How to Grow Houseplants in Water (2024)

Did You Know?
Plants grown hydroponically, can use up to 90% less water than those grown in pots of soil.

In many cases, houseplants can thrive in water indefinitely as long as you provide what they need to continue growing. This is called hydroponic growing and it's great because it makes for a whole different way to display your houseplants. Who doesn't like greenery in a pretty vase or bottle?

Hi, I'm Tom!

If you're like me and enjoy the challenge of growing houseplants and getting them to thrive, then Ourhouseplants can help. This website shares my knowledge and years of growing plants and provides (hopefully) helpful advice on properly caring for your indoor plant friends.

Did you know?
Some plants actually need to be grown in water completely to survive, like Marimo Moss Balls.

To avoid the extra work of having to take a plant out of its existing container (and to obtain a fully new plant for free - bonus!), my preferred option is propagation.

Tip!
This soil-less method also works for herbs. That way you get a pretty centerpiece to display and use while cooking.

Some Begonias can be propagated using just one small section of a single leaf and Dracaena stems can be cut into lots of small pieces, all of them viable.

• Start by choosing your container.
  It can be anything from a pretty vase to an old bottle. Keep in mind that if the container has a narrow neck that you might not be able to get the plant out of it once it has rooted, unless you're willing to sacrifice either the bottle or the root system, so choose wisely!
• Fill up your container.
  If your tap water is high quality you can use that; if you think it's too full of chlorine/chloramine or if has been extensively filtered (which removes all nutrients), you may want to go for bottled or even rain water instead.
• Place the plant in the container.
  You may have to stabilize the stem to avoid it from toppling over and/or new growth becoming all lopsided.
• Find a spot for your plant.
  The right location is important! New cuttings generally don't like being exposed to full sun and the water in a translucent vase can heat up quickly. Bright indirect light is better. Avoid drafts and cold: a spot that's warm (but not hot!) will give the best results.
• Be patient.
  The houseplant hobby is one that requires patience and this is no exception. You might start seeing root growth within as little as a few days if it's summertime and you chose a vigorous grower. If the plant is a slow grower and it's winter hibernation time you'll likely have to wait longer.

• Water changes.
  The plant will absorb nutrients from the water in its container. Bits of leaf or root might die off and foul the water. All this means that it's a good idea to regularly do water changes.
• Fertilizer.
  You should not be adding any sort of fertilizer to your cutting if it's still in the beginning stages of forming a root system. Later, however, you can add a few drops of liquid houseplant fertilizer whenever you do a water change. Or, even better: use pond - or aquarium water! Your plant will love the nutrients contained in fish waste.
• Algae.
  Seeing algae growth? Your plant might be getting too much light or you're overdoing it on the fertilizer. While algae growth is not necessarily a problem it can be unsightly, and also difficult to remove if you can't take the plant out of its container. Luckily, covering the glass for a week or two to starve the algae from light is usually enough to get rid of it.

About the Author

Mari (Guest Post)

Mari is the author behind Houseplant Central, which is dedicated to helping houseplant lovers keep their greenery happy and healthy.

Originally from The Netherlands, she now lives in Spain, where she spends her days writing articles about plants while surrounded by her extensive houseplant collection and two noisy parakeets.