17 Houseplants that Can Be Propagated in Water

Propagating plants through cuttings lets you create multiple new plants that are exactly like the original, unlike when you grow them from seeds.

Instead of soil, you can propagate indoor plants in water; this will avoid common mistakes that often occur when growing plants in containers.

Propagating plants in water has several benefits, including faster growth, ease of care, cost-effectiveness, and an increased success rate.

Fortunately, several flowering and houseplants, including begonia, peace lily, lotus, moth orchid, monstera, spider plant, pothos, snake plant, and prayer plant, are genetically programmed to form roots through cuttings.

Apart from being cost-effective, house plants grown hydroponically in glass vases add aesthetic appeal to your space.

These houseplants are grown in water and blend perfectly with kitchen and bathroom décor.

Important Tip: Use chlorine-free water and change it regularly. Adding water-soluble fertilizer will help ensure your hydroponic houseplants stay healthy and thrive.

Before listing houseplants that can be grown in water, let’s first know how to propagate them without soil.

How to Propagate Houseplants in Water?

Propagating through cuttings allows cloning your original plant. It helps to multiply your greenery on a limited budget.

Cuttings from healthy plant

Use a sharp knife to cut 4 inches from the houseplant, just below the leaf node.

Submerge 2 inches of the cutting in a glass jar filled with water.

Use chlorine-free water or tap water after keeping it overnight.

Light, Location & Fertilizing

Depending on the plant’s light requirements, it’s ideal to place the cutting submerged in water on a windowsill that receives bright indirect sunlight.

It may take five days before you see roots start to emerge from the stem.

To avoid fungal growth, the water in the glass vase must be changed once a week.

Most houseplants take up to 4 weeks to establish itself.

Plants need nutrients to thrive and bloom. While plants grown in the soil get nutrients from the growing medium, those grown in water require liquid fertilizers.

To ensure their health and growth, add water-soluble fertilizer every 4 to 6 weeks or whenever you change the water.

17 Houseplants that Can Be Propagated in Water

Houseplants need three essential things to survive: sunlight, water, and growing medium.

The growing medium can be potting soil, peat moss, or just water.

The best thing about propagating houseplants in water is that you can shift them to potting soil when you’re done growing them in water.

It’s fascinating to experiment with propagating a few healthy houseplants from your indoor collection.

1. Orchids

Most orchids are epiphytic plants, which means they grow on the surface of other trees. They grab moisture and nutrients from the air.

Those who grew orchids traditionally in potting soil might have experienced common orchid problems like root rotting and leaf spots.

Orchid water culture is one of the effective ways to avoid these common plant problems.

You can either take mature plants or use cuttings to propagate in water.

• Take a clean glass vase filled with non-chlorinated water.
• Submerge orchid plant cuttings into water.
• If you’re using a mature plant, ensure that a few roots stay above water level.
• You can try full-water culture or semi-water culture.
• Unlike other plants, orchid roots want to be dry. So, when you change water weekly, allow the roots to dry for 2-3 days.
• Place clay pebbles at the bottom of the glass vase to support the orchid plant.

Use water-soluble fertilizer once a week and change the water again after a few hours. Orchids don’t need excess fertilizers.

2. Monstera

Monstera is prominent for its dramatic split leaves. To grow monstera in water, take monstera cutting with several nodes.

Dip the cutting in a glass jar filled with non-chlorinated water.

Allow the roots to come up from the cuttings. Change the water weekly to avoid fungal growth.

Monstera prefers bright indirect sunlight, so place the glass jar with Monstera cutting away from direct sunlight.

Fertilize hydroponic monstera once or twice a month using water-soluble fertilizer.

3. Baby’s Tears

Baby’s Tears is a lush, mat-forming plant with tiny, round leaves. To grow Baby’s Tears in water, take a cutting with several leaves and at least one node.

Place the cutting in a glass jar filled with non-chlorinated water.

