Here are some awesome Indoor Plants that Grow in Water without the mess of soil. You can grow them in clear vases and jars to use as a centerpiece!
If you are looking forward to having houseplants that grow without soil, then you have landed at the right place! Here are some interesting Indoor Plants that Grow in Water.
Check out the best edibles you can regrow in the water here
Indoor Plants that Grow in Water
1. Philodendron
Botanical Name: Philodendron
Of all the philodendron species, the heart-leaf philodendron is quite adaptable for growing in water. Keep a 6 inches long cutting in a clear glass jar or bowl in a location with bright indirect light. Don’t forget to change the water once in 3-4 days, and it’ll keep growing.
2. Lucky Bamboo
Botanical Name: Dracaena sanderiana
Famous for its forgiving nature, the lucky bamboo is one of the best indoor plants that grow in water. Narrow vases are perfect for this plant, depending on the size.
Make sure the roots are submerged in the water, and add some gravel around them for firm placement.
3. Pothos
Botanical Name: Epipremnum aureum
With its glossy heart-shaped foliage, pothos is one more option to go for. Grow it in water, in a clear fishbowl or vase and keep that on a shelf; cascading pothos leaves will look wonderful. Keep changing the water every few days to maintain the right oxygen level.
4. Chinese Evergreen & Dumbcane
Botanical Name: Aglaonema & Dieffenbachia
With variegated and leathery leaves having a silvery pattern, the dumb cane and Chinese evergreen plants can be grown in water. You can easily propagate the cuttings in a transparent vase filled with small aquarium rocks.
5. Spider Plant
Botanical Name: Chlorophytum comosum
Spider plants look quite interesting with their narrow arching foliage and baby spiderettes. You can either grow them permanently in a glass jar or change the cuttings into a new pot once they root. Keep changing the water every 2-3 days.
6. Arrowhead Plant
Botanical Name: Syngonium podophyllum
Like other climbers and vining plants, the arrowhead plant is pretty straightforward to grow indoors in water. Keep adding fresh water twice a week, and it’ll keep on growing. If you like, transplant it into potting soil once the cutting sets new roots.
7. Coleus
Botanical Name: Plectranthus scutellarioides
Having colorful and serrated leaves, coleus will be the most colorful addition to glasses and jars. Since it likes indirect light, you can keep it as a tabletop centerpiece in a wine glass or decorative mason jar filled with water.
Tip: Adding compost tea to the water will enhance their growth.
8. Wandering Jew
Botanical Name: Tradescantia pallida
Wandering jews are tough plants that grow like a weed in warm climates. The astonishing purple-colored and variegated varieties make them desirable houseplants.The best part is you can grow them in water in terrariums.
9. Dracaena
Botanical Name: Dracaena
Many indoor dracaena varieties can adapt to growing in water. Glass jugs and narrow jars are good for them. Just remember to use chlorine and fluoride-free water.
Also, never let the water in the jar become mushy and unclear, and keep changing it two to three times a week.
10. Croton
Botanical Name: Codiaeum variegatum
Croton has the boldest foliage in all the houseplants, we also added it to our list of houseplants for kid’s rooms. While it may not grow permanently in water but you can use this method to root its cuttings.
11. Impatiens
Botanical Name: Impatiens walleriana
Impatiens can grow in water for quite a long time. Remove all the lower leaves and submerge their cut ends in water. Once they form long roots, transplant them into pots. This way, more new impatiens will be ready in the nick of time.
12. Begonia
Botanical Name: Begonia
Like impatiens, growing begonias in water is also possible. You can keep them in a clear bowl for around two months before they start to fade.
Don’t forget to change the water every week to save the begonia cuttings from rotting. It is one of the best Indoor Plants that Grow in Water.
13. Paperwhite
Botanical Name: Narcissus papyraceus
You can grow paperwhite narcissus bulbs in water and force them to flower easily. For this, get a glass terrarium and fill one-quarter of it with seashells and gravels. Now arrange the bulbs closely and cover half of them with these gravels to fix them at their spot.
After this, fill the terrarium with water, up to the base of bulbs but in a way that it’s not wetting them. That’s it, keep them at a bright spot, and they’ll start blooming after 4-5 weeks. It is one of the best Indoor Plants that Grow in Water.
