With these water-growing herbs, your meals will never have fresh flavor!
Imagine having a vibrant herb garden right in your home, maybe on your kitchen window sill, providing you with fresh aromas and flavors no matter which season you’re in.
Well, water-growing herbs indoors is a rewarding and convenient way to enjoy a continuous supply of fresh herbs all year round. Not only is it effortless and low-maintenance, but it also adds a touch of greenery to any space.
Growing plants in water can save you time by avoiding soil diseases, pests, and weeds. And even if your window sill isn’t getting enough sunlight, you can use some artificial lights to grow your herbs indoors.
So, on that note, here are 8 water-growing herbs you can grow indoors all throughout the year, guaranteeing a steady harvest of delicious spices for your culinary attempts!
How do you grow water-growing herbs?
We all know that fresh herbs have much more flavor than those dried store-bought versions. And growing your own at home can be a great addition to herb-loving cooks. The truth is, it’s pretty easy to grow herbs in water or a garden.
Yet, the difference is that growing them in water can help you avoid soil-borne pests. Just remember that you have to be careful about the fungus growth if you’re not regularly changing the water.
The best part is that even those who don’t have a green thumb can easily grow these water-growing herbs. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you begin:
-Choose a healthy plant to trim its cuttings. Use a sharp and sterilized garden scissor to cut a long stem that still has leaves on it. To ensure rooting, trim just below the leaf node.
-Take a mason jar or container and fill it with distilled water. You can use tap water, but it’s better to allow it to sit for 24 hours before using it.
-Submerge the cutting into your glassware. Don’t immerse the leaves in the water because this can cause rotting.
-Place 4 or 5 stems in each glass beside your windowsill.
-To avoid rotting, try to change out the water about every 5 days. Once the root pops out from the cutting, make sure your plant gets enough light exposure.
What are the benefits of water-growing herbs?
This method of growing plants is commonly referred to as “hydroponics.” Although setting up a hydroponic system can be rather costly, when growing herbs, you can easily begin with a glass jar and water.
Plants grown in soil are associated with standard issues like soil-borne diseases and pests. But this can all be reduced by water-growing herbs. It also allows you to enjoy homegrown herbs all year round, no matter what the climate outside is like.
And you don’t have to worry about overwatering plants, either. Just concentrate on plant care. Growing plants in water is also considered more efficient because, believe it or not, it uses less water than traditional soil gardening.
Ginger
The odd-shaped and aromatic ginger root is a favorite of spice fanatics. You can use fresh ginger in stir-fries, teas or as a tasty ingredient in your favorite dishes, enjoying its unique flavor and potential health benefits, including antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
All you have to do is submerge a ginger rhizome in water, ensuring the buds face upward. Once roots and shoots appear on this water-growing herb, transplant the ginger into soil or continue growing it in water.
Dill
Dill has lots of digestive benefits and can help reduce symptoms of bloating and indigestion. It also contains antioxidants and can have antimicrobial properties. This water-growing herb likes a bright location with a lot of light.
And be sure to change the water regularly to keep it healthy. Dill proliferates, so be prepared for regular water changes.
Rosemary
Rosemary is famous for its memory-enhancing properties and ability to boost concentration. It also has anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial benefits. Its aroma is even supposed to reduce stress.
This water-growing herb likes bright, direct light, so a south-facing window is best. Make sure you change the water weekly to prevent root rot because rosemary is sensitive to extremely moist conditions.
Mint
Who doesn’t love mint? It’s well-known for its digestive benefits, including relief from indigestion and nausea. It also has antibacterial properties and can be used to refresh your breath.
This water-growing herb prefers bright, indirect light. And remember to change the water regularly to avoid stagnation and promote healthy growth. This is also a vigorous plant. So be prepared for frequent pruning.
Oregano
Oregano has antiviral and antibacterial properties. It possesses compounds that can help aid digestion, boost your immunity, and relieve respiratory ailments.
This water-growing herb prospers in bright light. So be sure to place it near a window with lots of sun or under artificial lighting. And remember to change the water regularly to keep the plant as healthy as possible.
Fennel
Besides being delicious, fennel is well-known for its digestive benefits, helping alleviate indigestion and bloating. You can use fennel fronds in the kitchen to add a mild anise flavor to your soups, salads, or seafood dishes.
With its licorice-like flavor, this is a delightful herb that you can quickly propagate in water. To take a cutting of this water-growing herb, trim a grown fennel plant’s stalk to a height of about one or two inches.
Leave the root bulb in place and move the slice to a shallow dish with water. You should make sure that the bowl’s water level stays the same height as the root bulb. Place your bowl in an area with a bit of sunlight and change the water every other day or so.
Basil
Basil is another one of our favorite herbs that adds a fresh, aromatic flavor to meals and is famous for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. It can help with digestion and has been used in traditional medicine for its potential to reduce anxiety and stress.
It’s best grown in a sunny location. So try to place this water-growing herb near a bright window or under a grow light. Be sure to change the water every few days to prevent stagnation and ensure the plant gets the nutrients it needs.
Marjoram
This water-growing herb can add a sweet and slightly citrusy flavor to stews, sauces, and grilled dishes. It’s also rich in antioxidants and can have anti-inflammatory properties, contributing to your overall health.
A close relative of oregano, Marjoram is an aromatic herb frequently grown in water in the midsummer. Choose sections of a healthy plant without flower buds to make three-inch-long cuttings from the ends of the stems.
Then, place the cut-side-down cuttings in a container filled with room temperature water, making sure the bottom inch or two of every cutting is under water.
Choose a warm and shady windowsill for your new cuttings to develop, and change the water in their containers every couple of days. To make your job easier, here’s one of our favorite pruning shears from Amazon!
Would YOU plant any of these herbs in water? Be sure to share your experiences with us in the comments section below. And if you found this article informative, we also recommend reading: 6 Easy Houseplant Care Tips ALL Pros Recommend
