Can curry leaves stem be rooted by placing in a bottle of water for a few days?

Yes, you can root curry leaf stems in water, but it will definitely take longer than a few days. Because curry leaf plants (Murraya koenigii) have woody stems, they are slower to root than soft-stemmed herbs like mint or basil. You can typically expect to see roots forming in 3 to 6 weeks. Given the warm, humid climate you’re growing in, you have a great environment for propagation. Here is the most reliable way to get a curry leaf cutting to root in water:

1.Select the Right Stem:Avoid green, flexible tips.

Take a 5 to 6-inch cutting from a semi-hardwood stem. It should be slightly brown and firm, not completely green and floppy, nor fully hard and woody.

2.Strip the Lower Leaves:

Remove the leaves from the bottom 2 to 3 inches of the stem. Any leaves submerged in water will quickly rot and breed bacteria, which will kill the cutting.

3.Make an Angled Cut:

Using sterile pruners, snip the very bottom of the stem at a 45-degree angle. This increases the surface area for the stem to take up water and push out roots.

4.Place in Water:

Place the cutting in a glass or bottle with about 2 inches of room-temperature water. Ensure at least one or two bare nodes (the bumps where leaves used to be) are submerged, as this is where roots will emerge.

5.Change the Water Regularly:Crucial for preventing rot.

Change the water every 2 to 3 days. Stagnant water depletes oxygen and encourages fungal growth, which is the number one reason woody cuttings fail to root.

Keep the bottle in a warm spot with bright, indirect sunlight. Once the roots are a couple of inches long and have developed secondary branch roots, you can safely transplant the cutting into a well-draining garden pot or directly into your garden.