I never thought I’d be the kind of person who grows plants in water, but once I tried it, I was hooked. There’s something calming about watching roots swirl in a clear vase—and no soil means no mess to clean up. It’s perfect for windowsills, desks, or anywhere that needs a little life.
Some of these plants almost seem too easy—just pop a cutting in water and let nature take over. Even if you’ve struggled with traditional pots and dirt, this method feels refreshingly low-maintenance. Plus, it gives you a front-row seat to watch growth happen.
If you’re craving a touch of greenery but don’t want the hassle of repotting or watering schedules, water-grown plants are a game-changer. They add beauty and life to your home with next to no effort, and honestly, it’s kind of addictive once you start.
1. Lucky Bamboo
Water-growing has never been easier than with this Asian favorite. The stalks twist and turn into fascinating shapes while developing an impressive root system that becomes part of the display.
Many believe these plants bring good fortune when given as gifts. I’ve had mine thriving for years with just a monthly water change and occasional liquid fertilizer drop.
Keep the roots submerged while leaving the stems above water. For best results, use filtered water since tap water chemicals can turn the leaves yellow over time.
2. Pothos
Watching roots develop from cuttings feels like witnessing a small miracle in your living room. Golden, marble queen, or neon varieties all thrive when their nodes are submerged in water, sending out white tendrils that eventually fill the vase.
Change the water every week or two to prevent algae buildup. My kitchen pothos started as a single cutting and now cascades down from its perch with impressive trailing vines.
Unlike many plants, pothos can live indefinitely in water alone, though they grow slower than their soil-planted cousins. Position them in bright, indirect light for the best leaf color and growth.
3. Peace Lily
Elegant white blooms rise above glossy green leaves when this tropical beauty is happy in its watery home. Unlike most flowering plants, peace lilies adapt surprisingly well to hydroponic growing.
Start with a mature, soil-grown plant, gently wash away all dirt from the roots, and transfer to a vase large enough to support the root ball. The transition period might cause some drooping, but patience pays off.
Water should cover the roots but not the crown where stems emerge. After trying both methods, I’ve found water-grown specimens produce more flowers than their soil counterparts when given proper care.
4. Chinese Evergreen
Striking patterned leaves make this plant a showstopper even without flowers. Cuttings root readily in water, transforming a simple glass container into a living art piece within weeks.
Various cultivars offer different leaf patterns – from silver splashes to pink highlights. My water-grown specimen has maintained its vibrant coloration for months with minimal care.
Choose a vase with a narrow neck to help support the stems as they grow. These plants prefer warm spots away from drafts and cold windows, making them perfect for bathrooms where they enjoy the extra humidity.
5. Spider Plant
Those little plantlets that dangle from mature specimens root almost instantly when placed in water. Their arching, variegated leaves create a fountain-like effect that softens any room’s hard edges. Watching the babies develop their own root systems feels like running a tiny plant nursery on your windowsill.
I’ve started dozens of new plants this way, keeping some and giving others as impromptu gifts. Use room temperature water and place in bright, filtered light for fastest rooting.
While they won’t grow as large as soil-planted specimens, water-grown spider plants maintain their distinctive appearance and air-purifying qualities.
6. English Ivy
Trailing vines create a romantic, cottage-inspired look when allowed to spill from a tall vase. Cuttings taken from established plants develop roots within days when stem ends are placed in fresh water.
The contrast between dark green leaves and pale underwater roots adds visual interest to any room. During winter months when my garden ivy goes dormant, these indoor cuttings keep the greenery going year-round.
Refresh water weekly and rinse roots occasionally to prevent slime buildup. Once established, ivy can grow several feet long in water alone, though growth is typically slower than in soil.
7. Wandering Jew
Purple-striped leaves create a stunning color display unlike most water-grown plants. Stems root eagerly at the nodes, quickly filling a vase with an impressive underwater root structure.
Morning light brings out the iridescent quality in the foliage, making it seem almost metallic. The plant earned its name from its tendency to ‘wander’ as stems grow and trail, though in water they create a more contained display.
Cuttings from this plant root so readily that you’ll soon have extras to share with friends. Just snip below a node, remove lower leaves, and place in water – new roots appear within days.
8. Philodendron
Heart-shaped leaves dangle from vines that seem perfectly content to grow indefinitely in water. Their tropical appearance brings a jungle vibe to any room without the fuss of soil. Various philodendron types work well, from the classic heartleaf to the trendy Brasil with its yellow variegation.
After comparing both growing methods, I’ve found water-grown specimens develop glossier leaves than their soil counterparts. Clean the vase monthly to remove mineral buildup that can cloud the water.
Adding a drop of liquid houseplant fertilizer every few weeks keeps the foliage lush and prevents the yellowing that can occur with water-only growth.
9. Sweet Potato Vine
From humble grocery store roots comes an unexpectedly elegant houseplant. Half-submerge an organic sweet potato in water using toothpicks to hold it in place, and watch the magic unfold over several weeks. Lush vines with heart-shaped leaves emerge from the seemingly dormant tuber.
My kitchen window specimen started as a cooking leftover and now creates a living curtain of greenery that filters the afternoon sun.
The contrast between the rough brown potato and delicate green shoots creates a conversation piece visitors always notice. Purple varieties offer especially dramatic foliage that intensifies in color with increased light exposure.
10. Coleus
Kaleidoscopic leaf patterns make this plant a living stained-glass window when grown in clear vessels. Stem cuttings root readily in water, maintaining their vibrant colors without soil. Choose varieties with sturdy stems that can support themselves as they grow.
The water magnifies the intricate patterns on the undersides of leaves, creating an additional visual dimension you’d miss with potted specimens. Bright, indirect light keeps colors intense without scorching the delicate foliage.