14. Ornamental Sweet Potato
Botanical Name: Ipomoea batatas
Ornamental sweet potato vine in a glass jar will add a tropical touch to your kitchen windowsill. Trim a few 6 to 8 inches long stems just below the leaf node, remove the lower leaves and submerge them half in water. Keep changing the water, and it’ll grow.
15. English Ivy
Botanical Name: Hedera helix
English ivy can be your next indoor water garden plant. You can grow its cuttings in vases for a long time.
Snip all the bottom leaves of an ivy stem and transfer them into a glass jar and enjoy it on a bright windowsill.
16. Caladium
Botanical Name: Caladium
Growing caladium in water is quite easy. Keep the water-grown plant on desks, dining tables, and tabletops for a stylish look.
17. Alocasia
Botanical Name: Alocasia zebrina
You can grow alocasia in glass jars filled with clean water by separating the clumps and offsets from a disinfected knife. Read details here.
18. Ti Plant
Botanical Name: Cordyline
Take a 5-8 inches long cutting from a healthy plant, remove the bottom foliage, and put it in a clean vase or jar filled with water. You can find more details in this post.
19. Sweetheart Hoya
Botanical Name: Hoya kerrii
Hoya can be easily grown in a glass of clean water with cutting in an area where it receives bright, indirect light. It is one of the best Indoor Plants that Grow in Water.
20. Moth Orchid
Botanical Name: Phalaenopsis spp.
This beautiful houseplant grows well in water, place colorful pebbles in the bottom to provide support for roots.
21. Prayer Plant
Botanical Name: Maranta leuconeura
You can grow prayer plants in water from cuttings; the deep green leaves with red veins look adorable in glass jars. It is one of the best Indoor Plants that Grow in Water.
22. Aluminum Plant
Botanical Name: Pilea cadierei
Pilea cadierei shows off variegated gray-green foliage that looks more beautiful in glass jars filled with clean water. Keep your water-grown plants in medium to low light.
23. Chinese Money Plant
Botanical Name: Pilea peperomioides
The beautiful round leaves of the Chinese Money Plant look adorable in vases. Keep it where it gets plenty of bright light. It is one of the best Indoor Plants that Grow in Water.
24. Monstera
Botanical Name: Monstera deliciosa
Growing and flourishing it in water is possible if you are ready to take the right care of it! The plant looks quite stunning with its large and serrated foliage.
25. Mint
Botanical Name: Mentha
Growing mint in water will ensure that you have a regular supply for your kitchen. What’s more, simply crush a few leaves to have an instant room freshener!
26. African Violet
Botanical Name: Saintpaulia ionantha
To propagate new African violet plants, select fresh and robust leaves. Cut the leaf, leaving approximately two inches of stem, and insert it into a bottle with a narrow neck. The bottle should keep the leaf suspended and dry.
After around a month, roots will develop. Eventually, a small plantlet will emerge with its own crown.
27. Baby’s Tears
Botanical Name: Soleirolia soleirolii
You can easily propagate baby’s tears plants by pinching off a cluster of stems, with or without roots, and placing them in water.
To prevent any rotting, make sure to change the water in the container every week and remove any leaves floating in the water.
Once the roots are well-formed and deliver moisture to the plant, you can allow the water level to drop slightly.
28. Peace Lily
Botanical Name: Spathiphyllum spp.
To propagate, remove the plant from its pot and clean the roots with running water. Submerge the plant in water, making sure that only the roots are underwater.
Keep an eye on the water level and replace it as necessary. It’s recommended to completely change the water every two weeks to keep the plant healthy.
29. Lotus
Botanical Name: Nelumbo spp.
You can mimic the natural growing method of the lotus plant by growing a dwarf lotus in a shallow bowl filled with pea gravel to anchor the rhizome below the water’s surface, with the stem extending above it.
A dwarf lotus can thrive in bright, full sun as long as the temperature stays above 32°F (0°C). Temperatures below freezing can be fatal to the plant.
30. Fiddle Leaf Fig
Botanical Name: Ficus lyrata
The fiddle leaf fig is a tropical plant that thrives in warm and moist conditions, making it an ideal choice for a soilless vase.
