DIY: Grow Your Own Herbs On The Cheap

By Diana Bauman

Published October 29, 2019 at 4:37 PM EDT

Grow It Yourself

I was at the farmers market a few weeks ago when I mentioned to my mami that I was in search of basil and mint plants to grow at home. There are two of my favorite herbs, and I hadn't started them from seed.

She looked at me and said, "Why don't you just buy some cuttings and plant them?" I was dumbfounded.

"You mean I can just plant fresh cuttings in the dirt and they'll grow roots?"

"Yes," she replied. "You can pretty much do that with any plant. Buy it for a buck, plant it and you'll have it growing like crazy."

I was excited at the idea and picked up some fresh basil from Blue Gate Farm and some mint I found for $1.00.

After purchasing them, my mami explained that I can make my cuttings and plant them as is right in the dirt, or I could make the cuttings and place them in water until they grow roots.

I decided to use both methods and share a little bit about what I've learned along the way.

Propagating Stem Cuttings By Water

From one large stem, make your cuttings.

Pull off any bottom large leaves and flowers, if you have any. This will redirect the plants energy into forming roots. Place the cuttings in a small glass or mason jar using filtered water.

Change the water every 2-3 days and within a couple of weeks, your cuttings should start to grow roots.

Don't let the roots grow longer than 1 1/2″. Once they have established roots plant them outside in a pot and keep them in the shade for a week until their roots grab hold and become stronger.