Unlike many water-grown plants that merely survive, my coleus cuttings actually thrive and develop new growth patterns unique to their hydroponic environment.
11. Arrowhead Plant
Arrow-shaped leaves emerge from stems that develop an impressive underwater root system in transparent vases. Young leaves start compact, then expand and sometimes split as they mature, creating visual evolution over time.
Various cultivars offer different patterns from dark green to pink-tinged or white-speckled foliage. After moving mine from soil to water, I noticed new leaves developed more vibrant variegation patterns. The contrast between geometric leaf shapes and wispy white roots creates a balanced visual display.
Keep water level consistent, as these plants develop both water and air roots that serve different functions in their growth cycle.
12. African Violet
Surprising even experienced gardeners, these flowering favorites can thrive in specialized water culture. Unlike simple cuttings, they require a specific setup with the crown suspended above water while roots dangle below. Special African violet vases with a narrow neck support the plant perfectly.
The method eliminates common soil-related problems like crown rot while still delivering the charming purple, pink, or white blooms these plants are loved for.
Water should contain diluted fertilizer specifically formulated for African violets. My water-grown specimen blooms more frequently than its soil-grown siblings, possibly due to more consistent moisture levels reaching the roots.
13. Begonia
Fascinating leaf patterns and sometimes colorful stems make begonias standout water-growers. Cuttings develop roots quickly, often showing new growth within weeks of being placed in water. Rex varieties with their swirling colors create living artwork in clear vases.
The water magnifies the red undersides of leaves, adding an unexpected color dimension to the display. Angel wing begonias work particularly well, with their dramatic leaf shapes and potential for blooms even in water culture.
Unlike many houseplants, begonias actually seem to enjoy the consistent moisture, rewarding minimal care with maximum visual impact.
14. Prayer Plant
Famous for leaves that fold upward at night like hands in prayer, this plant brings movement to static water displays. The distinctive red veins on many varieties create striking patterns that reflect beautifully in clear vases.
Cuttings root slowly compared to some plants, but patience yields a distinctive specimen unlike any other. My water-grown prayer plant still performs its nightly leaf-folding ritual, proving it doesn’t need soil to maintain its natural habits.
Use filtered water if possible, as these plants can be sensitive to chemicals in tap water. The high humidity around the water surface seems to prevent the leaf-tip browning that often troubles soil-grown specimens.
15. Mint
Aromatic stems fill a room with fresh scent while creating an edible water garden. Cuttings root almost overnight, quickly developing an extensive white root system that becomes part of the display. Harvest leaves regularly for cooking or tea while maintaining the plant’s decorative appeal.
My kitchen windowsill mint provides both visual interest and culinary ingredients year-round, regardless of outdoor growing seasons. Change water weekly to prevent stagnation and keep growth vigorous.
Unlike many herbs that struggle indoors, mint actually thrives in water culture, often growing more lushly than its garden counterparts during winter months.
16. Snake Plant
Architectural leaf blades create dramatic vertical lines in tall cylindrical vases. Unlike many water-grown plants that start as cuttings, snake plants can be transferred whole from soil to water with surprising success. The transition requires patience as the plant develops water-specific roots.
After the adjustment period, these nearly indestructible plants continue their slow but steady growth without soil. Water should cover only the root zone, not the base of the leaves, to prevent rot.
My water-grown specimen has maintained its distinctive variegation and upright form for over a year, proving these adaptable plants truly earn their reputation for toughness.
17. Paperwhite Narcissus
Winter-blooming bulbs create a spectacular seasonal display when grown in water-filled vases. Unlike most vase plants that focus on foliage, paperwhites deliver fragrant white flowers on tall stems above their grassy leaves.
Special forcing vases with a pinched middle hold bulbs perfectly positioned with bases just touching the water. Watching the roots develop downward while stems reach upward creates a fascinating growth timeline over several weeks.
Once blooming finishes, these aren’t candidates for continued water growth. However, the dramatic flowering period and minimal care requirements make them perfect for temporary decorative displays during winter months when other plants slow their growth.
18. Fiddle Leaf Fig
Despite their popularity, these trendy trees struggle when confined to water-only growing. The large leaves demand more nutrients than water alone can provide, leading to yellowing foliage and eventual decline.
While cuttings might root initially in water, they fail to thrive long-term without soil. My attempt at keeping a rooted cutting in water resulted in stunted growth and eventual leaf drop despite regular fertilizing. For those determined to try, use a very large vessel and high-quality liquid fertilizer.
Better alternatives for dramatic leaf display in vases include philodendrons or pothos, which offer similar aesthetic impact with much higher success rates in water-only environments.
19. Succulents
Despite their trendy status, most succulents are poor candidates for water-growing. Their natural adaptation to dry conditions means roots often rot when constantly submerged, leading to plant collapse.
Attempts at water propagation usually result in either failure to root or initial success followed by rapid deterioration. My experiments with various succulent varieties all ended with the same disappointing mush that once was a healthy plant.
For those seeking low-maintenance vase plants, consider air plants (Tillandsia) instead. These require only occasional misting rather than constant water contact, creating a similar minimalist aesthetic without fighting against the plant’s natural growing preferences.
20. Orchids
Contrary to popular attempts, most orchid varieties cannot thrive in water alone despite their aerial root systems. While they appreciate high humidity, constant water contact leads to root rot and plant failure. The complex nutritional needs of these flowering plants simply aren’t met through water culture.
After watching several friends lose prized specimens to well-intentioned water experiments, I’ve learned that specialized orchid media is non-negotiable. For those seeking flowering plants for vases, peace lilies or certain begonia varieties offer better success rates.
Alternatively, consider water-friendly support materials like LECA (clay balls) that provide both moisture and airflow to orchid roots while still creating an attractive vase display.