Tired of buying those plastic containers of fresh herbs only to watch them turn into a black, wilted mess in your fridge? It’s a waste of food and money. Propagating your own basil is a great way to have fresh flavor on hand and cut down on waste. By growing basil in water (a simple hydroponic method), you can have a constant supply of this amazing herb without dealing with soil or complicated watering routines.
You can turn a few leftover stems or a packet of seeds into a thriving indoor garden. This makes it super easy to keep herbs alive and creates a sustainable cycle of fresh ingredients for pizzas, pestos, and salads.
Here are two ways to grow and one important step to maintain basil forever using just water.
Option #1: Regrow Grocery Store Cuttings
Basil herb in a flowerpot near woman planting seeds on the table. Home planting on the kitchen windowsill. Selective focus on the basil.
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The quickest way to get started is with leftover basil from the grocery store. Instead of using all the stems for your meal, save a few of the sturdiest ones with healthy-looking leaves. It’s best to use organic basil, as non-organic herbs are sometimes treated with chemicals that can stop them from growing roots.
To get your cuttings ready, pull off the leaves from the bottom two inches of the stem, but leave a few leaves at the top. If leaves sit in water, they’ll rot, so make sure only the bare part of the stem is submerged. Place the stem in a glass of fresh water. You’ll usually see white roots start to appear from the stem within a week or two.
Option #2: Start Seeds with the Sponge Method
hydroponic basil.
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Starting your basil from seeds helps you avoid bringing home pests or diseases from store-bought plants. Basil seeds are tiny and get gooey when wet, so they need something to hold them up as they sprout in water. A special hydroponic sponge works best for this (found in hydroponic kits). It keeps the seed in place while letting the roots grow down into the water.
Just place a few seeds in a sponge cone (in your kit) and follow the instructions to place it in water. This method keeps the seeds damp but not soaked.
The Final Important Step for Either Method: Add Hydroponic Nutrients
Female hand hold a young seedling of spinach.Young seedling of lettuce, basil, spinach growing in pot on windowsill . Gardening concept.
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Water keeps your plant hydrated, but it doesn’t have the minerals it needs to grow. If you leave a basil plant in regular tap water, it will eventually turn yellow and stop growing because it’s starving. To keep it alive, you need to add nutrients.
Hydroponic fertilizers have the right mix of nutrients for growing plants in water. You can find them in liquid or powder form. Unlike fertilizers for soil, these nutrients are ready for the roots to absorb right away. Just follow the directions on the package to mix a small amount into the water. This will keep your basil healthy and growing for months.
Start Your Water Garden Today
Woman is watering houseplants and microgreens on windowsill. Growing edible organic basil, arugula, microgreen of cabbage for healthy nutrition. Gardening at home.
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Eliminating the need to buy packaged herbs saves money and reduces plastic waste. With a simple glass of water and a sunny spot, a single stem can turn into a permanent source of fresh flavor. Grab that leftover bunch of basil from the fridge or a packet of seeds and set up a propagation station. A lifetime of fresh pesto awaits.