If you love greenery in the outdoor or indoor space, growing plants should be the top priority. Plants can grow in soil or water without hassle, but if you are amongst those who tend to forget the watering schedule, leading to the death of plants, plants that grow in water will prove to be the best option for indoor and outdoor gardens. In this article, we’ve mentioned plants that grow in water.
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Advantages Of Hydroponics Over Traditional Soil-Based Cultivation
Less care
Plants that grow in water require less care with watering as compared to conventional soil-based cultivation. If you forget the watering schedule or over water the plants, this is the best possible option.
No mess to wind up
Plants that grow in water, when kept on the table or plant stand, have soil spilled here and there, especially if you have a cute feline friend at home digging soil in the planter. With plants that grow in water, there’s hardly any mess.
Pest free
Pests like fungi lay eggs in the soil, with larvae that live on the soil creating problems. Growing plants in water means pest-free gardening.
Option to grow plants from plants
The stems of many tropical plants that grow in water produce roots which you may put in a potted planter with soil or continue with the water. Isn’t it a good idea?
Add visual interest
Stems of indoor water plants in a transparent vase and glass look amazingly beautiful, adding visual appeal to the indoor garden.
Points To Consider Before Growing Plants In Water
Proper light: Make sure the plant is away from direct sunlight, or else the aquatic plants will burn.
Sufficient fertilising: Make sure the plants get enough fertilisers for robust growth because, unlike soil, where the plants get nutrients from the soil, plants that grow in water are dependent on you.
Consistent temperature: Keep plants in vases at a place where they get the perfect temperature (neither too cold nor too warm).
Change water weekly: Algae develops in aquatic plants, so change water weekly, but with room temperature water.
Use good quality water: Use water with no chlorine, which suits aquatic plants.
Various Types Of Aquatic Plants
Spider plant
This is an easy-maintenance plant that adds charm to the indoor environment with its pale green foliage. You can keep it on a shelf or mount it on a wall for a beautiful display. It cascades over other plants in the house kept nearby.
Tips
- Need bright indirect sunlight
- East facing wall suits the best
Philodendron
A perfect aquatic plant that develops roots within no time, spreading its beauty with its deep green heart shaped leaves making a focal point.
Tips
- Keep it a place where it gets bright indirect sunlight
- Make sure the water in the container doesn’t get too hot
English Ivy
These are low-maintenance climbing plants that grow in water mainly used to cover the walls and create a dense cover for the ground. There are a variety of ivy colours available.
Tips
- Ensure there’s enough space in the surrounding area because ivy chokes out other plants due to its invasive feature.
- Cut the stem where it is green.
Split leaf philodendron
It is a popular choice for houseplants that grow in water in large vases with colourful pebbles. It looks beautiful, with large green foliage and strong roots. It is a low-maintenance aquatic plant.
Tips
- Place it where it gets sufficient light.
- Avoid direct sunlight
- Ensure it gets humidity to keep pests away.
Monster plant
Another fantastic houseplant that happily converts to water and survives is a monster plant. The delicious monster looks absolutely gorgeous, especially when kept in a large vase, whether kept in the office or at home.
Tips
- Choose a large vase to keep the root ball of the plant.
- While transferring the roots to the water, remove all the potting soil from the roots to avoid the transfer of bacteria into the water.
Pothos
This is another gorgeous aquatic plants that grow in water and fits well in any type of container (hanging, tabletop or shelf). There are different pothos varieties to choose from, such as golden Pothos, marble queen pothos, pothos pictus and silver splash, that grow fast, making it a loved plant.
Tips
- Good adaptability to water
- Grows well in all light conditions
Chinese evergreen
Another fantastic option to grow plants in water is available in various leaf shapes, patterns and colours that add to the interior decor of home and office, wherever it is kept.
Tips
- Try using rainwater or distilled water that contains less chlorine for its robust growth.
- Keep it at a place where it receives bright light.
- It should get an even temperature.
Arrowhead plant
This is an easy-maintenance aquatic plant that spreads beauty with its colourful forms and trailing habits, adding tropical charm to the home decor.
Tips
- Grows well in all lighting conditions except for complete darkness
- For proper growth, keep it where it remains warm
Bamboo
Lucky bamboo is one of the most preferred choices because it is believed to bring prosperity and good luck. It also adds elegance and charm wherever kept. It is easy to care for and a simple look plant.
Tips
- Keep it in a vase with pebbles to maintain its upright position
- Grows robust in bright light but survives in lower light conditions
- It needs water to submerge the roots, so avoid adding too much water to prevent the rotting of the roots
Prayer plant
It is one of the less fussy plants that have attractive foliage that adds a pop of charm and elegance to a tabletop or wall-mounted display.
Tips
- It requires rainwater or distilled water, just like Chinese evergreens.
- Keep it in a brightly lit zone, ideally on a bright bathroom or well-lit kitchen sill
- Fertilise it less frequently
Begonia
It’s a delightful houseplant due to its leaf shapes and beautiful colours. It is a perfect choice to grow in water. It creates a jungle feel to the interior home decor.
Tips
- It requires bright filtered light for strong growth
- It needs humidity for perfect growth, so place it near a bright bathroom
Best Containers For Plants That Grow In Water
- Vase
- Jar
- Glass
- Test tubes
- Wall vase
How To Set Up Your Water Garden
- Select the plant that grows perfectly well in the water
- Start with fresh stem or leaf-cutting
- Cut the stem below the leaf node
- Make sure there’s no leaf underwater
- Put the stem or leaf in the rainwater or distilled water
- Put the vase or container in a place with indirect bright light
Water Propagation Techniques
Step-by-step guide to water propagation
- Select a healthy plant to propagate
- Cut a strand with few leaves along with a node at the end of the stem
- Using a clean and sharp knife, cut below the node at a proper angle
- The next step is to submerge the node into the water.
- Fill the container with distilled water and put the plant into its new home.
Common Mistakes To Avoid During Water Propagation
- Select the right plants
- Choose the right container
- Change water frequently, else it would lead to plant rotting and weak root growth
- Remove excess soil from the stem to prevent fungal growth
- Don’t keep it in the wrong place because plants require sufficient light for robust growth
Conclusion
Growing plants in water is an interesting way to add decor elements to the indoor area without hassle. It involves minimal time and budget, and the result is mesmerising. All you have to do is follow a few tips before selecting the plant, get a container and get started.
FAQs
How to make indoor plants grow faster?
Indoor plants grow faster in a conducive environment with proper sunlight, distilled water for proper growth and regular changing of water.
What plants can I grow in water in Australia?
Plants that grow in water are Pothos, bamboo plants, spider plants, prayer plants, begonia, Chinese evergreen and many more. It these can grow well in water with proper care.
Can Lavender grow in water?
Yes, Lavender can grow in water following the same steps followed for other aquatic plants.
