I usually keep some basil stems in the kitchen, in a glass of water, as the growing season is so short for it in my area. It grows lots of roots, and is happy for a month or so.

Last week I stuck one branch of tarragon from my garden into the glass. Usually tarragon wilts almost immediately, but this branch still looks happy a week or so later.

Can the basil or other easily water rooted plants help others to survive better or start growing roots?

Has anyone used this to propagate cuttings without using the chemical root compounds?