Allow the roots to develop from the cutting. Change the water weekly to prevent stagnation and algae growth.

Baby’s Tears prefers bright, indirect light, so place the glass jar with the cutting away from direct sunlight.

Fertilize the plant once or twice a month using a water-soluble fertilizer.

4. Spider Plant

Spider Plants are known for their arching leaves and small plantlets. To grow a Spider Plant in water, take a plantlet with a small stem.

Place the plantlet in a glass jar filled with non-chlorinated water.

Allow the roots to develop from the plantlet. Change the water every few days to prevent stagnation.

Spider Plants prefer bright, indirect sunlight, so place the glass jar away from direct sunlight.

Fertilize the plant once a month using a water-soluble fertilizer.

5. Arrowhead Vine

Arrowhead Vine is a versatile plant with arrow-shaped leaves. To grow Arrowhead Vine in water, take a cutting with at least one node.

Place the cutting in a glass jar filled with non-chlorinated water.

Allow the roots to develop from the node. Change the water weekly to prevent stagnation.

Arrowhead Vine prefers bright, indirect light, so place the glass jar away from direct sunlight.

Fertilize the plant once a month using a water-soluble fertilizer.

6. Caladium

Caladiums are known for their colorful and patterned leaves. To grow Caladium in water, take a cutting with a leaf and a part of the stem.

Place the stem in a glass jar filled with non-chlorinated water, ensuring the leaf is above the waterline.

Allow the roots to develop from the stem. Change the water weekly to prevent stagnation.

Caladium prefers bright, indirect light, so place the glass jar away from direct sunlight.

Fertilize the plant once a month using a water-soluble fertilizer.

7. African Violet

African Violets have beautiful, velvety leaves and vibrant flowers. To grow African Violet in water, take a leaf cutting with a petiole (leaf stem).

Place the petiole in a glass jar filled with non-chlorinated water, ensuring the leaf itself stays above the waterline.

Allow the roots to develop from the petiole. Change the water weekly to prevent stagnation.

African Violets prefer bright, indirect light, so place the glass jar away from direct sunlight.

Fertilize the plant once a month using a water-soluble fertilizer.

8. Begonia

Begonias are known for their colorful leaves and flowers. To grow Begonia in water, take a cutting with at least one node.

Place the cutting in a glass jar filled with non-chlorinated water.

Allow the roots to develop from the node. Change the water weekly to prevent stagnation.

Begonias prefer bright, indirect light, so place the glass jar away from direct sunlight.

Fertilize the plant once a month using a water-soluble fertilizer.

9. Dracaena

Dracaenas are famous for their long, strap-like leaves. To grow Dracaena in water, take a stem cutting with several nodes.

Place the cutting in a glass jar filled with non-chlorinated water, ensuring at least one node is submerged.

Allow the roots to develop from the nodes. Change the water weekly to prevent stagnation.

Dracaena prefers bright, indirect light, so place the glass jar away from direct sunlight.

Fertilize the plant once a month using a water-soluble fertilizer.

10. Lucky Bamboo

Lucky Bamboo is known for its slender, upright stalks and Feng Shui associations. To grow Lucky Bamboo in water, take a healthy stalk with nodes.

Place the stalk in a glass jar filled with non-chlorinated water, ensuring the nodes are submerged.

Allow the roots to develop from the nodes. Change the water every two weeks to prevent stagnation.

Lucky Bamboo prefers low to moderate indirect light, so place the glass jar away from direct sunlight.

Fertilize the plant once a month using a water-soluble fertilizer.

11. Pothos

Pothos is a popular houseplant known for its trailing vines and heart-shaped leaves. To grow Pothos in water, take a cutting with several nodes.

Place the cutting in a glass jar filled with non-chlorinated water, ensuring at least one node is submerged.

Allow the roots to develop from the nodes. Change the water weekly to prevent stagnation.

