Amazing Hack Of Growing Plants In Water Instead Of Soil

Even though rooting cuttings in water is a widespread practice among gardeners and most of them are familiar with hydroponics, only a handful understand how to cultivate indoor plants.

Hydroponic gardening has shown us that most plants can be grown in water, but this often needs cyclic wetting of the roots with actively aerated nutrient-loaded water.

Some skill is involved in successfully growing plants in water, but it can be done.

Which Indoor Plants Can I Grow In Water?

Not all houseplants require soil to grow, which means you can have a bit of greenery in your life even if you don’t have access to a yard or potting soil. While there are countless options for indoor plants that grow in water, here are nine of the best:

#Common NameBotanical Name
1Peace LiliesSpathiphyllum
2PothosEpipremnum aureus
3PhilodendronPhilodendron hederaceum
4MonsteraMonstera deliciosa
5Lucky BambooDracaena sanderiana
6Spider PlantsChlorophytum comosum
7Arrowhead PlantSyngonium podophyllum 
8Metallic Leaf BegoniaBegonia incarnata
9Chinese EvergreenAglaonema commutatum

The list excludes actual aquatic and indoor plants that will also so well in a water medium, such as the Chinese money plant (Pilea peperomiodes), green onions (Allium fistulosum), and coleus plants.

Other p[plants that grow in water are the famous sweet potato vine (Ipomoea batatas)and the fiddle leaf fig (Fiscus lyrata). 

Before we get to the details of how to grow these plants in water, let’s first explore some considerations of the how, where, and aesthetic possibilities.

Growing Plants in Water

Before growing indoor water plants, there are a few factors to consider, similar to what you may think when growing plants in potting containers or outdoors in a garden. These include temperature, fertilization, and light. Let’s explore these more:

Light 

It is best to research the lighting requirements of the specific plant you have selected to grow in water and to choose an appropriate lighting position.

Growing in water can display your plant’s bare root ball. But remember that if you use a glass container, the water will heat up in the sunlight, potentially harming your plant’s tender roots.

Therefore, you should avoid positions that put your indoor water garden plant in direct sunlight.

Temperature

Plants, like humans, prefer stable temperatures. So, please choose a location to provide your plant with the desired temperature ranges and a consistent temperature band to avoid their roots becoming too cold or too warm.

Fertilizing

Soil contains nutrients that your houseplant needs to grow. When growing your plant in water, occasionally add some liquid fertilizer to avoid malnutrition and a weakened plant.

The Importance of Water Quality for Water Plants

 You should also use water with fewer minerals, such as filtered or distilled water or harvested rainwater.

These don’t contain fluoride and chlorine like regular tap water, which can be harmful. The additives to public water will dissipate if you leave the water to stand in an open vessel for 24 hours.

Like soil-based plants, water-based ones need regular freshwater, too; change water weekly at least. Regularly adding fresh water to your container will help your water plants flourish.

It keeps the water oxygenated and prevents algae growth, which depletes oxygen.

Always use room-temp water, as extreme temperature variations can cause shock.

Which Plant Grows in Water

Below is an overview of nine indoor plants that will thrive if grown in water with some indirect light. 

Peace Lilies

Best Indoor Plants That Grow In Water—Peace Lily

This plant is one of the most popular houseplants in the world and for a good reason. The peace lily (Spathiphyllum) is easy to care for tropical plant that does not require much light.

Its large leaves are dark green with splotches of lighter green, giving it an exotic look without requiring special care. Peace lilies come in various sizes and can be used as an accent piece or centerpiece in a room where they will get lots of attention! They also make great additions to terrariums because they don’t need much light to thrive indoors!

Pothos

Best Indoor Plants That Grow In Water—Pothos

This plant is one of the most popular houseplants in the world and for a good reason. The Pothos is easy to care for and does not require much light or water.

Its large leaves are dark green with splotches of lighter green, giving it an exotic look without requiring special care. Pothos come in various sizes and can be used as an accent piece or centerpiece in a room where they will get lots of attention! They also make great additions to terrariums because they don’t need much light to thrive indoors!

Philodendrons

Best Plants Growing in Water—Philodendron

The philodendron is a flowering plant that grows in the tropical rainforests of Central and South America. The most common varieties are heart-shaped leaves, with some being variegated. These plants grow best when outside, but they can also be grown indoors if you don’t have a suitable spot for one.

