Did you know that most indoor plants can grow and thrive in water?
While that’s true, some adapt better than others. Besides, some have a specific preference for growing in water.
This is excellent news for those of us who are pressed for the time required to frequent watering but still want to incorporate the jungle into our interiors.
Therefore, in no specific order, here’s a list of suitable plants that grow in water.
Begonia (Begonia spp.)
Begonias are some of the most robust blooming plants, adding an exciting tropical flair to your interiors. You can grow them in a glass jar or a vase, ensuring the plants are not exposed to direct sunlight.
Experiment with different types of begonias to find ones that perform better in water. In my experience, wax and cane begonias tend to perform better in water conditions.
Peace Lily
Peace lily is popular as a specimen or accent in interior groupings for its deep-green glossy foliage and white blooms that are intermittent in medium lighting and long-lasting.
The plant has no specific bloom time but flowers freely and tolerates heavy shade.
Change the growing water periodically to prevent the leaves from browning.
African violet
African violets are low, compact plants with attractive dark green, thick, hairy leaves. The violet-like flowers are borne in small panicles just above the foliage.
Plants that are kept in good growing condition flower almost always continuously.
Here’s a great book that will teach you how to grow African violets that flower 365 days a year.
Chinese evergreen (Aglaonemas)
Aglaonema is an excellent choice for indoor plants, as they tolerate low light levels. There are many different varieties of aglaonema, with beautiful colors and textures.
Whether you are looking for a red, silver, white, or green aglaonema, there is a perfect variety for you to grow in a water vase.
Pothos
One of the things I love about the Pothos plant is that it is a very easy and low-maintenance indoor houseplant.
The plant can grow and thrive in a water-filled bottle (alone for a reasonable period) with frequent water refills or complete water changes.
Spider Plant
The Chlorophytum comosum, known as the spider plant, is a commonly chosen houseplant. These evergreen tropical plants are African natives and besties with rookie gardeners because of their easy maintenance.
To grow the spider plant, use demineralized water or let your tap water sit for a day before placing the plantlet in the liquid. Fill a jar or glass with this non-chlorinated water and set the cutting into the container with the bulk of its leaves outside the liquid.
Arrowhead
Arrowhead is a perennial that is often grown indoors as an annual. It is desired in interior settings for its low-maintenance, green or variegated, long-petioled leaves and bush-like habit with some cascading stems.
The plant prefers rainwater, but tap water that has settled for a day or two can also do the trick.
Dumbcane (Dieffenbachia)
Dumbcane is prized for its attractive foliage and ability to tolerate low light intensities. You can easily propagate the plants from stem cuttings and let them grow in a jar full of water.
The exposed roots seen through the water add to its beauty!
Lucky Bamboo
Lucky bamboo is not really bamboo.
It’s a popular houseplant outside the tropical zone and performs well in containers with partial shade outdoors or bright but indirect light indoors.
The plant requires a moist potting mix or can be grown in chlorine-free water. Change the water weekly and provide a weak liquid fertilizer.
Mini Monstera (Rhaphidophora tetrasperma)
While the traditional monstera (Monstera deliciosa) is a favorite for most plant lovers, it’s not adaptable to growing in water. This is because it can grow into a giant.
Instead, you can opt for a mini monstera (Rhaphidophora tetrasperma).
Like its larger lookalike, mini monsteras have similar eye-catching slits and smooth, bright, and shiny leaves. Despite the uncanny resemblance, this smaller version of the larger plant is only a distant relative.
Geranium
Pelargoniums (common geranium) are colorful summer-flowering plants popular for hanging baskets, pots, and garden beds. Drought- and heat-tolerant, these tender annuals can bloom all summer from June through fall frost!
If you’re looking for the best geranium types to grow in water, go for those with compact growth. They will give you the best chance to succeed.
Coleus
This plant is native to the tropics of Asia but grows well in just about any environment, including water.
Unlike most annuals, coleus cultivars are grown for their foliage, not flowers. They have a wide variety of leaf shapes, sizes, and colors.
Philodendron
Philodendrons do exceptionally well in average household temperatures and humidity levels.
Most importantly, their solid dark green leaves on twining vines make them excellent for shelf plants, especially when grown in water.
Conclusion
While this list of plants that grow in water is nowhere near complete, it’s a good starting point. Besides, I’d like to point out that plain water doesn’t have the necessary nutrients to support plants indefinitely – at some point, the plants will require more than the water.
Secondly, the water will likely become contaminated after growing for a while. Therefore, it’s wise to change frequently.
Lastly, in the long run, they’ll require a proper medium unless you grow them hydroponically or they’re predominantly aquatic plants.
I hope you’ve found this list helpful. It also includes a few pointers on caring for your indoor plants.