Who says you need soil, pots, or a complicated routine to enjoy houseplants?
Plenty of popular houseplants actually thrive in water alone, offering a clean, low-fuss way to bring greenery indoors. No more worrying about overwatering, messy dirt, or some of the usual pests! This method’s a lifesaver for beginners or anyone with a packed schedule.
Here’s a lineup of lovely houseplants you can grow in water, from trailing vines to statement foliage.
1) Pothos (Epipremnum aureum)
Pothos, aka devil’s ivy, is about as forgiving as houseplants get. You just snip a stem, pop it in water, and roots start showing up in a couple of weeks. Easy.
The leaves are heart-shaped and come in a range of greens, with some varieties showing off cream or golden streaks. If you’re new to plants or just not into soil, this one’s hard to mess up.
2) Philodendron heartleaf
Heartleaf philodendron is another classic that grows happily in water. Just cut a stem and stick it in a jar or glass with water.
This trailing beauty barely asks for anything! Just swap out the water once a week, give it some indirect light, and it’ll keep going. Add a bit of liquid fertilizer every now and then if you want it to really thrive.
3) Lucky Bamboo (Dracaena sanderiana)
Despite the name, lucky bamboo isn’t actually bamboo, it’s a Dracaena. Still, it’s one of the easiest plants to grow in water, so it’s a staple in homes and offices.
Set the stalks upright in water with some pebbles for support. Just remember to change the water every couple of weeks to keep things fresh.
Bright, indirect light is best. Plus, lucky bamboo is said to bring good fortune, which never hurts.
4) Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum)
Spider plants are surprisingly adaptable to water. Grab a few of their little “pups” and let them root in a glass of water.
Roots usually pop up in a couple of weeks. Freshen the water weekly to keep things clean and oxygenated.
They’ll handle all sorts of light but definitely prefer it bright (though not direct). Even without soil, you’ll get those classic arching leaves and a nice, full look.
5) Chinese Evergreen (Aglaonema)
Chinese Evergreen doesn’t mind a stint in water, even if it’s usually a soil dweller. Place stem cuttings in a jar with the nodes under water, and its as simple as that.
Swap out the water once a week to avoid any funk. With good indirect light, you’ll see roots forming in a few weeks.
It’ll tolerate low light in soil, but in water, give it a little more brightness to keep the leaves looking sharp.
6) Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum)
Peace lilies are surprisingly content in water. Their glossy leaves and those elegant white blooms can really dress up a room.
If you’re moving one from soil, rinse the roots well and set it in filtered or distilled water. Change the water every week or two to keep things healthy.
Bright, indirect light and steady temperatures work best.
7) English Ivy (Hedera helix)
If you’re avoiding soil, English ivy is a solid pick. Its evergreen leaves look great trailing from a shelf or window.
Just snip a healthy stem and drop it in water. Change the water weekly, and give it bright, indirect light. It’s also fine with cooler rooms, which is handy.
8) Lucky Bamboo
Lucky bamboo shows up again because, honestly, it’s just that easy. Not a true bamboo, but still a favorite for water-growing newbies.
It’s a symbol of prosperity in a lot of places, and you’ll find both straight and spiraled stalks for a decorative touch.
Keep the roots submerged in good water and change it every couple of weeks. That’s about it.
9) Arrowhead Plant (Syngonium podophyllum)
Arrowhead plants are quick to root in water and look great with their arrow-shaped leaves. Grab a cutting and stick it in a glass and watch the roots appear!
Indirect light is best. Refresh the water every week, and you’ll have a lush, leafy display in no time.
10) Coleus
Coleus is all about that bold, multicolored foliage with its reds, purples, yellows, greens, you name it. Propagating in water is a breeze; just snip a mature stem and pop it in a jar.
Change the water often, and keep it in bright, indirect light. It brings a splash of color indoors, no potting mix needed.
11) English Ivy
English ivy’s versatility makes it a favorite for water propagation. Take 4- to 6-inch cuttings, strip the lower leaves, and let the nodes soak in water, just keep the leaves out of the water.
Bright, indirect light and temps around 70–90°F work best. Change the water every few days so things don’t get slimy.
12) Monstera deliciosa cutting
Monstera cuttings do well in water if you include at least one node on the stem, since that’s where roots emerge.
Set the cutting in a glass of fresh water and keep it in bright, indirect light. Change the water weekly to avoid cloudy buildup and keep roots healthy.
Once roots are a few inches long, you can either leave it in water or move it to soil – up to you!
13) Snake Plant (Sansevieria)
Snake plants can be propagated in water, too. Cut a healthy leaf into sections and place them upright in a jar with water.
With indirect light and weekly water changes, roots will appear over time. They’re slow but steady!
Snake plants are tough, so even if you forget about them for a bit, they’ll probably be fine. Watch for new roots sprouting from the cut ends.
14) Tradescantia zebrina
Tradescantia zebrina (the inch plant) is super easy to grow in water, and those purple-and-silver striped leaves are real eye-catchers.
Just snip a stem and drop it in water. Roots show up fast, sometimes within days!
Weekly water changes and bright, indirect light help keep the colors vivid and the vines trailing.
15) Peace Lily
Peace lilies really don’t mind living in water. Their shiny leaves and white blooms look just as good without soil.
Keep them in a spot with temps between 65°F and 80°F, and mist if the air’s dry. A little water-soluble fertilizer now and then helps, but don’t overdo it. Change the water regularly so it stays fresh.
16) Sweet Potato Vine
Sweet potato vines are surprisingly good in water. Stick a sweet potato in a jar, suspend it with toothpicks if needed, and let the bottom half soak.
You’ll get vibrant, trailing foliage in no time. Change the water weekly for best results.
They love bright, indirect light and warmth. Fertilizer isn’t a must, but a dose every couple of weeks during the growing season can make the foliage even fuller.
17) Philodendron Brasil
Philodendron Brasil stands out with its lime-green variegation and heart-shaped leaves. You can root cuttings in a glass of water and watch them take off.
Give it bright, indirect light and change the water regularly. It’s a great choice for shelves or window sills, especially in a clear vase to show off those roots.
18) Bamboo Palm
Bamboo palm is usually a soil plant, but you can coax cuttings to root in water if you’re patient. Place stems in a jar of fresh water, and don’t forget those weekly water swaps.
Keep it in bright, indirect light. It’s a slow grower, so don’t expect instant results. Once roots are in, you can leave it in water or pot it up in soil, whatever works for you.
19) Prayer Plant (Maranta leuconeura)
Prayer plants can be grown from stem cuttings in water, and their patterned leaves plus the way they fold up at night make them pretty interesting.
Take a cutting with a few nodes, set it in clean water, and change the water weekly. You should see roots in two to four weeks if you give it indirect light and a bit of warmth and humidity.
20) Begonia
Begonias are charming houseplants with bold, vibrant leaves and a knack for brightening up a room. You can actually grow them in water, no soil needed. Just snip a healthy stem, pop it in a jar, and make sure the roots are under water while the leaves stay dry up top.
Swap out the water every few days to keep things fresh, and give your begonia a spot with plenty of indirect light. With a little attention, you’ll see roots sprout and your plant settle right in.
