How To Grow Plants In Water

If you love plants but find soil messy or tricky, there’s a beautiful alternative. Learning how to grow plants in water is a clean and simple way to enjoy greenery. This method, called hydroponics or hydroculture, lets you grow many common houseplants with just water, a container, and some nutrients. It’s perfect for beginners, busy people, or anyone who wants to see those fascinating roots develop.

You can create stunning displays with just a few cuttings. It’s a project that is both easy and incredibly rewarding. Let’s get started on your water garden journey.

Growing plants in water is straightforward once you know the basics. The core idea is to support a plant’s cutting so that its nodes (the bumpy areas on the stem) are submerged. From these nodes, roots will grow into the water, drawing up the moisture and nutrients the plant needs to thrive. It’s a fascinating process to watch.

What You’ll Need to Get Started

You don’t need special equipment to begin. Most items are probably already in your home.

Plant Cuttings: Choose healthy stems from plants that root well in water.
Containers: Glass jars, vases, or bottles. Clear glass lets you watch root growth.
Water: Use room-temperature tap water. Let it sit out for a day to allow chlorine to evaporate.
Liquid Fertilizer: A balanced, water-soluble houseplant food is crucial for long-term growth.
Support (Optional): For narrow-necked vessels, you might not need it. For wider jars, use pebbles, decorative stones, or a piece of foam to hold the cutting in place.

Best Plants for Water Growth

Not all plants will root successfully in water. These are some of the most reliable and popular choices.

Pothos (Devil’s Ivy): The classic choice. It roots quickly and has beautiful trailing vines.
Philodendron: Similar to pothos, with heart-shaped leaves that are very adaptable.
Spider Plant: Its “spiderettes” or baby plants are perfect for popping into water.
Lucky Bamboo: Actually a type of Dracaena, it’s almost always sold growing in water.
Herbs: Mint, basil, and oregano can be started in water from cuttings.
Coleus: Gorgeous, colorful foliage that roots with ease.
Begonia: Many types, especially rex begonias, do well with this method.

Your Step-by-Step Guide

Follow these simple steps for the best chance of success. Patience is key, as rooting can take a few weeks.

Step 1: Take a Healthy Cutting

Select a strong stem from your parent plant. Using clean, sharp scissors or pruners, cut a section that is 4-6 inches long. Make the cut just below a leaf node. This is the small bump where leaves and roots emerge from the stem.

Step 2: Prepare the Cutting

Remove any leaves that would sit below the waterline in your container. Leaves submerged in water will rot and spoil it. You can leave a few healthy leaves at the top of the cutting for photosynthesis.

Step 3: Choose Your Container and Water

Fill your clean glass container with water. If using tap water, let it sit out overnight as mentioned earlier. The chlorine in tap water can sometimes hinder root growth if its too fresh. Place the cutting in the vessel so that the nodes are underwater but the remaining leaves are well above it.

Step 4: Find the Right Spot

Place your new water plant in a location with bright, indirect light. Avoid direct, hot sunlight, which can overheat the water and encourage algae growth. A spot near an east-facing window is often ideal.

Step 5: Ongoing Care and Maintenance

This is where many people go wrong, but it’s simple. Check the water level every few days and top it off with fresh water as needed to keep the nodes covered. Every 2-4 weeks, completely change the water to prevent stagnation and bacterial growth. When you change the water, rinse the roots gently and clean the container to remove any algae film.

Step 6: Adding Fertilizer

After roots are a couple inches long (usually after a month or so), begin adding fertilizer. Use a very diluted liquid fertilizer—about 1/4 of the strength recommended on the bottle—every time you change the water. This gives your plant the nutrients it would normally get from soil.

Troubleshooting Common Problems

Even with simple methods, small issues can arise. Here’s how to fix them.

Yellowing Leaves: This often means too much direct sun or a need for fertilizer. Move to indirect light and start a weak feeding routine.
Rotting Stem: If the stem base is mushy, it’s rotting. Remove the cutting, cut off the rotten part above a node, and place it in fresh water.
Algae Growth: Green water or slimy jar walls. This happens with too much light. Clean the jar thoroughly, use fresh water, and move to a slightly less bright location. An opaque container can also help.
Slow or No Root Growth: Some plants are just slower. Ensure the nodes are submerged, provide warmth, and be patient. You can also try a different cutting from another part of the plant.

FAQ About Growing Plants in Water

Can any plant grow in water?

No, not all plants can. Many tropical foliage plants and herbs adapt well, but most succulents, trees, and shrubs will not survive long-term in just water. It’s best to start with known water-friendly varieties.

How long can plants live in water?

With proper care—regular water changes and light fertilizing—many plants can live for years in water. Some, like pothos, can become massive, long-term water specimens. Their growth may be slower than in soil, but they can be very healthy.

Do you need to change the water?

Yes, absolutely. Changing the water every few weeks is essential. It replenishes oxygen in the water and removes waste products the plant releases, preventing rot and disease.

Why are my plant’s roots brown?

Roots in water often look darker or browner than white soil roots—this is usually normal. However, if they feel slimy or smell bad, they are rotting. Rinse them gently and remove any mushy parts with clean scissors before placing back in fresh water.

Can you transfer a water plant to soil later?

You can, but it requires care. Water roots are different from soil roots. To transition, keep the soil consistently moist (not soggy) for the first several weeks after potting to help the roots adapt. There is a risk of transplant shock, so some prefer to keep the plant in water permanently.

Starting your own hydroponic garden is a satisfying project. By following this guide, you’ll have a collection of beautiful, low-maintenance plants that grow without any soil at all. Remember to choose the right plants, give them light and fresh water, and a little nutrient boost. Before you know it, you’ll have lush greenery thriving throughout your home, all with the simplicity of water.