How to grow plants in water
At GDM we love our collection of indoor plants but admit we’re a little lax when it comes to caring for them. So we’ve focused on plants that thrive in water. There’s no soil to spill or worries about pets digging in indoor pots. Plus, there are fewer pests (no fungus gnats!), and we’ve found many awesome houseplants that flourish in jars, glasses, vases, or propagation stations filled with clean water.
Why focus on plants that grow in water?
Houseplants like prayer plants, fiddle leaf figs, and Chinese money plants add beauty to indoor spaces.
Here are five reasons to grow plants in water:
1. Low Maintenance: They require less care than soil plants and there’s no chance of under or over watering.
2. No Mess: No soil means no spills and no digging by feline housemates.
3. Aesthetically Pleasing: Water plants look great in clear containers.
4. Fewer Pests: Less chance of pests like gnats.
5. Quick Growth: Many water plants grow rapidly and they look so elegant when you choose the right containers.
Why focus on plants that grow in water?
Houseplants like prayer plants, fiddle leaf figs, and Chinese money plants add beauty to indoor spaces.
Here are five reasons to grow plants in water:
1. Low Maintenance: They require less care than soil plants and there’s no chance of under or over watering.
2. No Mess: No soil means no spills and no digging by feline housemates.
3. Aesthetically Pleasing: Water plants look great in clear containers.
4. Fewer Pests: Less chance of pests like gnats.
5. Quick Growth: Many water plants grow rapidly and they look so elegant when you choose the right containers.
The best containers for plants that grow in water
Use any vase, glass, jar, or bottle to grow plants. When picking a container, try to match it to the size of the plant. A newly clipped stem may only need a small bottle or shallow bowl of water and only need to be moved to a larger container when it grows.
• Vases: Vases come in all shapes and sizes, from clear glass to pottery. Ensure they’re water-tight to avoid leaks! For single stems, use a narrow-necked vase to keep the plant upright.
• Jars: Everyone has a collection of glass jars at home! We can use them to root cuttings or as permanent homes for houseplants.
• Glasses: Chipped glasses don’t need to be thrown out. Instead, fill them with greenery!
• Test tubes: A trendy way to display houseplants is with a test tube set. These can be found online or at science stores. They’re perfect for rooting cuttings or showcasing single stems.
• Wall vases and vessels: Plants that grow in water don’t need direct sun, making wall-mounted containers a great option. There are endless styles available, from wooden test tubes to hanging glass globes.
Use any vase, glass, jar, or bottle to grow plants. When picking a container, try to match it to the size of the plant. A newly clipped stem may only need a small bottle or shallow bowl of water and only need to be moved to a larger container when it grows.
• Vases: Vases come in all shapes and sizes, from clear glass to pottery. Ensure they’re water-tight to avoid leaks! For single stems, use a narrow-necked vase to keep the plant upright.
• Jars: Everyone has a collection of glass jars at home! We can use them to root cuttings or as permanent homes for houseplants.
• Glasses: Chipped glasses don’t need to be thrown out. Instead, fill them with greenery!
• Test tubes: A trendy way to display houseplants is with a test tube set. These can be found online or at science stores. They’re perfect for rooting cuttings or showcasing single stems.
• Wall vases and vessels: Plants that grow in water don’t need direct sun, making wall-mounted containers a great option. There are endless styles available, from wooden test tubes to hanging glass globes.
4 steps to success
Here’s how to get started in four simple steps:
1. Choose a water-friendly plant: Check out the list below for great options!
2. Take a cutting: Use a fresh stem or leaf cutting from your indoor plants or ask a friend for some. Make sure it has several leaves and clip the stem just below a leaf node, where roots are likely to grow. Remove any leaves that will sit underwater.
3. Place in water: Put the cutting in fresh water. You can use bottled, rain, or tap water (just let tap water sit for 24 hours to dissipate chlorine).
4. Find the right spot: Place the container in bright, indirect light, avoiding areas near heat sources like fireplaces or radiators.
Caring for indoor plants that grow in water
Caring for water-grown plants is simple:
• Monitor Water: Keep an eye on the water level, topping it up as it evaporates. Change the water every few weeks or if it becomes cloudy.
