Herbs That Grow in Water – 7 Fuss-Free Kitchen Staples You Can Cultivate in a Glass

Let’s be honest: many of us will have probably bought little supermarket herb pots and positioned them hopefully in a windowsill, even if we haven’t attempted homegrown container projects with edible favorites. But sometimes those hopes get thwarted, maybe because of bad timing, or lack of space for multiple herb containers – or maybe just because that supermarket plant wasn’t really feeling it. For many of us, the dream of a sprawling outdoor herb garden is dampened by limited space and changing seasons. Enter water-based herb growing.

There are several herbs that grow in water, and quite a few that thrive in this engaging, space-saving and practical environment. Whatever stage of ambition or growing competency you rate yourself with indoor herb growing, water culture is low effort and high reward. Since there’s no soil, there’s no mess or soil-dwelling pests. Water growing can also be a brilliant moneysaver, turning one existing plant into potentially hundreds of tasty (and totally free) little baby herbs. Keeping sprigs alive in a glass of water can be the start of a fascinating passion for hydroponics, and it all starts with these easily sourced herbs. Kickstart your glass-based herb garden with these 7 low-maintenance edible picks.

Choosing Herbs that Grow in Water

When talking about growing herbs in water, I’m primarily talking about propagation from cuttings. You can grow herbs in glass from seed, using kits such as the Gourmet Herb Seed Pod Kit from Amazon, and specialized hydroponic sponges. But where you have access to mother plants, the easiest way to play with water-based herb growing is just to take root cuttings and cultivate them in glass jars.

The secret lies in choosing perennial herbs. Annuals like cilantro complete their life cycle and die off quickly, whereas perennials have a bit of staying power. Herbs like rosemary and oregano develop adventitious roots, the roots that grow directly from the stem when submerged. This easy water-based method becomes even more sustainable if you provide liquid nutrients, or it can simply serve as a nursery to get them rooted before moving them into a hydroponic system or a traditional pot.

It’s clean, it’s cheap, and it’s deeply satisfying to see those first roots appear. I’ve grown hydroponic herbs for years, though I’ve had more luck with some than others. Roll up your sleeves, grab your water garden essentials, and let’s meet the Big 7.

Water Growing Essentials

Before we dive into our herb picks for water growing, prep your space. You don't need a massive budget, just a few smart basics to keep your cuttings stable, fed, and well supported. These entry-level essentials focus on ease and affordability to turn fledgling water-based herbs into a thriving success.

1. Basil

If you’re looking to grow herbs in water, basil (Ocimum basilicum) is a revelation. It's incredibly thirsty and responds to water almost instantly. So if you want a quick water-based win, this is it, and the chances are you’ll be seeing promising white roots start to push out inside the week. Quite a few basil varieties are worth a snip and dip in this regard. 'Genovese' is robust and resilient, while Thai basil roots exceptionally well in water and adds a gorgeous purple hue to windowsill jars.

Take a 4-inch cutting from a healthy, established plant. Make the cut just below a leaf node, where the highest concentration of rooting hormones is based. Strip off the bottom leaves so you have a clean stem to submerge. Basil leaves turn to mush quickly in water, which can lead to bacterial rot. Don’t fudge the cutting, or tear at growth indiscriminately. It’s best to use dedicated snippers like Fiskars Herb Garden Snips from Amazon for precise cuts that help the stem take up water in the best way.

While basil roots fast, there is an element of risk. If the water gets even slightly stagnant, the stem will turn black and slimy. So change the water every couple of days. Also, basil needs at least 6 hours of bright light, or the leaves will lose that aromatic punch. Meet these needs, and you can keep basil in water for months if you add a drop of liquid fertilizer every couple of weeks. However, once the root system becomes established, consider transitioning to a hydroponic kit or a pot of soil.

2. Rosemary

Rosemary (Salvia rosmarinus) is more about "slow and steady wins the race" but I have found it to be surprisingly adaptable for water-based growing, and rewarding for those with a little patience. Rosemary is woody where basil is soft-stemmed, so that’s why it works on a slightly different clock – but it just requires a little patience.

The biggest mistake people make with rosemary is giving up too soon. Unlike soft herbs, rosemary can take 3-4 weeks to show roots. But if the needles aren't falling off and the stem isn't mushy, it’s still alive and doing its thing. When you take a rosemary cutting, avoid the old, woody base (which will struggle to take up water). You also need to avoid the soft, floppy tips. Choose semi-hardwood stems that are green but feel firm. Take a 6-inch (15 cm) snip and strip the bottom 2 inches (5 cm).

Watch out for yellowing water, as rosemary releases tannins that can inhibit its own growth. If the water looks like weak tea, swap it out. Remember, this Mediterranean herb needs your sunniest, warmest spot. Once rooted, rosemary can live in a glass for months. However, it eventually wants to become a shrub, so you’ll notice growth slows down. That’s your cue to move it to a larger vessel, or plant it in soil.

Varieties like 'Tuscan Blue' and 'Blue Boy' are very pretty (as well as fragrant) for indoor jars. Young plants look lovely contrasted with the rustic rope of the August Grove Frazee Glass Hanging Planter from Wayfair, and the vertical design is also a great way of optimizing light access for growing rosemary plants in water.

