Growing plants in water offers a simple, mess-free way to incorporate greenery into indoor spaces and propagate new plants without the need for soil. This method, often referred to as hydroculture or hydroponics, relies on the plant’s natural ability to absorb water and nutrients directly through its roots. Many species can be successfully adapted to a purely aquatic environment, providing an aesthetically pleasing display of roots and foliage in clear vessels. This technique moves beyond the conventional potted plant to embrace a minimalist, water-centric form of cultivation.
Understanding Water-Based Growth: Hydrophytes vs. Rooted Cuttings
The ability of plants to thrive in water is categorized into two distinct groups. The first includes true aquatic plants, known as hydrophytes, which are naturally adapted to spend their entire lives fully or partially submerged. These plants have evolved specialized structures, such as aerenchyma (air channels), that allow them to obtain necessary gases and nutrients directly from the water column.
The second category involves terrestrial plants grown in water, typically as rooted stem cuttings. These plants naturally grow in soil but can develop “water roots” that are thinner and more delicate. While this is often a propagation technique, many common houseplants can be maintained in water indefinitely with proper care. Understanding this distinction is important because the long-term care and nutrient requirements differ significantly.
Popular Terrestrial Plants That Thrive Indoors in Water
Many popular vining and tropical houseplants are excellent candidates for long-term water culture indoors because they are vigorous and root easily from stem cuttings. The Pothos plant (Epipremnum aureum) is reliable, producing new roots from a submerged node and continuing to grow for years. Similarly, various species of Philodendron and the Swiss Cheese Plant (Monstera spp.) can be easily propagated and maintained in a water-only environment.
To begin, a cutting should be taken just below a node, which is where roots will form. The lower leaves must be removed to prevent them from rotting once submerged, which could contaminate the water. Plants commonly sold as “Lucky Bamboo” (Dracaena sanderiana) are actually Dracaena species that thrive in water. They are highly tolerant of low light and are among the easiest to sustain indefinitely in a simple water setup.
Plants Requiring Fully Aquatic or Marginal Environments
Certain plants require a permanently water-saturated environment for survival, often used in ponds, water gardens, or large aquariums. True free-floating hydrophytes, such as Water Hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) and Duckweed (Lemna minor), remain suspended on the water’s surface with their roots dangling freely. These plants are highly effective at absorbing nutrients, making them useful for filtration, but they can reproduce rapidly.
Another group consists of marginal plants, which are rooted in saturated soil or mud at the edges of a body of water. Their foliage and flowers emerge into the air. Examples like the Water Lily (Nymphaea spp.) and the Yellow Flag Iris (Iris pseudacorus) require a constant water source but not a fully submerged state. These plants are typically utilized for outdoor aesthetics and are not suited for simple indoor water culture.
Maintaining Long-Term Health for Water-Grown Plants
While setting up a plant in water is simple, ensuring its long-term health requires consistent maintenance, especially concerning water quality and nutrient provision. Since plain tap or distilled water contains very few of the essential minerals plants need for continued growth, regular nutrient supplementation is necessary for plants kept in water beyond the rooting stage. It is recommended to use a highly diluted liquid fertilizer, such as a specialized hydroponic solution or a quarter-strength houseplant food, added to the water every few weeks.
Water should be completely changed weekly or bi-weekly to prevent the water from becoming stagnant, which starves the roots of oxygen and can lead to the formation of harmful bacteria or algae. When changing the water, the container should also be cleaned to remove any mineral deposits or algae growth, as algae competes with the plant for nutrients and light. Providing bright, indirect light is generally best for most indoor water-grown plants, and periodically trimming any slimy or decaying roots will encourage the growth of fresh, healthy water roots.