For optimal growth, the fiddle leaf fig requires bright, filtered sunlight and should be rotated every few days to ensure even exposure of its leaves to the light.
31. Basil
Botanical Name: Ocimum basilicum
Did you know you could grow basil in water and relish it whenever you want? Just take a few cuttings that are 3-4 inches long and get rid of the bottom leaves. Put these in a water vase near a sunny windowsill, and they will start growing in a couple of weeks.
32. Zebra Plant
Botanical Name: Aphelandra squarrosa
These plants are not commonly grown in water, but they certainly can be. Plus, their dark green leaves with white veins look really pretty in clear vessels filled with water. Just make sure you change the water every 3-4 days.
Well, I had never even heard of basically all of these except for coleus… and I had no idea coleus could be grown in water like that! Neat!
Yes , coleus can be grown in water for sure , you can keep a small cutting in a glass and see the roots will comes within 10 days .
I tried but the shoot got rot
I also tried coleus in water but died
Can I try again ? What about peace lily ? Can be grown in water ? Can please any one who tried advice me I want to put my peace lily in water can I ??
Hi. I grew a peace lily in water for almost 20 years and before it passed on, it gave me a bloom. Remove a piece of the plant from the dirt. clean as much dirt off as possible, then run under tepid water for the rest. Let it rest for at least 24 hours before putting it in water. If using tap water, let it sit for at least 24 hours before using to get rid of chemicals. Fill your clear container with rocks or marbles. Make sure that only the roots are in the water. Keep the water topped off. when water gets cloudy, remove plant, rinse roots and thoroughly clean container and rocks. You can use liquid miracle grow to fertilize maybe twice a year. Indirect light. Hope that helps.
Peace lilies will grow in water. I work at a garden center, my boss has one in water for 15 years!
I currently have a variegated peace lily growing 8n water at home.
Yes PeaceLily can grow in water or leca balls, if planned for transplant from soil to water or leca balls it’s simple. Just remove the soil, clean the organic matters in the roots then place the plantbin only water or leca balls
Yes you can
My search for indoor water plants is complete..Thankyou for this great article. Helps a lot
Amazing to that even plants like mints grow in water. Let me try that. Thanks for sharing!
Wandering Jew is antisemitic name for the plant you asshat. Look up the correct name and learn an important lesson.
That is what it has been called for many decades. How rude you are to call someone that because a plant had been called that for decades.
It’s a christian insult to Jews. Part of the Jesus myth where the story goes a Jew was cursed by christians to wander the earth forever.
Jesusis not a myth
HA
Its very easy to sit back and call names rather than educating someone with the right terminology (provided You know what it is called!!). I love that you are smart enough to know better but only show your bright brain through rude words. Keep it up!
you sure are an asshole yourself. How dare you call someone by name just for calling a plant differently. Go to hell and don’t visit pages like this if you want to be a pain in the ass, you moron
You are soooo funny
Get over yourself. Anyone with an ounce of intelligence knows that it is an old term for the plant and is not intended to insult so why be insulted. Stop speaking for a group of people who are smart enough to not be insulted by such silly things. When is this over the top pc crap going to end? Your certainly not helping anything
Thanks Tommy power to you and thanks to the other higher frequency beings who also get it. Have a wonderful day 💖
I’m Jewish and not insulted by it. It is an ode to our history, not to mention, we wander no more!
The guy calling everyone an asshat is making us look bad. He has ruined the energy of this forum and possibly the evening.
How come no one complains about the English Ivy? :-)
never in history has ‘English’ been derogatory towards anyone. that’s why. also, in response to everyone saying our friend here should do the educating, nope. it is your responsibility to educate yourself. do the work. when someone tells you something is inappropriate, the response should always be “yes, ok, i will do better”. any other response is simply heartless.
What is offensive? Jew? Wandering? Silliness.
I’m Jewish and I call myself ‘a jew’ all the time, so do my friends when asking questions about my faith/cultural back ground etc.
‘Queer’ was once an offensive term. It is now embraced as a culture of people.
Let’s move on people. I am a Jew and if anyone refers to me as that, they’re on the money.
Overly sensitive bullshit is all I’m seeing in these messages.
