Hey friends! If you're looking for some easy ways to add a little more green into your home without worrying about regular watering and soil care, growing plants in water is totally the way to go. Over the years I've experimented with all kinds of unique water plants and discovered some beautiful, low maintenance varieties that thrive with nothing more than a vessel of water.
In this post, I'll be sharing my top picks for the best plants that grow in water. These beauties will add a fresh pop of color and life to your space with very little effort. Read on for some of my favorites!
💻Table of Contents:
Pothos
By far one of the most popular vining houseplants, pothos is a tried and true winner when it comes to growing in water. With its trailing green and white or golden heart-shaped leaves, pothos looks amazing draping out of everything from hanging baskets to glass vases and jars. This tropical plant is super adaptable to various light conditions, making it perfect in nearly any room of your home. And talk about a speedy grower! The vines produce rapidly, cascading in the most wonderful way.
To grow pothos in water, simply take a cutting with a few nodes on it and place it in a small vessel filled with water. I like to use glass containers so I can monitor the root growth. In no time at all those luscious aerial roots will start forming! Once it has an extensive root system, the plant will be perfectly happy growing in water indefinitely. Remember to top off the water level when it gets low. Easy peasy!
Philodendrons
Much like their pothos cousin, lush heart-leaf and vine philodendrons thrive in water alone. These tropical beauties come in a rainbow of stunning colors like neon green, bronze, and deep burgundy. Philodendrons have slightly thicker leaves and grow a bit slower than pothos, but they are equally easy to propagate and cultivate in water environments. And their trailing nature looks so elegant draping out of hanging planters or glass containers.
To get started, take a cutting with a few leaves and set it in a narrow vase filled with water, replacing the water weekly. In warm conditions the cuttings should readily root in about a month. But once established, philodendrons will grow happily for ages in water planters. The versatility and tropical appeal of these plants make them a fabulous choice for water gardens!
Anthurium
Anthuriums with their vibrant red, pink, white, or purple heart-shaped flower spathes make a seriously bold statement when grown in water. Typically grown for their lush blooms instead of foliage, anthurium’s long tapered leaves look modern and chic rising out of simple cylindrical vases. Although they grow naturally in tropical humid conditions, their thick waxy leaves are built for water life so they adapt excellently when hydroponically cultivated.
Getting anthurium cuttings to root can take some patience, but once established they will bloom repeatedly for you year after year. Use a well-drained potting soil in narrow containers to start cuttings and keep evenly moist. Transition into water only once an extensive root system has developed, maintaining water levels just below the base of the plant. Provide bright, indirect light without direct sun to keep your anthuriums growing and flowering to their full potential in their aquatic environment!
Lucky Bamboo
A classic feng shui plant said to bring prosperity and luck, lucky bamboo truly does thrive when grown in water. Contemporary and striking, lucky bamboo features long straight green stems that make a memorable statement in minimalist room designs. And the best part about this tropical plant is that it literally needs nothing more than fresh water to flourish!
To grow lucky bamboo, select a glass vessel that fits your décor, making sure it is deep enough for ample water circulation and has a narrow neck to support the bamboo stems. Place a few inches of pebbles or marbles at the bottom for stability then add enough water to cover the pebbles by an inch or two. Cut several stems of lucky bamboo with sharp scissors or shears and put them into the vessel so the bottoms rest atop the pebbles. The bamboo will readily root and adapt, sending up lush new shoots as it grows. Check water levels weekly and add more as needed while occasionally washing out the container to prevent bacteria buildup. Enjoy these beauties for years without ever needing soil!
Herb Cuttings
Many popular culinary herbs like mint, rosemary, basil, oregano, thyme, and lemon balm can also easily be cultivated in water alone. Starting cuttings from herb plants you already have is an eco-friendly, sustainable way to enjoy fresh herbs indoors year-round. And growing them hydroponically eliminates the problem of overwatering herb plants and dealing with pesky soil gnats!
Herbs generally root rapidly from cuttings in a variety of water vessels, especially in bright, warm conditions. The key is avoiding stagnant water which can lead to rotting stems. Use glass containers you can see through and change the water weekly. Aerating the water with air stones or fountains creates excellent oxygen circulation and faster root production too. Let the water levels drop a bit between changes. Once herb stems have an abundance of healthy white roots, they’ll thrive for months in their aquatic environment!
Succulents
Who would have thought succulents like echeveria, sedum, and senecio could grow without soil? But their plump fleshy leaves have mastered water retention abilities that allow them to easily adapt to hydroponic life. Grown in artistic decorative bowls or small containers, succulents display beautifully, especially when mixed with other plants in aquatic gardens. Their unique textures and colors make wonderful living centerpieces!
Wait until succulent cuttings callous over before placing them in water and use very well-draining soil such as cactus mix to start babies. Only transition them to water planters once small rosette plants are established with healthy root zones. Take care not to fully submerge their leaves underwater. Like all succulents allow them to dry out between waterings to prevent crown rot. But if given the right conditions, succulents will absolutely thrive hydroponically!
I hope these suggestions for wonderfully easy plants that grow in water have inspired you to create your own aquatic gardens at home. Nothing beats the visual appeal and life water plants bring to living spaces. Their minimal care requirements free up more of your time too. Get your propagation stations going and enjoy adding these lush hydro beauties one vessel at a time!
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