At a glance
- Grow indefinitely in water: Pothos, lucky bamboo, Chinese evergreen, peace lily, spider plant spiderettes, tradescantia, coleus
- Root in water, then pot: Basil, mint, rosemary, begonia, impatiens
- Change water: Every 1 to 2 weeks to prevent stagnation
- Add nutrients: A few drops of liquid fertilizer every 2 to 4 weeks after the first 2 months
- Prevent algae: Use opaque vases; keep out of direct sun
Two categories: permanent and temporary water growers
Not all plants that root in water can live there permanently. Some houseplants, like pothos and lucky bamboo, genuinely thrive in water indefinitely and develop root systems adapted to aquatic conditions. Others, like basil and begonia, root readily in water but are only rooting temporarily before they need to be moved to soil to grow and mature properly.
Understanding this distinction saves frustration. A permanent water grower will produce new leaves and steady growth in a vase for months or years. A temporary rooter will root successfully, then stall, yellow, and eventually decline if never potted up.
Plants that grow permanently in water
Pothos (Epipremnum aureum)
Pothos is the most popular plant for water growing, and for good reason. Stem cuttings with nodes root within 2 to 4 weeks and then continue growing indefinitely in water. The plant develops water-adapted roots that look white and slightly translucent, quite different from soil roots. New leaves continue to emerge from the vine as long as the plant gets adequate light.
Change the water every 1 to 2 weeks. Keep leaves above the waterline; only the stem and roots should be submerged. Bright indirect light produces the fastest growth. After 2 to 3 months, begin adding a few drops of liquid fertilizer to each water change to supply the nutrients that water cannot provide on its own. Toxic to cats and dogs.
Lucky Bamboo (Dracaena sanderiana)
Lucky bamboo is not actually bamboo, but a species of Dracaena sold in decorative water arrangements. It is one of the most common examples of a plant sold specifically for water growing. The stalks sit in a container of water with pebbles for support. It tolerates low to medium indirect light and grows slowly and steadily.
Use filtered or distilled water; lucky bamboo is sensitive to the fluoride and chlorine in tap water, which causes yellow and brown tips. Change the water every 1 to 2 weeks. Add a very small amount of liquid fertilizer every 4 to 6 weeks. Non-toxic to humans; mildly toxic to cats and dogs.
Chinese Evergreen (Aglaonema)
Chinese evergreen roots readily in water and can live there long-term. The colorful, patterned leaves of pink, red, and green varieties make it a striking addition to a water display. It tolerates low to medium light well. Change water weekly and add diluted fertilizer monthly once established.
Toxic to cats, dogs, and humans (calcium oxalate crystals).
Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum)
Peace lilies are frequently sold growing in water-filled vases, often with a betta fish below. They can live in water long-term if the roots are not submerged but instead rest above the water surface while the tips reach down into it, or if the crown of the plant is kept above the waterline with pebbles for support. Full submersion of the crown causes rot.
In water, peace lilies still produce their white spathe flowers given adequate indirect light. Toxic to cats, dogs, and humans.
Tradescantia (Spiderwort)
Tradescantia cuttings root within a week in water and continue growing indefinitely. The striking purple or silver-striped leaves look beautiful in a glass vase, and the stems branch and trail as they grow. This is one of the fastest-growing water plants. Change water weekly. Add fertilizer monthly. Mildly irritating to pets.
Spider Plant Spiderettes
The small spiderette plantlets that hang from spider plant runners can be rooted and grown in water. Place a spiderette (with its small tuber visible at the base) in a glass of water so the tuber is submerged but the leaves are above the water. It roots within a week or two and can continue growing in water indefinitely. Non-toxic to cats and dogs.
Coleus
Coleus cuttings root in water in 1 to 2 weeks and can live in water long-term. The bright, colorful leaves (green, red, purple, yellow in many patterns) make for a vibrant water display. Coleus needs medium to bright indirect light to maintain its vivid colors in water. Change water every week and fertilize lightly monthly.
Plants that root in water but need soil to thrive
Basil and mint
Supermarket basil and mint stems root readily in a glass of water on a sunny windowsill in 1 to 2 weeks. They can be kept in water for several more weeks while the roots grow. However, both plants need soil nutrients and root space to grow vigorously and produce leaves for harvesting. Transfer to soil once roots are 2 to 3 inches long for the best results.
Begonia and impatiens
Stem cuttings from begonia and impatiens root reliably in water and are a popular propagation method. They root in 1 to 3 weeks. Unlike pothos, they do not adapt well to permanent water growing and will stall and decline if not moved to soil within a few months. Transfer to moist potting soil once the roots are well established.
Most herbs (rosemary, sage, thyme)
Woody herbs root in water more slowly (2 to 4 weeks) but do root. They are temporary water rooters; transfer to soil once rooted for long-term growth and to harvest from.
How to set up a water plant display
Choose the right container
Opaque or dark-colored vases are strongly preferred over clear glass. Light penetrating clear glass promotes algae growth on the roots and container walls. If you want to use clear glass for the visual effect, be prepared to scrub algae off the roots and vessel weekly. Opaque containers require much less maintenance.
The vessel should be tall enough that the stems and roots are submerged while leaves stay above the waterline. Wide-mouthed vessels allow easier access for water changes and cleaning.
Water quality
Tap water is acceptable for most water-growing plants but can cause tip browning in sensitive species like lucky bamboo due to fluoride and chlorine. Letting tap water sit overnight allows some chlorine to off-gas. Filtered or distilled water is ideal and prevents mineral buildup on the vessel walls.
Water changes and nutrients
Change the water completely every 1 to 2 weeks. Stagnant water becomes oxygen-depleted and bacterial, which causes root rot in water-growing plants just as overwatering does in soil. Rinse the vessel and the roots gently when you change the water.
After 2 to 3 months, start adding nutrients. Water provides no minerals or organic matter. A few drops of liquid hydroponic fertilizer or a very diluted general-purpose liquid fertilizer (1/4 of the recommended dose) added to the water every 2 to 4 weeks supplies what the plant needs. Without this, growth stalls and leaves yellow after the first few months.
Light
Water-growing plants need the same light they would need in soil. Pothos in low light grows slowly in water just as it does in soil. Lucky bamboo tolerates low light. Most water-growing plants do best in bright indirect light, which drives faster growth and prevents algae from sunlight hitting the water.