3. Mint

If you ever grow mint (mentha) in the backyard, you’ll know it’s a vigorous beastie that doesn’t need much persuasion to take over any space. Luckily, that plucky spirit makes it one of the easiest herbs you can grow in water. It’s practically indestructible. I’ve taken sprigs from mojitos, washed them, placed them in a jar, and seen them climb the window inside a month. Mint is a genuine winner in water.

Take a cutting from any healthy runner. Within 48-72 hours, you will see white roots exploding from the stem. Mint is so eager to grow, you don't even need a perfect cut. Just snip and plunk it in your receptacle of choice. You’ll be astonished how fast it grows. However, because it grows so fast, mint drinks more than other herbs, so check water levels daily and refresh regularly. Although it prefers some indirect light, it can handle a bit of shade – good news if your windowsill isn’t always the sunniest.

Mint can grow in anything, but I love these colorful Pokhon Mushroom Propagation Vases from Amazon, which also help to support emerging growth. Mint can live in water for a long time, but eventually it will get root-bound, even in water. If you see the roots swirling around the bottom of the glass in a thick mat, trim the roots by a third to give the plant a reset, or move it into a larger jar.

4. Oregano

Oregano (Origanum vulgare) is a lovely trailing herb for water-based growing. In water, it tends to grow downwards, making it look beautiful in a jar perched on a high shelf, or in one of these Mkono Hanging Propagation Planters from Amazon, where you can fully appreciate its spiller-style growth (and also keep an eye on its roots). Oregano can be started in water indoors all year round.

Take 4-5-inch (10-13 cm) cuttings from fresh green sections of plants, and remove the lower leaves. Oregano stems are quite thin, so place a few individual stems in one of your glass jars, especially where the lip of the glass isn’t narrow. Oregano is a medium-speed rooter, usually taking about 10-14 days to establish.

The biggest risk with oregano is legginess, so grow in the sunniest window spot you can find. If the plant isn't getting enough light, the spaces between the leaves (the internodes) will get very long and the flavor weak. Pinch off the tops of stems once they root. This forces the plant to send out side shoots, giving you a bushier, more productive plant (and eventual harvest). Lovely oregano varieties for glass-based growing include ‘Aureum’ and ‘Variegata’ for those cheery pops of color.

5. French Tarragon

Tarragon (Artemisia dracunculus) is a gourmet choice for your glass garden. It’s more refined and, admittedly, more finicky than mint, but the payoff is worth the extra care, given those delectable anise notes. Timing is everything with tarragon, though. It roots best from softwood cuttings taken in spring or early summer, when the plant is pushing out fresh growth. Tough stem cuttings in winter will sit there until they rot.

Tarragon needs consistent feeding once you see those roots appear. Keep that bottle of liquid herb food handy to ensure your tarragon maintains those intense flavors. Don't put your tarragon jar right next to a cold, drafty window or hot oven vent. Tarragon plants like a steady 60-75F (15-24C), and avoid scorching afternoon sun.

Also, be sure you are growing French tarragon. Russian tarragon varieties can taste like grass in comparison with the anise-punchy French equivalent.Now, the bad news: tarragon is a short-term guest in a water glass, so don’t get too comfortable with this arrangement. It will root and provide fresh leaves for a few months, but in the long term it prefers to be moved into a more stable environment like a potting mix or a dedicated hydroponic system with consistent nutrient flow.

6. Thyme

Thyme (Thymus vulgaris)is my go-to groundcover in the yard, as I love its aromatic drifts. As a micro herb it also looks charming in small, recycled glass jars – think old vanilla extract bottles, or spice jars like the Simple Houseware Spice Jars from Amazon. Thyme is a slow and steady grower, but it adapts well to water and can live in a glass jar for months. Lemon thyme is especially lovely and smells divine.

Take a few 4-inch (10 cm) cuttings of the newest, greenest growth. Make sure only the bottom inch is submerged, and remove those lower leaves first. Because thyme stems are so fine, they can dry out before they have a chance to root. You might find it helps to loosely place a clear sandwich bag over the top of the jar to keep the humidity levels up (just remember to remove the bag once the thyme roots).

Thyme is a light-lover. If it’s in a dim corner, it will turn yellow. It’s also one of the herbs most susceptible to root rot if the water isn't pristine. I recommend filtered water if you live in an area with very hard or highly chlorinated tap water. Thyme is also susceptible to gray mold if the air is too still. Ensure good air circulation around jars. If you want a forever plant, established thyme benefits from moving to a pot.

7. Chives

Chives (Allium fistulosum) are the oddballs of this group, because you aren't rooting a branch, but rather a clump. Oddballs they may be, but chives are lovely herbs for a windowsill jar display if you’re after quick wins. For an unusual yet practical container that can hold the vertical chive plants neatly, try these recycled Wine Glass Jars from Uncommon Goods. That vertical growth is a great space-saver.

While you can try to grow chives from a store-bought bunch, you'll have better luck if you take a small clump from an outdoor plant, including the roots and the base of the tiny white bulbs. Wash every speck of soil off the roots (vital to prevent bacterial growth) and set them in a shallow glass with an inch of water. Once they root (within a few days), you can move them on to decorative jars, vases or glass containers.

Chives love a bright window, but aren't as heat-demanding as rosemary. They are hungry plants, though. After a few weeks in plain water, you might notice the tips of the green blades starting to turn yellow. This is the plant telling you it has run out of nitrogen. At this point, add a tiny dose of hydroponic fertilizer. Alternatively, you can cycle your chives into a pot and replace your glass garden with fresh clumps.

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