10 Water Flowers that Grow in Containers and Vases

Stephanie is a Senior Horticulturist specializing in tropical plants, succulents, and herbs. She combines her love of plants and words to create informative and engaging content for readers.
Learn About Our Editorial Policy

2-Minute Read

Would you believe there are Water Flowers that Grow in Containers and Vases? You can grow them in pots and decorative terrariums without having a pond.

If you love growing flowering plants and want to try something unique, these aquatic flowers can be your pick.


Water Flowers that Grow in Containers and Vases

1. Water Hyacinth

Water Flowers that Grow in Containers and Vases 1

Botanical Name: Eichhornia crassipes

Water hyacinth is a beautiful floating plant that drifts on the surface of the water. This invasive plant features a rosette of glossy green leaves attached to a spongy stem and feathery roots suspended in the water below the plant.

It produces purple color flowers and grows in USDA Zones 8b-11. You can also grow it indoors in a vase or small container without drainage holes.

2. Caribbean Spider Lily

Botanical Name: Hymenocallis caribaea

The elegant pure white vanilla fragrant flowers open up in shape similar to huge spiders. It blossoms summer and fall. This plant does well in full sun to partial shade. You can start its bulbs in the water!

3. Iris

Water Flowers that Grow in Containers and Vases 3

Botanical Name: Iris

This semi-aquatic indoor plant favors shallow water that adequately covers its crown. You can grow it in any type of decorative container, and it’ll look good.

4. Tulips

Grow Indoor Plant Containers and Vases

Botanical Name: Tulipa

Tulip bulbs can also be grown in the water by choosing healthy, large, firm bulbs. You can use our article on growing bulbs in water as guidance.

Fill a tall, clear vase with a small amount of water, and place some pebbles in the bottom. Keep water 1/4 to 1/2 inches from the bulb bottoms; never allow the water to touch the bulbs.

5. Hyacinth

Botanical Name: Hyacinthus orientalis

You can grow hyacinth bulbs in a water-filled transparent vase. Just make sure that you are submerging the bulbs in a way that the water is not touching them directly. The process is the same as tulips.

6. Amaryllis

Grow Indoor Plant Containers and Vases 3

Botanical Name: Amaryllidaceae

Amaryllis is a bulbous ornamental plant that can be grown in the water without soil. Place some pebbles in the jar to keep the bulb in a stable position.

7. Water Snowflake

Water Snowflake in mini pond

Botanical Name: Nymphoides indica ‘Water Snowflake’

Water Snowflake is a member of the water lily family. This mini variety features small leaves and blooms that resemble snowflakes floating on the water. You can easily grow in small to medium-sized, wide pots.

8. Perry’s Baby Red

Perry's Baby Red flower in pond

Botanical Name: Nymphaea ‘Perry’s Baby Red’

‘Perry’s Baby Red’ is a lovely variety that displays scented red double-blooms with ornamental pads. This small aquatic plant is best for terrariums and vases in the initial stage, and later, you can transfer it to a small water garden or in a container.

9. Miniature Yellow Waterlily

Miniature Yellow Waterlily Flowers in mini pond

Botanical Name: Nymphaea ‘Pygmaea Helvola’

‘Helvola’ offers upward-curving yellow-petaled, cup-shaped flowers and round green leaves. The plant does well in a 15-18 inches container. It flowers continuously from summer to fall.

10. Lotus

Lotus in Container Pond

Botanical Name: Nelumbo nucifera

Growing lotus in a medium-sized container is possible. You can start it in big tubs and half barrels. Just make sure that you line up the bottom with 3-5 inches of soil so that the tuber stays buried while the flower floats atop the water.

You can learn more about growing lotus in small pots and the best varieties in this post!


Watch this video for more information

Recent Posts

Join our 3 Million Followers:

2.6MFollowers
300kFans
69kSubscribers

Related Articles

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here