme stalks will root after two weeks of being placed in water.
2 Mint
By growing mint in a jar of water, you can always have it ready to add to your favorite drinks or foods without worrying about this vigorous plant invading your garden. For example, you can spice up your cocoa or tea with peppermint, or brighten a fruit salad with julienned spearmint. Mint stems root quickly and stay in water for a while if they are in a brightly lit area.
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3 Oregano
Practically synonymous with Italian cuisine, oregano is a must-have herb for pasta sauces and homemade pizza. Oregano plants become woody as they age, so take your cuttings from fresh, new growth with green stems, as they root easily. To keep your oregano as flavorful as possible, remove any flower buds that appear.
4 Basil
One of the most popular herbs, basil comes in all sorts of varieties and is endlessly useful in the kitchen. Turn large bunches into a quick pesto sauce or toss the leaves into a tomato-based soup or summer salad. Even a leaf or two can liven up a glass of lemonade. Take basil cuttings in early summer, before the plants begin to flower. Stems root easily in water, but for best leaf growth, plant your cuttings in soil once the roots reach two inches long.
5 Rosemary
Another classic herb, rosemary adds a unique flavor to savory and sweet dishes. You can also use it to create a natural air freshener when you combine it with some lemon and vanilla. Like oregano, rosemary stems become woody with age, so be sure to cut off fresh, green stems to propagate with water. This plant is a bit slow to develop roots, so if you want to speed up the process, try dipping the cut end in rooting hormone before placing it in water.
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6 Sage
What would Thanksgiving stuffing be without sage? Definitely not the same. For best results rooting in water, take your sage cuttings from new growth in the spring. This plant is prone to rotting, so it is very important to change the water frequently and not allow any leaves to get wet.
7 Lemon balm
Herbal teas are even more special with the hint of lemon that this herb provides. Dispersing lemon balm slices in water requires patience. It may take up to a month for roots to appear. Once they do, let the roots grow a couple of inches, then move your cuttings into the soil.
8 Lavender
Loved for its aroma and flavor, lavender lends itself to desserts like cookies and ice cream, as well as hearty main dishes like lamb chops. This hardy perennial herb makes a beautiful addition to gardens, especially when it's in bloom. Cuttings are slow to root, so to help the process, dip the cutting ends in rooting hormone before placing them in water.
9 Marjoram
Closely related to oregano, marjoram has a similarly strong flavor but is sweeter than its cousin. Marjoram is smaller than oregano, so it is more suitable for growing indoors. However, be patient – in water, the stems can take up to two months to sprout roots.
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How to Grow Herbs Indoors
Some plants can transform everyday cooking into gourmet dishes like freshly harvested herbs. These versatile aromatic plants have the power to soothe our moods, aid in healing, and make your home (and you) smell amazing. These useful, beautiful plants are easy and cheap to grow even indoors. Like any group of plants, herbs have varying requirements, but most are not demanding in terms of basic care. Whether you want to grow herbs indoors during the winter or have a small windowsill herb garden year-round, these tips will help you get your plants started right and keep them thriving.
Best herbs to grow indoors
It may be tempting to jump in first and grow a variety of herbs. However, if you focus on a few that you know you will use regularly, you will have more success. Basil, chives, coriander, mint, oregano, parsley, rosemary, sage, and thyme are some of the easiest herbs to grow indoors.
Tips for growing herbs indoors
Once you've decided which herbs to grow indoors, you need to provide the right amount of light, water, and care to help your plants thrive.
The light
Outside the garden, herbs grow best in full sun. To grow herbs indoors, place them in a sunny window where you can. A south or southwest-facing window that allows direct sunlight is ideal. Fill in the natural light you need with an LED grow light to give your herbs a total of 12-14 hours of light. Without growing light, your herbs may look a little leggy, but the leaves will still add bright flavors and colors to salads and cooked dishes.
Test Garden Tip: Turn potted indoor herbs in a quarter-clockwise direction once a week to evenly expose all sides of the plant to sunlight. This will promote more balanced growth.
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Irrigation
Water is both friend and foe of herbs. Plants need water to grow, but too much water can rot the roots. To determine when to water indoor herbs in your pot, insert a finger into the soil up to your first knee. If the soil feels dry, it's time to water. If it feels damp, wait another day or so and check again.
Humidity
A windowsill above a kitchen sink provides a little extra moisture, which is especially helpful in the winter when the air in a warm home gets too dry. You can increase humidity by placing the pots in a pebble-filled, waterproof tray and allowing the pots to drain into the tray as you water the plants. Evaporation from the tray will raise the humidity around the plant. Another alternative is to use a nearby humidifier.
Temperature
Herbs thrive in the same temperatures that people do, approximately 65 to 75˚F. To keep an indoor herb garden thriving during the cold winter months, make sure the leaves of your herb plants don't touch the windows. Most herbs don't mind if the temperature in your home drops into the 50s at night, but basil is especially sensitive to cold temperatures. Place the basil in a place that is about 70˚F.
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Fertilizer
Since indoor herbs can't get nutrients from garden soil and rain, they need a little boost from compost. Choose a balanced, all-purpose plant food or a liquid fish broth. Apply plant food at half the recommended rate each week only when the herbs are actively growing. It is better to give your plants too little than too much fertilizer.
Great containers for indoor herbs
You can get creative and grow herbs in any container you want. However, plastic and ceramic containers hold more moisture than terra-cotta, which is porous and breathable. Herbs often do best when grown in clay pots. Always make sure the container you keep your herbs in has a drainage hole. If you have a saucer, add extra water to avoid waterlogged soil.
Along with the right container, a potting mix designed for cacti and succulents is perfect for growing herbs because it allows water to move better through the soil. Garden soil is too heavy and does not have enough air pockets between the particles.
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