Love fresh herbs but don’t have the space, time, or perfect weather for a full-on garden? No worries—you can still grow herbs right in your kitchen, and the best part? You don’t even need soil.
Just water. That’s it.
We’re talking about growing herbs in jars, glasses, or whatever you’ve got on hand. These herbs are low-effort, quick to root, and you can snip what you need anytime. Ready? Let’s get growing.
1. Mint
Mint is one of the easiest herbs to grow in water. It grows like crazy and adds fresh flavor to drinks, salads, and desserts.
Just cut a healthy sprig, stick it in a clean jar of water, and set it in a spot with indirect sunlight. It prefers cooler temps.
Pro Tip: Mint spreads aggressively. Keep it in its own container so it doesn’t crowd out other herbs.
2. Basil
Basil smells heavenly and tastes amazing in pasta, sauces, and even lemonade.
Snip a few stems from a mature basil plant, remove the lower leaves, and place the stems in water. Put it near a bright window, and you’ll see roots in under a week.
Pro Tip: Change the water every 2–3 days to keep it fresh and odor-free.
3. Sage
Sage brings deep, earthy flavor to roasted meats and stuffing. And yes, it can thrive in water too!
Take a cutting from a mature plant and place it in a sunny spot indoors. Sage loves the light, so give it at least 6 hours of sun a day.
Pro Tip: Use a wide-mouth jar to help stabilize the cutting while it roots.
4. Oregano
Oregano is a kitchen staple, especially in Mediterranean and Italian dishes.
Clip a healthy stem, place it in a jar with water, and give it plenty of bright light. A sunny kitchen windowsill is perfect.
Pro Tip: Pinch off the growing tips regularly. This will make the plant bushier and more flavorful.
5. Thyme
Thyme is small, but flavor-packed—great in soups, stews, and roasted veggies.
Place a cutting in water, keeping the leaves above the waterline to prevent rot. Indirect light works best, and it can be harvested often.
Pro Tip: Let the water sit for a few hours before using to let any chlorine evaporate.
6. Rosemary
Rosemary has a bold, piney flavor that works wonders with meats and roasted dishes.
Take a fresh, strong stem, strip the lower leaves, and place it in a jar of water. Be patient—it takes time to root, but once it does, it keeps going strong.
Pro Tip: Place rosemary in a south-facing window for the best light.
7. Lemon Balm
Lemon balm has a sweet, citrus scent and grows super fast in water.
Cut a sprig, pop it in water, and place it in a bright spot. It’s perfect for teas, infusions, and calming your nerves.
Pro Tip: Harvest often to prevent it from getting leggy and to encourage bushier growth.
8. Chives
Chives are easy, fast, and add a mild onion flavor to almost anything.
Take a few cuttings and place them in water. They’ll root in just a few days, and they thrive with plenty of sunlight.
Pro Tip: Trim with scissors every few days to keep them from flopping over.
9. Cilantro
Cilantro has a unique flavor that’s essential in Mexican, Indian, and Asian cooking.
It does best in cooler temps and indirect light. Change the water regularly and trim the stems to encourage growth.
Pro Tip: Cilantro is short-lived. Grow new cuttings every few weeks to keep a steady supply.
10. Lavender
Lavender isn’t just pretty—it smells wonderful and adds floral notes to drinks, syrups, and desserts.
It can be fussy in water. It needs tons of sunlight and very clean water. But with patience, it’ll reward you with fragrant growth.
Pro Tip: Use distilled or filtered water for better root development.
11. Parsley
Parsley is fresh, mild, and super versatile—perfect for garnishing and cooking.
Place a healthy cutting in water and give it lots of bright, indirect sunlight. It takes a while to root, but once it does, it just keeps producing.
Pro Tip: Support the stem with a chopstick or straw to keep it upright during early growth.
💡 Extra Tips for Success
✔ Change water every 2–3 days to avoid slime and mold.
✔ Trim roots if they get too long—it helps herbs focus energy on growing leaves.
✔ Don’t overcrowd—give each herb its own space to root properly.
✔ Use clear jars so you can watch root growth and spot problems early.
✔ No fertilizer needed at first—but a drop of liquid plant food every few weeks helps after roots are strong.
Fresh Herbs, No Dirt, No Hassle 🌱
No matter your gardening skills—you can grow these herbs right on your kitchen counter. They’re quick, simple, and bring fresh flavor to your meals every day.
No soil? No problem. Just water and a little sunlight.
Grab a jar, take a cutting, and let nature do the rest. You’ll wonder why you didn’t try it sooner.
