How to grow herbs from supermarket herbs

Have you ever spent money on fresh supermarket herb? Do you buy a large package when you only need a teaspoon? Learn how to grow herbs from supermarket herbs.

How to grow herbs from supermarket herbs

What to do with the leftover fresh herbs from the supermarket?

It is easy to root new plants from supermarket fresh herbs. You can grow just about any kind of herb. The key is to start with the freshest herbs possible. If there is a date on the package, grab the latest one.

There are not typically growth inhibitors sprayed on fresh herbs. Since herbs are sold as cuttings and in packaging, the chances of growth are almost impossible.

Do I need to buy organic herbs?

It is sometimes difficult to find organic fresh herb cuttings at the supermarket. The most common herbs in my market are not organic. However, I have had great success rooting them into beautiful plants.

Since all new growth, I grow organically the original cutting being organic seems less important.

How to grow herbs from supermarket herbs

• Remove the leaves from about the bottom 3-4″
• Put the stem in water and place it on a windowsill.
• Keep the water to a level that keeps about half the length of the stem submerged
• In about 2 weeks you will see new roots

Have patience! It might not seem like the herbs will root but as long as the leaves are still fresh looking the process is working!

How to grow herbs

After the roots develop

You can grow herbs in a mason jar on the windowsill. This is a very popular method however I find it to be really short term way if growing herbs. Soil planted herbs or true hydroponic herbs do much better than Mason jar growing.

Growing herbs with hydroponics is a great idea. There are good ways to grow long term, large plants at home in small spaces with hydroponics.

Please read NFT systems for growing herbs and vegetables.

If you choose to plant the herb in soil, simply plant the stem in the proper type of soil. See the guide below. Then place your plant in a sunny spot.

Depending on the plant, you will start harvesting your fresh herbs in a couple of weeks. Follow in general guidelines below to get started with your new herbs.

Here is a list of easy to grow herbs from supermarket herbs

Herbs that are easy to grow

Rosemary

Start: easy from cuttings, difficult from seeds, easy to find full plants

Best soil: sandy and dry

Sun: full

Rosemary come from the arid area of the Mediterranean. It grows best in less rich soil. Be careful not to over water.

For more details read my blog about the do’s and don’t of growing rosemary click here

Basil

Start: easy from cuttings, easy from seeds, easy to find full plants

Best soil: rich organic, moist

Sun: full

There are lots of different “flavors ” of basil. Hobby farm has a good list of the different varieties.

Thyme

Start: easy from cuttings, moderate from seeds, easy to find full plants

Best soil: sandy and dry

Sun: full

Thyme is a great herb to dry and save. It will hold the same flavor after drying. When you use dried vs fresh thyme in recipes use just a 1/3 of the amount of dried compared to fresh.

Parsley

Start: easy from seeds, easy to find full plants, not the best from cuttings

Best soil: moderate

Sun: shade

Parsley doesn’t take as easily to water footing as some herbs. It will root however make sure to have more cuttings than you need. The success rate is low.

Sage

Start: easy from cuttings, moderate from seeds, easy to find full plants

Best soil: sandy and dry

Sun: full

I love to root Sage. It is super easy. After you plant your cuttings keep an eye on growth. Sage can get leggy. Trim back often to grow a nice bush.

Dill

Start: easy from seeds, easy to find full plants

Best soil: sandy and dry

Sun: shade/some sun

Dill is a little less successful growing from cuttings but worth the effort

Herbs that are easy to grow indoors

Tarragon

Start: moderate from seeds, easy to find full plants

Best soil: moderate

Sun: full

Super easy to root. Tarragon does well as a mason jar plant. Planting tarragon in soil will grow a fragrant bush.

Marjoram

Start: easy from seeds, easy to find full plants

Best soil: moderate

Sun: full

Marjoram is part of the mint family. Like other mints, marjoram grows fast and has a nice fragrance.

Lemon Balm

Start: easy from seeds, easy from cutting, easy to find full plants

Best soil: sandy

Sun: full or shade

Another member of the mint family with a great fresh fragrance.

Chives

Start: easy from seeds, easy to find full plants

Best soil: rich well drained

Sun: full or shade

Chives are super easy to grow from supermarket chives. Use the greens then put the white ends in water. The chives will quickly regrow.

Mint

Start: easy from seeds, easy from cutting, easy to find full plants

Best soil: any

Sun: full or shade

Oregano

Start: easy from seeds, easy from cutting, easy to find full plants

Best soil: any

Sun: full

Next time you need to buy herbs from the market, grab fresh ones. You can grow your new plants now that you know how to grow herbs from supermarket herbs.

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