• Fertilize: Occasionally add a few drops of liquid organic houseplant fertilizer to give your plants a boost.
• Watch for Roots: After a few weeks or months, you may notice roots forming. If propagating, you can pot them up!
• Long-Term Care: Most plants thrive in water for years with little care, as long as they’re placed in indirect sunlight.
Here’s how to get started in four simple steps:
1. Choose a water-friendly plant: Check out the list below for great options!
2. Take a cutting: Use a fresh stem or leaf cutting from your indoor plants or ask a friend for some. Make sure it has several leaves and clip the stem just below a leaf node, where roots are likely to grow. Remove any leaves that will sit underwater.
3. Place in water: Put the cutting in fresh water. You can use bottled, rain, or tap water (just let tap water sit for 24 hours to dissipate chlorine).
4. Find the right spot: Place the container in bright, indirect light, avoiding areas near heat sources like fireplaces or radiators.
Caring for indoor plants that grow in water
Caring for water-grown plants is simple:
• Monitor Water: Keep an eye on the water level, topping it up as it evaporates. Change the water every few weeks or if it becomes cloudy.
• Fertilize: Occasionally add a few drops of liquid organic houseplant fertilizer to give your plants a boost.
• Watch for Roots: After a few weeks or months, you may notice roots forming. If propagating, you can pot them up!
• Long-Term Care: Most plants thrive in water for years with little care, as long as they’re placed in indirect sunlight.
Popular Houseplants for Water Growth
Chinese Evergreen (Aglaonema species)
These carefree plants thrive in low light and tolerate neglect, making them perfect for busy folks. Clip six-inch stems and place them in bright rooms, avoiding direct sunlight.
Rubber Plant (Ficus elastica)
With large, waxy leaves, rubber plants can grow quite large in soil. In water, they grow slower. Start with a six to eight-inch cutting, removing leaves from the bottom half. Keep it in a clean container, away from direct sun but with plenty of bright indirect light. Roots will emerge in three to four months!
Dumb Cane (Dieffenbachia species)
Known for its large, variegated leaves, dumb cane is beautiful and low-maintenance. Cut a six-inch stem and place it in clean water, keeping it in bright light out of direct sun. Remember to wear gloves when handling, as the sap can irritate skin!
English Ivy (Hedera helix)
Ivies are climbing plants great for covering walls or as ground cover. While they can be invasive outdoors, English ivy is an easy-to-grow, low-care indoor plant. To grow it in water, place four to six-inch clippings in a glass or vase. Clip the stem where it’s still green, avoiding woody sections as they root more slowly. After a few months, you can either pot the rooted ivy or let it thrive in water.
Heartleaf Philodendron (Philodendron hederaceum)
This tropical vine is nearly indestructible, making it perfect for slightly negligent plant parents! With glossy, heart-shaped leaves, it can cascade down over four feet. To grow in water, take a four to eight-inch stem cutting and remove the bottom leaves. Place it in water in bright light, away from direct sun. It prefers temperatures above 70°F, so keep it out of cold rooms. Feed occasionally with a drop of liquid organic fertilizer. The Golden Goddess philodendron is another variety that thrives in water!
Chinese Evergreen (Aglaonema species)
These carefree plants thrive in low light and tolerate neglect, making them perfect for busy folks. Clip six-inch stems and place them in bright rooms, avoiding direct sunlight.
Rubber Plant (Ficus elastica)
With large, waxy leaves, rubber plants can grow quite large in soil. In water, they grow slower. Start with a six to eight-inch cutting, removing leaves from the bottom half. Keep it in a clean container, away from direct sun but with plenty of bright indirect light. Roots will emerge in three to four months!
Dumb Cane (Dieffenbachia species)
Known for its large, variegated leaves, dumb cane is beautiful and low-maintenance. Cut a six-inch stem and place it in clean water, keeping it in bright light out of direct sun. Remember to wear gloves when handling, as the sap can irritate skin!