It’s been a common name for years. We are still in the process of changing the name. The proper name is scientific and many people don’t know it. “Inch plant” is a newer common name. Try to be more understanding, ass hat
Fuck off if you don’t know how to be wise and smart enough to know better!!
Much better ways to educate someone than to go straight into an insult. But you are right, the origin of the “wandering jew” is anti-Semitic, it started from an apocryphal myth that has been used to justify anti-Semitism. For everyone saying its been called that for decades and insulting back is as rude as the original commenter. You can change the name of a plant, its a plant. And “wandering jew” isn’t even the scientific name. It’s a Tradescantia. There’s way too many historical baggage (a really horrible one too) to be comfortable calling it as it was nicknamed. If you feel so strongly because a plant was called “wandering jew” (remember its a derogatory phrase) and other people are saying not to use that phrase anymore (because it is a derogatory phrase) then that’s on you. People may correct you or they won’t, but don’t be surprised if you get told not to call the plant by that *derogatory phrase*. And lets try not to insult each other whether its to educate or to have a rebuttal.
Thanks, interesting background info and good to know. I will call it tradescantia from now on
Thank you Lyn. We could remove every oher comment and just have yours. Is informative and will actually help create change.
Now theres a real lesson
Someone needs a hug
So, let me get this straight…you are being offensive towards some because they are unknowingly being offensive? Being a rude bully is not how you make the world a better place. Grow up and don’t hurt yourself when you climb off your high horse.
🙄🤨
That’s been the name since I have been around 60 years!!! And, if you were able to see, both the species name was added below each photo, as well. B
I have orchids in water now for nearly 2 weeks and doing fine.
I have coleus outside and I will snipe some and put them in water.
I love seeing plants growing in water.
How is your orchid going in the water?
I have a peace lily and white Anthurium , the Anthurium is doing really well and flowering, the peace lily flowers but the flowers don’t turn white just come out green. It may need fertilizer, I made my own as I struggle to find a clear fertilizer for the glass bowl anything with seaweed makes the water brown :(
I use rain water for mine , is that what you do for the Orchid?
There’s ways of wording responses & comments about a website without being rude or looking like a twat. Lovely article. I enjoyed this and it’s been very helpful
But the uneducated and lower class is not interested in those “ways”.
Crass is their typical MO and that’s the only way they know how to communicate
Oh no! Another “woke” idiot. They have been called Wandering Jews for decades!. Look it up!
That is what I was taught the name was all my life is a wandering Jews. I have grown house plants and outside plants for many year’s.
what in the world are you saying, you inane drone? who the hell are you talking to when you refer to lower class Me thinks you are the lowest of class of any human being actually you are a horror of a human HAAAHAAA!!!!!
UM, the uneducated lower classes?? Excuse you?
I agree with you
Thank you very much for this helpful and informative article.
Please help me, I have put some water loving plants in a vase, but there is an odor that is not so nice just after one an a half week. What can I do to rectify this?
Change the water frequently, perhaps?….you should never let the water get older than 2 to 3 days in transparent vases (clear glass, crystal and the like), perhaps 5 days in opaque ones (ceramic, metal etc..)
I agree! Try keeping the water changed weekly… also something I like to do with mine…every couple of weeks while changing the water ,I like to gently rinse and clean the roots.. nothing aggressive or time consuming. I use room temperature water and just run them underneath For a few seconds and that’s it. I find it keeps the roots healthy and free of any slimy debris. I would suggest if you do try this and it seems to Affect your plant in any negative way to stop. It’s something that works for me end it also helps prolong the clean water for a day or two… just something you could try that works for me..good luck
drop a little piece of charcoal in the water
My God! People are so touchy🙄 It’s known as wandering Jew
I prefer to call them ‘drunken catholics’. Great article and will be attempting these soon! Thank 3!
I like that idea…Drunken Catholics. I am a Catholic, and can see the humour in that name!
Correct google and other search engines as well as plant id apps for calling it wandering jew. Also like english ivy, chinese evergreen, ceblue pothos. French fries and so on and so on.
Love this article. Very helpful. Thank you.
Can you just take a plant out of soil and repot in water or is there a transition phase?