Philodendrons can also be used as patios and hanging plants due to their versatility and hardiness. Because they grow so large, these plants make great additions to any room or garden area that requires some color!

Monsteras

Best Indoor Plants That Grow In Water—Monstera

The Delicious Monster is another excellent example of a houseplant that converts well to water and can live that way for a long time. Like the Split Leaf Philodendron, the Monstera Deliiciosa looks excellent in a big vase on a table. Its large, windowed leaves add elegance and charm to any room, whether at home or the office.

Water-based Monstera should be positioned like any other healthy plant. Give it bright filtered light near an East or West-facing window where it can receive soft indirect sunlight, but guard against the water getting warm, especially if you’re using glass jars.

Lucky Bamboo

Best Indoor Plants to Grow In Water—Lucky Bamboo

This is one of the easiest and most popular plants to grow. It’s also an excellent option for those who don’t have a green thumb. What makes this plant so easy to care for? For starters, it does not require much light and can thrive in low-light conditions such as bathrooms or dark corners of your home. 

Because it lives underwater (or mostly so), this plant does not need soil or sunlight; instead, it depends on its roots being surrounded by water at all times. This allows them to absorb nutrients from decaying matter in the bottom layer of water while also taking advantage of oxygen present within that same medium. 

Spider Plant

Best Plants to Grow In Water—Spider Plant

Spider plants are pretty easy houseplants to take care of. They require moderate light and prefer to be moist but not too wet.

You can propagate spider plants by taking cuttings from it: place each new cutting in water until you see roots growing out of its base, then transfer it to soil or peat moss.

Arrowhead Plant

Can I Grow Plants in Water? Yes, the Arrowhead Plant

Arrowhead Plants, or Syngonium, are excellent houseplants due to their low maintenance requirements. They are simple to recognize thanks to the arrow-shaped foliage, vivid deep green color forms, and trailing habit that mature specimens exhibit. They also make excellent choices for cultivation in aquatic environments, adding captivating tropical charm to your interior decor—without messy soil.

The Arrowhead plant is highly adaptable and can thrive in various lighting conditions, except for total darkness, where it will not grow. Despite this, it is recommended that you put the plant in a warm area and provide it with bright indirect light to keep up with its propensity for rapid growth.

The best lighting conditions for your plant can be achieved by positioning it on a sunny windowsill or in a display space that faces east. This will keep your plant healthy and happy.

Metallic Leaf Begonia

Can I grow plants in water? Yes, Begonias

Begonias are excellent houseplants because their leaves come in various colors, shapes, and forms. Bringing the energy and vibe of the jungle into your home’s decor. In addition, not only are they gorgeous to look at, but they also make fantastic candidates for cultivation in aquatic environments. Furthermore, they are not only stunning to look at, but they are excellent candidates for growing in water.

To promote healthy root formation in your Begonia cuttings, place them where they will be exposed to bright, filtered light. This will significantly benefit your plant if you can provide it with higher humidity. For example, put it in a bright bathroom or place it near a humidifier. 

It is important to remember to check on your stem cuttings regularly and to change the water once a week.

You don’t need to feed your plant during the first few weeks before they produce roots. However, once you notice that the roots are developing, it is recommended that you begin feeding the plant with a diluted fertilizer solution—but not directly on the exposed roots.

Chinese Evergreen Plant

Best Plants to Grow In Water—Chinese Evergreen Plants

The plant does well in diffuse sun or good indirect light and prefers high humidity but will tolerate dryer air. Keep the potting mix moist from spring to fall. Remove flowers and fruits to direct energy to plant growth. It is an excellent plant for low-light, indoor locations.

It has 4 to 8-inch (10 to 20 cm) long, 2- to 3-inch (5 to 8 cm) wide, dark green lance-shaped leaves. On the upright stems, there are attractive blotches of silver gray. It will occasionally bloom as a houseplant in the late summer or early fall, with a white spadix and a greenish-white spathe. After a few weeks, the blooms are followed by red clusters of berries.

In Closing

Planning on bringing new plants into your home? Why don’t you try some water plant growing? Any house plants propagated in water can be sustained in just water—as long as you regularly add a few drops of nutrition and change the water occasionally.

Whether you use a glass jar or an opaque container, keep the roots only a few inches underwater to allow the rest to access the needed air.

Growing houseplants is a great way to use cuttings from existing plants. Just check for leaf nodes and cut a couple of inches below.

Even if the cutting has a single leaf, it can form roots and grow indoors. 

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