English Ivy (Hedera helix)
Ivies are climbing plants great for covering walls or as ground cover. While they can be invasive outdoors, English ivy is an easy-to-grow, low-care indoor plant. To grow it in water, place four to six-inch clippings in a glass or vase. Clip the stem where it’s still green, avoiding woody sections as they root more slowly. After a few months, you can either pot the rooted ivy or let it thrive in water.
Heartleaf Philodendron (Philodendron hederaceum)
This tropical vine is nearly indestructible, making it perfect for slightly negligent plant parents! With glossy, heart-shaped leaves, it can cascade down over four feet. To grow in water, take a four to eight-inch stem cutting and remove the bottom leaves. Place it in water in bright light, away from direct sun. It prefers temperatures above 70°F, so keep it out of cold rooms. Feed occasionally with a drop of liquid organic fertilizer. The Golden Goddess philodendron is another variety that thrives in water!
Devil’s Ivy (Epipremnum aureum)
Also known as golden pothos, this vigorous vining plant features heart-shaped leaves variegated in green and yellow. The stems trail down, making it perfect for tall vases or wall-mounted containers. If given support, it can grow vertically on a moss-covered post.
Lucky Bamboo (Dracaena sanderiana)
Despite its bamboo-like appearance, lucky bamboo is a type of Dracaena. The thick stalks are arranged in bundles and require minimal care, thriving in water. It prefers bright, indirect light and should be fertilised every month or two with a weak organic solution.
Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum)
Commonly appreciated for its arching variegated foliage, spider plants produce ‘pups’ that can be rooted in water. They can thrive in water long-term and should be kept out of direct sunlight, with water changed every week or two.
Coleus (Solenostemon scutellarioides)
Coleus plants are loved for their vibrant foliage. They can be planted outdoors during summer and cut for indoor growth in winter. Stem cuttings can root in water or be potted, thriving in average room temperatures away from direct sun.
Begonia (Begonia species)
These plants are ideal for summer containers and perform well indoors with succulent stems and waxy leaves. Tuberous, wax, Angelwing, and rex begonias can be propagated in water from stems or single leaves.
Sweet Potato Vine (Ipomoea batatas)
A vigorous trailing plant, sweet potato vines can grow four to five feet long. They offer a variety of leaf colours and shapes. Cuttings taken in autumn can be grown indoors by clipping below a leaf node.
Geranium (Pelargonium species)
Old-fashioned annuals, geraniums are popular for sunny outdoor spaces and can also be grown as houseplants. Cut five to seven-inch stems from your favourite cultivars, placing them in water and changing it every few weeks.
Also known as golden pothos, this vigorous vining plant features heart-shaped leaves variegated in green and yellow. The stems trail down, making it perfect for tall vases or wall-mounted containers. If given support, it can grow vertically on a moss-covered post.
Lucky Bamboo (Dracaena sanderiana)
Despite its bamboo-like appearance, lucky bamboo is a type of Dracaena. The thick stalks are arranged in bundles and require minimal care, thriving in water. It prefers bright, indirect light and should be fertilised every month or two with a weak organic solution.
Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum)
Commonly appreciated for its arching variegated foliage, spider plants produce ‘pups’ that can be rooted in water. They can thrive in water long-term and should be kept out of direct sunlight, with water changed every week or two.
Coleus (Solenostemon scutellarioides)
Coleus plants are loved for their vibrant foliage. They can be planted outdoors during summer and cut for indoor growth in winter. Stem cuttings can root in water or be potted, thriving in average room temperatures away from direct sun.
Begonia (Begonia species)
These plants are ideal for summer containers and perform well indoors with succulent stems and waxy leaves. Tuberous, wax, Angelwing, and rex begonias can be propagated in water from stems or single leaves.
Sweet Potato Vine (Ipomoea batatas)
A vigorous trailing plant, sweet potato vines can grow four to five feet long. They offer a variety of leaf colours and shapes. Cuttings taken in autumn can be grown indoors by clipping below a leaf node.
Geranium (Pelargonium species)
Old-fashioned annuals, geraniums are popular for sunny outdoor spaces and can also be grown as houseplants. Cut five to seven-inch stems from your favourite cultivars, placing them in water and changing it every few weeks.
