Forget Soil: There's An Easier Way To Grow Herbs On Your Small Windowsill

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Who doesn't love having fresh herbs year-round? A windowsill full of fragrant and delicious herbs like basil and mint lets you easily boost the flavor in everything from sauces to cocktails, even when there's snow on the ground. But sometimes all those pots of soil and plants can create a bit of a mess and crowd your windowsills, especially if you're dealing with a small space. Luckily, there is a better way to grow herbs indoors. Try growing them in water instead of potting mix.

Not all herbs grow well in just water. Plants like lavender and rosemary thrive in dry soil and are likely to struggle when grown without it. But as long as you pick the right herbs, you can easily get them to thrive in jars of water or even test tubes like the Renmxj Plant Propagation Station. Some of the best herbs for growing in water include basil, cilantro, and mint.

To grow your hydroponic (or water-grown) herbs, it's best to start with live plants, as starting herbs from seed in water can be a challenge. If you already have herbs growing in your garden, you can take a cutting about half a foot long to grow the plants hydroponically. Strip off any leaves that will be below the waterline. And make sure you're using distilled water or water you have left out for a day or so, so the chlorine has evaporated. You'll also need a way to anchor your herb plants in place. You could simply use lids with holes for your herbs' stems to go through. You could also use LECA (lightweight expanded clay) pellets. It shouldn't take long before roots start to grow from the plant cuttings.

You'll need to change your herbs' water every few days. If you want them to thrive long-term in their water garden, you'll also need to supplement their nutrients on occasion. Luckily, you can easily do this by adding liquid fertilizer to the jar of water. With the right care, your windowsill herb garden should thrive for weeks or even months, providing you with plenty of fresh flavors and garnishes.