Yes, i did it with my cupida peace lily and (flamingo flower) anthurium. I cleaned the roots (removed the soil by gentle brushing) before putting it in crystal vase 😊 Very beautiful
I have worked with a horticulturist for years. They are known as wandering jew and they have no disrespect attached. I know some of the technical names for plants but I don’t use them because nobody knows what they are. Also, there are several unofficial names for plants. Older people call them something different than the young customers. Saying low class and uneducated people say wandering jew is incorrect. The horticulturist I work with has a 4 year degree from a university and 50 years experience and attended technical school, also. People should not be so anxious to label other people as ignorant. It may not be the other people who are misinformed.
The picture you put in Begonia is Peperomia.
I think you have the Pothos and Philodendron pictures switched.
I remember my Mom calling the plant babes in a boat. Has anyone heard this before? Or is it a different plant I’m thinking of?
Moses in the cradle
It’s a Wandering Jew, don’t change the name of it and don’t change your behaviour just because some half wit gets offended. I’m Jewish myself and you would have to be quite retarded if you believe this is an insult or antisemitic!
I love that you managed to be doubly offensive in one comment. Some people now call it ‘Wandering Dude’ to get around the antisemitic connotations… but also ‘retard’ is a medical term which has been turned into a slur… it’s pretty offensive to people with mental disabilities so best you avoid that one too.
Hail Edgar thankyou… I just wanted to read about plants and I was saddened to read all the other unnecessary crap.
Anyhow I’m going to cut some beautiful plants and fill them in beautiful bottles namaste!
Walk away is what I do when I am uncomfortable. Silence…speaks loudly. Plants have always given me peace. They are unique and form different combinations to grow together. Silent inspiration for all of us. Do what gives you peace…may it reveal your power…fuel your purpose and steer you to your people. May we all keep growing.
Thankyou xx
I have Wandering Jew Tradescantia and Purple Heart Tradescantia, I let people know they are both Tradescantia and how the leaves are different. It is not antisemitic.
Thanks for the wonderful article on what plants to keep in water.
All this bickering over the name of a flower and what it is called is a shame. Maybe I’m wrong, but I have always heard it called “Wandering Dew” not “Wandering Jew”. Google it. Maybe we can all agree to call it by the 1st name.
Thanks for your beautiful confirmation ..love and light
Hi! I really loved this article. I have been potting my plants in LECA and lechuza and have been searching for a list of plants that will hopefully grow successfully in these media. Thank you so much!
Well I was having an interesting read but been absolutely turned off by the thread of comments following some moron or are these people called trolls….FFS ALL I wanted was😖 to find out about what sort of plants grow in water and I have to read this ongoing garbage. Clearly some of us do get it and fuck I’m so glad I work on a higher frequency!!!! I’m no racist either, I have a part aboriginal daughter and my partner is of Iraqi descent but born in Sydney…. Jesus. I’d wished I read something else when I opened my eyes. Fuck, some human beings piss me off immensely. It’s disturbing people like you are allowed to breed. No wonder the world is fucked…don’t worry about covid…as maybe people will be so sick of these timewasters they’ll choose end of life choices 🥱🥱🥱🙄🙄🙄😩😩😩😩😩
I don’t give a shit if its wandering Jew or wandering ass holes, coming around causing drama because they woke up on the wrong side of the bed.
She didn’t name the plant wandering Jews, so if you want to change the name, go change it yourself and see if you can change millions of heads who know the plant as wandering Jews.
We can’t breath without racism waving in our faces.
Thank you so much for the wonderful article. I was looking for these plants for my indoor fountain.
Appreciate the time taken to write for us “free knowledge”
Thank you for the lovely article !
My bamboo had done great for years, now all 4 containers are turning yellow. I rinsed all very good, all in different rooms, etc. tried bamboo fertilizer drops. Had to throw away 3 out of 4, why did this happen?
It is not inconvenient to learn something new. Is there truth to the term being antisemitic? If there is, then kindness is easy.
This informative article was about plants, not people. I appreciate the effort put into research and writing. Thank you.
Do I have to keep changing the water or can I just keep adding to it? It’s up high and in a heavy jar… much easier to just add to it… or does that not matter as long as it is getting new water added.