10 Useful Herbs You Can Grow Indoors in Water

Herbs are an integral part of every kitchen. Whether you are making a fresh drink, cocktail, sauce, or meal, herbs add that zest and flavor to each recipe and dish. They also provide medicinal benefits for people.

It can be tiresome and expensive to find fresh, bottled herbs in sources or markets. They cost more per ounce than vegetables or fruits and can get over quickly. There is an easy way to source herbs and it is to grow them yourself. You don’t need a huge backyard or space to grow herbs or have your personal herb garden. Create a constant, fresh supply of herbs by growing these useful and delicious herbs indoors in water.

You don’t really need soil or anything to start your herb garden. Just find a container, water and a sunny spot to keep them fresh. Using fresh, locally grown herbs will make your dishes taste amazing and delicious.

Basil- Basil plants are easy to grow and produce several leaves. Fresh basil smells incredible and gives your dishes a much needed kick. Do remember to cut it before it starts to flower. Basil plants need a lot of warmth and sunlight when growing in water so ensure they get direct sun.

Rosemary- The perfect addition to several Italian dishes and sauces, rosemary plants are simple to grow and have. You need plenty of sunlight for the plant to grow. The roots do take slightly longer so be patient. Spring cuttings are quick and faster than one can expect.

Thyme- Another vital herb to balance Italian flavors, thyme can be amazing in soups, pastas, or sauces and stews. You should ideally take a cutting from the new growth, which is green in color. It is recommended to do so during mid-Spring or early Summer.

Peppermint- The beautiful smelling herb has several medicinal benefits too. It is used to relieve headaches, cure indigestion, calm your stress, reduce stomach aches, and cool your skin. You just need to put some peppermint in freshwater and you can grow it.

Oregano- Take a cutting from a fresh plant and pot in water. Oregano is ideal for sauces, dips, breads, and several recipes.

Stevia- The natural alternative to sugar, Stevia has 0 calories and no side effects that sugar causes. It is a great replacement for sugar in desserts, cakes, cookies, breads, and other recipes. You can also mix it in coffee or tea. Take Stevia cuttings from actively growing branches and put them in water. Stevia needs lots of sunlight and a warm place to grow so ensure it gets both equally.

Lavender- Lavender has several medicinal and health benefits. The relaxing and calming properties of lavender help to relieve stress, improve skin, and reduce anxiety. Lavender is used in teas, oils, and baths for helping with depression, stress, and anxiousness. To make a cutting, remove the first three inches of lavender stems. If you remove the cuttings in Spring, do wait for 4-6 weeks before establishing new roots before planting.

Lemon Balm- Lemon balm is known for its medicinal properties but it is equally delicious and tasty in dishes and recipes. You can use it to soothe bug bites or add it to your drinks and cocktails for a burst of flavor and zing. Take the cuttings in Spring or Autumn. Keep them in a warm place away from direct sunlight. It takes 3-4 weeks to develop roots.

Tarragon- A rich herb, it pairs well with protein heavy foods such as chicken, fish or lamb. French cooking utilizes a lot of Tarragon. Take cuttings in the spring when new growth begins. The cuttings found in Autumn take longer to develop roots.

Sage- Sage helps in cleansing auras and calming negative energies around the house. Burning sage helps to purify the atmosphere and improve the positivity around you. Sage is really flavorful and can be added to meats or sausages for a punch of spice. Take soft cuttings in Spring and put them in water. Place them in a well-lit area and provide ample air circulation.

Now that you know what herbs to grow, let’s figure how to grow them.

Find an ideal container for your herbs. Glass jars work well, but whatever you select should be half the height of a lightbulb – to prevent the herbs from falling into the container. Roots prefer to grow away from light, as they’re used to life underground. Colored bottles, such as amber-colored or dark ones work well and do the job effectively. If you can’t find colored glass jars, wrap paper around the bottle to keep the roots in the dark. Narrow-mouthed containers are perfect because the narrowness of the rim helps to support the cuttings and keep them upright. The next step is sourcing the herb.

Cut off part of the herb that you want to grow, making sure you have a stem that’s long enough for your container. It needs to be half-exposed in the jar. If the clippings are from a live plant, be sure to let it sit out for a day in a cool area. Soft cuttings will take root fast, so you won’t need any rooting hormones. Take a six-inch section from your growing plant. Remove the lower leaves from the cuttings and trim the lower tips to where the roots will grow. Put the clippings from the herbs in the container you picked and put the pot by a window that gets several hours of sunlight each day. They’ll start to grow within a week or so, as the roots grow and begin to get fuller.

Avoid using chlorinated water, because it has bleaching chemicals that can harm or damage new herb tissue. You can use tap water, but you must leave this in a container overnight before adding your herbs. Stored rainwater is ideal for your indoor herb garden. The best choice is fresh spring water or well water. It contains dissolved minerals that can help your plants grow, but most of us don’t have access to either of these sources.