How do you properly store fresh herbs to keep them longer?

For soft herbs like parsley, cilantro, and basil, trim the stems and place them in a glass of water like flowers, then loosely cover with a plastic bag and refrigerate. Basil does better at room temperature since cold damages it. Change the water every couple of days and they can last one to two weeks. For hardy herbs like rosemary, thyme, and oregano, wrap them loosely in a slightly damp paper towel, place in a zip-lock bag or airtight container, and refrigerate. They can last two to three weeks this way. The key for all herbs is keeping moisture consistent but not excessive, since too much water causes rot while too little causes wilting.