Growing plants that can live in water is a fantastic alternative to fussing with messy bags of soil. This method, which opens up many creative hydroponic house plants ideas, lets you keep your indoor jungle thriving without the usual dirt-related headaches. A lot of common greenery adapts way better than you’d think to aquatic environments, and finding plants that can grow in water is a great way to simplify your plant care routine.
You can grow a surprising number of aqua plants indoor, from tropical beauties to trailing vines, each bringing its own unique aesthetic to your home. These range from old classics that look great on a windowsill to some more unusual picks that really stand out. Whether you’re into small water plants for a desk or dramatic, upright showpieces, water-grown plants make it easy to switch things up.
If you are looking for watering indoor plants tips, you’ll find that plants that do well in water eliminate the guesswork of over or under-watering. Here’s a list of twenty reliable options that either move from soil to water without a fuss or can flourish in water alone from the very start.
1) Pothos
Pothos is about as easy as it gets for water-growing. Just snip a healthy stem, stick it in a jar or vase, and you’re off.
The roots will develop in both tap and purified water, so you don’t have to overthink it. Pothos doesn’t need fertilizer at first and it’ll survive just fine in plain water. Just swap out the water every week or so to keep things fresh.
2) Lucky Bamboo
Lucky bamboo is basically made for growing in water, which is probably why it’s everywhere. Just pop it in a glass with clean water, change that water weekly, and you’re golden.
Lucky bamboo can live in soil or water, so you’ve got options. Keep the water just above the roots, an inch or so is good.
It barely needs any attention and does fine in indirect light. Pretty much foolproof.
3) Peace Lily
Peace lily is one of those plants that just seems happy in water. Take a cutting, stick it in a vase, and make sure the roots are under water but the leaves aren’t.
It likes things on the warmer side – 18 to 20°C is ideal. Change the water regularly to keep bacteria away.
4) Spider Plant
Spider plants are pretty chill about growing in water. Just snip off a baby (or “pup”), drop it in a glass, and roots will show up before you know it.
Change the water every week to keep things clean. Bright, indirect light is best, but they’re not that picky.
Consistent water availability keeps them happiest, since water stress can slow them down.
5) Philodendron
Philodendrons are kind of made for water setups. Take a stem cutting, put it in water, and you’ll see roots popping out in a couple weeks.
Their adventitious roots are built to soak up water and nutrients, so soil isn’t necessary. Just remember to change the water now and then and give it some light.
6) Chinese Evergreen
Chinese Evergreen is another solid pick for water growing. Snip a stem, drop it in water, and wait for roots.
It’s not fussy about light, and even very low light is fine. Change the water every couple of weeks and you’re set.
7) English Ivy
English ivy can definitely live in water. Take a cutting, toss it in a glass, and it’ll root pretty quickly.
This ornamental vine handles hydroponic conditions well. Just keep the water fresh and stick it somewhere with indirect light.
8) Chinese Money Plant
Chinese Money Plant (Pilea peperomioides) is a fun one to propagate in water. Just put a stem cutting in a clear glass with fresh water.
Change the water every few days so it doesn’t get funky. Roots will show up in a couple weeks, and you can keep it going in water for a long time if you want.
9) Arrowhead Plant
Arrowhead plants are right at home in water. You can anchor them under the surface or let them sit in marshy setups, as they’ll adapt either way.
They’ve got those classic arrow-shaped leaves, and they’re even good for cleaning up water by absorbing contaminants.
10) Devil’s Ivy
Devil’s ivy is another classic for water growing. Cut a stem, put it in water, and it’ll root up fast.
It’s tough and doesn’t need much to survive, pulling nutrients from the water with no problem. Change the water every couple weeks to keep things healthy.
11) Bird’s Nest Fern
Bird’s nest ferns (Asplenium nidus) are kind of built for damp environments. Their rosette shape collects water naturally, so growing them with roots in water just makes sense.
They’ll do fine with their roots submerged or in very wet soil. Just refresh the water regularly.
12) Anthurium
Anthurium looks great in water and doesn’t really miss soil. It’ll adapt to water-based setups and even changes how its roots work to get what it needs.
Just keep the water clean. The roots will grow a little differently than in soil, but that’s part of the fun.
13) Heartleaf Philodendron
Heartleaf Philodendron (Philodendron scandens) is super easy to root in water. Find a stem with a node, stick it in a glass, and that’s about it.
It’ll put out strong aerial roots that soak up water and help hold the plant up. Change the water every week or two.
This adaptable plant is a favorite for interior plantscaping and keeps its nice heart-shaped leaves in water for ages.
14) Swedish Ivy
Swedish ivy is happy in water and super easy to grow. Just take a cutting, put it in a jar, and roots will show up pretty soon.
It’s a trailing plant with shiny, scalloped leaves. Weekly water changes keep it healthy. It also doesn’t mind lower light as much as other water-grown plants.
15) Sweet Potato Vine
Sweet potato vine can be grown in water and makes a surprisingly nice houseplant. You can even harvest the vines as it grows.
Just stick a vine cutting in water and it’ll root. Change the water now and then to keep it fresh.
The leaves look great and it doesn’t ask for much in return.
16) Coleus
Coleus is a breeze to grow in water. Cut a stem just below the leaves, drop it in a glass, and you’ll have a new plant before you know it.
Room temperature water is best, and changing it often keeps things healthy. The colorful leaves really brighten up any spot.
17) Aquatic Fern
Aquatic ferns come in all sorts, and they’re made for life in water. You’ll see species like Salvinia and Marsilea in ponds and streams.
These ferns have special structures for floating or rooting in shallow spots. They’re also great for cleaning up water by absorbing extra nutrients and even some contaminants.
18) Maranta (Prayer Plant)
Maranta, or as most folks call it, the prayer plant, is surprisingly flexible, and it’ll grow in water if you’re not keen on soil. Some people start fresh cuttings in water, while others just move their established plants over, and honestly, both ways seem to work out.
The prayer plant family requires sufficient water during growth periods. If you’re keeping Maranta in water, make sure to swap it out now and then to keep things fresh. Plus, that helps the roots breathe a bit easier!
