How To Grow Herb Plants In Water
Did you know that you can grow some of your favorite herbs in water on your own kitchen window sill? No more need to use dried herbs when it is too cold outside to have a viable garden. The best part is that you don’t have to mess with soil and watering because you can grow fresh herbs in water! It really is very easy, I started mine about a month ago because I got tired of having to buy fresh herbs and have them spoil, which wastes money, or using dried herbs. I just don’t think that dried herbs have the same bright, vibrant flavor as fresh. That is why I decided to try growing my own in water.
Not all herbs can be grown in water. Those that are grown from seeds every year cannot really be grown in water without first rooting in soil, and even then, they many times will not survive the transfer to water. This being the case, it is better not to try to grow dill, mustard plants or cilantro.
Some of the easiest and most popular herbs grown in water are:
- Sage
- Stevia
- Thyme
- Mint
- Basil
- Oregano
- Lemon balm
How to Grow Herb Plants in Water This project is simple enough that you can teach your children how to grow herb plants in water and use this as an educational bit of entertainment.
Begin with stems of herb plants from your garden, or even some perennial herbs from the grocery store. Clip stems about 6 inches long and remove the leaves from the bottom 4 inches of the stems.
If you’re using grocery store herbs, cut off the bottom of each stem to allow it to absorb the most water.
Fill a large-mouthed jar or glass with clear water from the tap or bottle, but avoid distilled water. Distilling removes some essential minerals that allow the herbs to grow.
If you use a clear glass container, you’ll have to change the water more frequently, as algae will form more rapidly in a clear glass. Opaque glass is best.
If you are determined to use that great-looking clear jar, tape construction paper to one side of the jar to keep sunlight from the water.
Herbs that root in water do so partly by absorbing moisture through the bottom of the stem, so clip each stem end at an angle to increase the area for the stem to use. Place the herb stems in the jars filled with water and place them in a spot where they get at least six hours of sunlight each day.
Growing herbs in water will give you a small but steady supply through the winter. Clip each leaf as it grows to full size. This will encourage the stem to produce more leaves at the top. The stem will grow for months in this way, long enough to keep your kitchen in fresh herbs until the next generation of plants grows in the spring.