Yes, there are plants that will grow indefinitely in water. Learn about growing plants in water, plants to choose, and why you might want to give it a try.
I stumbled upon growing plants in water when I took a cutting from my Scheffelera plant (shown above) and never got around to transplanting it into soil. It's been months now, and it looks so great that I'm going to keep growing it this way.
Why Grow Plants in Water?
- Saves Space - You don't need large pots to grow indoor plants in water, and you can set them on window sills easily.
- Low Maintenance - Changing the water and occasionally adding a little fertilizer is an easy task.
- Interesting Asthetic - You can use unusual vases, bottles, and jars to grow your plants for a great look. And, if you use glass, you can see the mass of beautiful roots as part of the overall look.
- Fewer Pest Problems - Pests like fungus gnats lay their eggs in the soil, so no worries.
How to Grow Plants in Water
- Cuttings - The obvious choice is to use cuttings from plants you already have. This is also a great opportunity to get a cutting from a coveted plant your friend or neighbor has. Make sure you use a clean, sharp knife and cut a stem cutting just below a leaf node, and be sure to remove all the leaves below the water line.
- Plants Growing in Soil- You can remove all the dirt from a nursery plant you buy before placing it in water to grow. Or, you may have one in your house that has outgrown its pot and decide to grow it in water. That is what I did with the photos plant shown above.
Plants to Grow in Water
Lots of popular houseplants will grow in water. Even vines like Pothos, Montera, and English Ivy can be fun to grow. Here are just a few ideas:
- Pothos
- Philodendron
- Lucky Bamboo
- Tradescantia
- Monstera
- English Ivy
- Begonias
- Spider Plants
Also, though I haven't tried it yet, I've read where people will grow vegetables and herbs in water, such as lettuce, mint, and basil.
Caring for Plants Growing in Water
Light Needs - Place your plants in a setting where they will get bright indirect light. Direct sunlight may heat up the water too much or burn the foliage. Place the cuttings in a container with fresh water.
Water Needs - Change the water regularly. I usually do this every week. However, you can probably get away with waiting a little longer. Tap water is fine. However, if you think that there is a lot of chlorine in your water, let some sit for a day or two before using it. You can also use rain water or distilled water.
Fertilizer Needs - Give the water a little liquid fertilizer about once every other month or once a quarter so that your plants receive the nutrients they normally get from soil.
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Containers for Growing Plants in Water
Obviously, the container you choose to grow your plant in needs to be airtight as opposed to soil grown plants, which need drainage. I like glass containers. However, you can use opaque containers. The darkness will inhibit the growth of algae, which needs light to grow. The roots do not need light as the leaves are the parts of the plant that make photosynthesis.
Another obvious consideration is to choose the appropriate size for the cutting or plant and one that will hold your plant or cutting upright.
Why Don't They Get Root Rot?
You may be wondering, I know I did, why these roots don't rot growing in water the same way over-watered plants in soil do. I found out that it's all about oxygen and pathogens. Plants in soil that are water logged cannot receive oxygen. Also, very wet soil can promote bacteria, fungus and other pathogens that kill plants. You can read more in this article.
Did I pique your interest? Even the local Chinese restaurant is doing it and using the plants as part of their decor. What a great idea!
Cindy
This is great. Another tip I learned is regrowing organic celery, leeks, carrots when u save the tops and put in a shallow dish . Then transplant later.
Patti Estep
Great idea Cindy. Thanks for sharing.