Let’s be honest: growing plants indoors usually means dirt everywhere, constant watering, and that nagging feeling you’re doing something wrong. But here’s a little secret! Lots of popular houseplants are actually plants that thrive in water alone, ditching soil altogether. If you’re after a cleaner, low-fuss way to enjoy greenery, choosing plants that survive in water is a lifesaver for apartments, offices, or anyone tired of muddy pots. These no soil indoor plants make gardening accessible to everyone.
From trailing vines to kitchen herbs, there’s a surprisingly wide range of plants that grow in water indoor. Whether you are using a sleek glass jar planter or repurposing old containers for a plants in bottle aesthetic, you can easily find plants to propagate in water, such as pothos, philodendron, and even herbs like basil and mint.
Each of these plants that dont need soil brings its own style and barely asks for attention. They are perfect if you’re new to indoor gardening or just want something that won’t die the second you look away!
1) Lucky Bamboo
Lucky Bamboo isn’t actually bamboo, it’s Dracaena sanderiana, part of the asparagus family. It pretty much thrives on neglect and does great in water, so it’s perfect if you’re just starting out.
Pop it in a clear container with fresh water and swap out the water every week or so to keep things clean. Make sure the roots stay underwater by at least an inch or two.
It likes indirect light and could use a splash of liquid fertilizer every now and then. Nothing complicated.
2) Pothos
Pothos will happily live in water for ages if you give it half a chance. Keep the water clean, toss in some nutrients occasionally, and make sure it gets decent light – simple as that!
Every variety (Golden, Marble Queen, Jade) handles water just fine. Some people even keep pothos in fish tanks or other water features for a cool effect.
3) Peace Lily
Peace lilies don’t mind water at all. You can move one from soil to water, just rinse the roots and stick it in a glass container with room-temp water.
Change the water every week or two to keep things fresh. Since there’s no soil, add a bit of liquid fertilizer each month. Try to keep the water temperature between 65°F and 85°F if you can swing it.
4) Philodendron
Philodendrons are totally up for water growing. Just snip a healthy stem, drop it in water, and roots will show up in a few weeks.
Regular water changes and a little diluted fertilizer every month or so keeps them happy. They love bright, indirect light and even help clean your air. Not a bad deal.
5) Spider Plant
Spider plants aren’t picky; they’ll grow in water as long as you keep just the roots submerged. Foliage above the waterline is key to avoid rot.
Change the water every few weeks and give them some decent light. They’re super forgiving, and perfect if you’re just dipping your toes into hydroponics.
6) Orchids
Yes, you can grow orchids in water. Phalaenopsis, Vanda, and some Dendrobiums are especially up for it. as they’re used to soaking up moisture from the air anyway.
Orchid roots need clean water and some airflow. Change the water often and don’t drown the roots! Let them breathe a bit between waterings.
7) Water Hyacinth
Water Hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) is a floating plant from the Amazon basin. It’s got shiny green leaves in a rosette and those unmistakable lavender-purple flowers.
It loves full sun and nutrient-rich water, especially in warmer zones (9-11). Those bulbous stems help it float, and it actually helps keep pond water clean by soaking up extra nutrients.
8) Coleus
Coleus is a fun pick for water growing, mostly because the leaves are just so bright and colorful. Snip a stem from a mature plant, toss it in a glass of water, and you’ll see roots in no time.
The colors range from neon green to deep purple and red. It keeps looking good even in water.
9) Monstera
Monsteras are surprisingly chill about living in water. You can root a cutting or even move a whole plant from soil if you’re feeling bold.
Just pay attention to water quality since the roots are always exposed. Switch out the water regularly and give it enough light. If you keep up with it, your monstera can stay in water for the long haul, and it looks pretty striking to boot.
10) African Violet
African violets can start in water – just take a healthy leaf and let it root. It’s a pretty easy way to get new plants going without soil.
But, they do need more than just water to bloom. Add a special liquid fertilizer for hydroponics or African violets. Eventually, you might want to move it back to soil for the best results, but it’s fun to try in water for a while.
11) Baby’s Tears
Baby’s Tears can handle life in water, but they’re a bit picky. Use a clean glass and filtered, non-chlorinated water.
Make sure two or three nodes are underwater, but keep the leaves dry. Change the water regularly to keep things from getting funky.
12) Paperwhite Narcissus
Paperwhite narcissus bulbs are ridiculously easy to grow in water, especially in winter. Set the bulbs in a vase with pebbles and water, or use a special bulb vase so the bulb sits just above the water.
These fragrant white flowers usually bloom in four to six weeks. Keep them somewhere cool (65-70°F) for the best results.
13) Lotus
Lotus plants are true water lovers. They’ll thrive in a container, pond, or even a big bowl if you give them at least six hours of sun daily.
Keep the water 6-12 inches deep and use nutrient-rich water if you can. Traditionally, they like some heavy soil or clay at the bottom, but you can experiment.
They bring those iconic blooms and leaves to water gardens, even if you don’t have room for a full pond.
14) Chinese Evergreen (Aglaonema)
Chinese Evergreen is surprisingly easy to grow in water. Just stick a stem cutting in a glass and watch roots appear in a few weeks.
It grows a bit slower than in soil, but it’s still a solid pick. Change the water every week or two to keep things healthy.
The patterned leaves are great for adding interest, and it’ll tolerate low light, so it fits just about anywhere indoors.
15) Arrowhead Plant (Syngonium)
Arrowhead plants are one of those rare houseplants that actually do well in water. The arrow-shaped leaves change as they age, which is kind of cool to watch.
Root cuttings directly in water and keep them there if you want. For the long haul, a hydroponic setup with nutrients will help them really thrive.
Syngoniums come in all sorts of colors: greens, whites, pinks, even burgundy. They’re a solid option for water culture if you keep them warm and happy.
16) English Ivy
English Ivy (Hedera helix) is pretty unfussy about growing in water. Take a 4-inch cutting, strip off the lower leaves, and stick it in clean water.
Roots pop up in about three or four weeks. It’s a forgiving plant, doesn’t mind low light, and won’t punish you for the occasional mistake.
17) English Fern
English ferns work in water as long as you keep the roots submerged and the fronds above the surface. Use a clear glass container so you can keep an eye on the roots.
Set it somewhere with bright, indirect light and maybe a bit of morning sun. Swap out the water regularly to avoid any funky buildup.
18) Mint
Mint is one herb that almost seems to prefer water. Put a cutting in a jar or glass, and you’ll have roots in no time.
Change the water every few days. It’s perfect for fresh leaves year-round, which is great for tea or garnishes. Just keep it in bright, indirect light.
19) Chives
Chives do surprisingly well in water-based setups. Start with a few cuttings in a container of fresh water and put them near a bright spot.
Switch out the water every couple of days to keep things fresh. They like it cool (60-70°F) and with steady light.
With some hydroponic nutrients, chives will keep going for years, plus, you’ll get more flavor from your harvests.
20) Basil
Basil does surprisingly well in just water, no soil needed. Just snip a cutting from the soft, green stem of a mature plant and stick it in a jar or glass of water.
The herb will develop roots in about a week or two. Remember to swap out the water every few days so things don’t get funky.
Snip leaves as you need them for cooking, and more will grow back. It’s best to keep your basil somewhere bright but out of direct, harsh sunlight (think sunny windowsill, not scorching hot spot.)
