13 Best Houseplants That Grow In Water
It seems counterintuitive that the same plants that die when you give them too much water can thrive and survive only in water. Go figure.
Growing your plants in water is an easy and low-maintenance way to care for your houseplants. You'll never have to worry about overwatering! But if you have an overwatered Pothos or heaven forbid your Snake plants suffer from too much water, there's hope!
Here are thirteen popular houseplants that can thrive in water, and if you're feeling really adventurous - make a cute terrarium and instead of soil, fill it with water!
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Houseplants That Grow In Water
1. Philodendron
Philodendrons are low maintenance and thrive in a range of lighting conditions. They take root quickly, sometimes as fast as ten days.
How-to:
Locate a healthy plant.
Cut a stem at an angle, just below a node.
Remove the bottom leaves.
Place the stem with the node in a jar or vase filled with fresh water.
The cutting must stay upright, and the node must be submerged.
Add liquid fertilizer every two weeks.
Change the water every week to prevent it from getting stagnant.
This plant may become root-bound if you're using a small jar or vase. The solution is simple, move it to a bigger jar.
2. Pothos
Pothos is a hardy, easy-to-care-for houseplant that can thrive in various lighting conditions.
How-to:
Cut a stem from a healthy plant. Make sure there is a node on the piece you cut; this is where the root will sprout.
Remove the bottom leaves closest to the node.
Place it in a jar or vase filled with clean water. The node must be submerged. No leaves must be in the water.
Add liquid fertilizer once a month.
Change the water every week.
Clean the jar or vase with a toothbrush to remove any algae.
3. Peace Lily
Peace lilies are a popular choice for indoor plants. They have stunning white flowers and thrive in low-light conditions.
How-to:
Remove the plant from the soil and wash all the dirt from the roots.
Cut away any unhealthy, damaged roots.
Place it in a jar or vase filled with water. Submerge the roots.
Place in a spot that gets indirect sunlight.
Fertilize the plant every month to promote healthy growth.
Change the water every week.
4. Spider plant
Spider plants have thin, arching leaves. In addition, they produce small plantlets on long stems that can be propagated in water.
How-to:
Cut a plantlet from a healthy plant.
Place it in a jar or vase filled with water. The bottom of the plant must be submerged.
Roots will grow from the bottom.
Fertilize the plant every month to promote healthy growth.
Change the water weekly.
5. Snake plant
Snake plants take about two months to root in water.
How-to:
Cut a mature leaf from a healthy plant; no roots are needed.
Place it in a jar or vase filled with water.
Place in a warm, well-lit area.
Fertilize the plant monthly.
Change the water weekly or when it becomes murky. Rinse the jar or vase to remove fungi and bacteria.
6. Chinese Money plant
The Chinese money plant is said to bring luck into your home.
How-to:
Transfer an established plant with roots into a vase with water.
Or
Cut a stem (brown part) from a healthy plant and submerge the newly cut stem into the water.
The stem will form roots after several weeks.
Give the plant hydroponic fertilizer once a month.
Change the water every two weeks.
7. Rosemary
If you love the smell of Rosemary or use it in your cooking often, plant it in water.
How-to:
Take cuttings from new green growth.
Place the bottom of the stem in water.
Remove the leaves below the water line.
Place the plant in a bright window.
Use hydroponic fertilizer.
Change the water every few days.
8. Mint
Mint is a vigorous grower. It will root within ten days.
Mint will not grow in water forever. The leaves will eventually turn yellow, and the plant will stop growing.
How-to:
Take stem cuttings, and remove all the lower leaves.
Place the bottom half of the stems in water.
Place the plant in a bright window.
Give the plant occasional drops of hydroponic fertilizer.
Change the water and wash the glass once a week.
9. Orchids
For some, growing these in water is much easier than figuring out their soil needs.
How-to:
Remove the plant from the soil.
Wash off all the dirt.
Cut away any damaged, unhealthy, or rotting roots.
Submerge 1/2 or 2/3 of the roots in water (Orchids need at least part of their roots to dry out somewhat).
Ensure no leaves are below the water line; they will rot.
Give a weak dose of fertilizer with every water change. However, you must change the water again after a few hours into fresh water with no fertilizer.
Change the water once every week or two. Keep the water at the same level when you refill.
10. Monsteras
Monsteras grow well in water if you understand their light needs.
How-to:
Remove the plant from the soil.
Wash off all the dirt.
Submerge the roots in water.
Clean the roots once a month - clip away any brown or rotting roots.
Place in bright, indirect light - no direct sunlight.
Give the plant hydroponic fertilizer once or twice a month.
Change the water whenever it looks murky. Keep the water at the same level when you refill.
11. English Ivy
English ivy has evergreen leaves. It's a climbing vine that grows quickly anywhere.
How-to:
Place ivy plant cuttings in water.
Trim off any bottom leaves so that none are submerged in the water.
Place on a well-lit window sill.
Change the water when it becomes murky.
12. Chinese Evergreen
Chinese Evergreen has floppy green leaves and grows in warmer climates.
How-to:
Cut a 6-inch stem from a healthy Chinese evergreen plant.
Place the bottom half of the stem in the water.
Remove the bottom leaves under the water line.
Put the plant in indirect sunlight.
Give the plant hydroponic fertilizer once or twice a month.
Change the water when it becomes dirty or cloudy.
13. Bamboo
The hardy stalks of lucky bamboo thrive in water.
How-to:
Place the stem from a healthy plant in water.
Use a narrow vase to keep the plant upright.
Keep the water level at the same mark after each water change.
Needs medium to low light.
Give the plant occasional drops of hydroponic fertilizer.
Change the water when it becomes dirty or cloudy.
The Bottom Line
Growing houseplants in water is a simple and low-maintenance way to add greenery and beauty to your home. Keep the water clean and the roots submerged, and you'll enjoy your plants for a long time.