Here are 10 herbs that you can grow in water and use fresh all year long

Many recipes call for fresh herbs to be used and in many cases, they can be replaced with dry ones or eliminated completely.

However, is there not a way to always have a ready supply of fresh herbs at home?

The good news is that there is a way that, among other things, does not require soil or even frequent changes of water.

Here's how to do it ...

How to grow plants in water.

First, cut some stems, a.k.a. "cuttings"  measuring 6 in. (15 cm) from a potted plant. You should acquire a young cutting, with a soft consistency and a bright green color. Before placing it in the water, remove the leaves closest to the base, to prevent them from rotting. 

Put the cuttings in a jar or in a bottle, the important thing is that it is as vertical as possible. Cover the base of the container with a strip of paper or a piece of cloth to prevent the formation of algae that may hinder the growth of the roots. The latter, however, must never be exposed to the sunlight. 

Initially, make sure to change the water once a week. Later, after the formation of white roots (it may take six weeks), you can change it less often only when you see that the water has become cloudy.

Here are herb plants that can grow in water.

• Rosemary: Choose young cuttings, those that have not yet developed the woody part. Keep the jar in a sunny place in the house.

• Sage: The best time to acquire the cuttings is in spring. Sage requires the water to be changed more often as it tends to develop mold. 

• Mint: Put some mint cuttings in the water and your home will be flooded with a great fragrance. It is one of the plants that are easier to grow in water, just put it in a jar. 

• Tarragon: Remove some cuttings from a potted plant in the spring, when the plants are new and young. The French species is great for use in cooked foods, although tarragon is also ideal for salads.

• Basil: Basil also does not create many problems. Remove some cuttings from the plant before it begins to flower and place it in a warm area of the house. 

• Thyme: As for basil, the best time to take the cuttings from the plant is in the pre-flowering stage. Tip: To speed up the growth of the potted plant, cut off the longer sprigs from time to time. 

• Oregano: After putting the cuttings in the water, trim off the tips every now and then. 

• Melissa: Snip off the cuttings in spring or autumn and place the container in a very bright place. Be sure to change the jar water frequently. With fresh melissa, you can prepare excellent infusions. 

• Stevia: Snip off some young cuttings, place them in water, and keep them in a sheltered and sunny spot.