Pothos prefers bright, indirect light, so place the glass jar away from direct sunlight.

Fertilize the plant once a month using a water-soluble fertilizer.

12. Snake Plant

Snake Plant is known for its tall, upright leaves. To grow the Snake Plant in water, take a leaf cutting with a part of the base.

Place the base of the cutting in a glass jar filled with non-chlorinated water.

Allow the roots to develop from the base. Change the water weekly to prevent stagnation.

Snake Plant prefers bright, indirect light, so place the glass jar away from direct sunlight.

Fertilize the plant once a month using a water-soluble fertilizer.

13. Philodendron

Philodendrons are known for their large, lush leaves. To grow a Philodendron in water, take a cutting with several nodes.

Place the cutting in a glass jar filled with non-chlorinated water, ensuring at least one node is submerged.

Allow the roots to develop from the nodes. Change the water weekly to prevent stagnation.

Philodendron prefers bright, indirect light, so place the glass jar away from direct sunlight.

Fertilize the plant once a month using a water-soluble fertilizer.

14. Coleus

Coleus is known for its colorful, patterned leaves. To grow Coleus in water, take a cutting with several nodes.

Place the cutting in a glass jar filled with non-chlorinated water, ensuring at least one node is submerged.

Allow the roots to develop from the nodes. Change the water weekly to prevent stagnation.

Coleus prefers bright, indirect light, so place the glass jar away from direct sunlight.

Fertilize the plant once a month using a water-soluble fertilizer.

15. Chinese Evergreen

Chinese Evergreen is known for its attractive, variegated leaves. To grow Chinese Evergreen in water, take a cutting with several nodes.

Place the cutting in a glass jar filled with non-chlorinated water, ensuring at least one node is submerged.

Allow the roots to develop from the nodes. Change the water weekly to prevent stagnation.

Chinese Evergreen prefers bright, indirect light, so place the glass jar away from direct sunlight.

Fertilize the plant once a month using a water-soluble fertilizer.

16. Pilea

Pilea, also known as the Chinese Money Plant, is known for its round, coin-shaped leaves. To grow Pilea in water, take a cutting with several nodes.

Place the cutting in a glass jar filled with non-chlorinated water, ensuring at least one node is submerged.

Allow the roots to develop from the nodes. Change the water weekly to prevent stagnation.

Pilea prefers bright, indirect light, so place the glass jar away from direct sunlight.

Fertilize the plant once a month using a water-soluble fertilizer.

17. Rosemary

Rosemary is a fragrant herb known for its needle-like leaves. To grow Rosemary in water, take a cutting with several nodes.

Place the cutting in a glass jar filled with non-chlorinated water, ensuring at least one node is submerged.

Allow the roots to develop from the nodes. Change the water weekly to prevent stagnation.

Rosemary prefers bright, indirect light, so place the glass jar away from direct sunlight.

Fertilize the plant once a month using a water-soluble fertilizer.

18. Peace Lily

Peace Lily is known for its dark green leaves and white spathes. To grow Peace Lily in water, take a cutting with several nodes.

Place the cutting in a glass jar filled with non-chlorinated water, ensuring at least one node is submerged.

Allow the roots to develop from the nodes. Change the water weekly to prevent stagnation.

Peace Lily prefers bright, indirect light, so place the glass jar away from direct sunlight.

Fertilize the plant once a month using a water-soluble fertilizer.

19. English Ivy

English Ivy is known for its trailing vines and lobed leaves. To grow English Ivy in water, take a cutting with several nodes.

Place the cutting in a glass jar filled with non-chlorinated water, ensuring at least one node is submerged.

Allow the roots to develop from the nodes. Change the water weekly to prevent stagnation.

English Ivy prefers bright, indirect light, so place the glass jar away from direct sunlight.

Fertilize the plant once a month using a water-soluble fertilizer.

Important Tips while growing indoor plants in water

Propagating houseplants in water is rewarding and low-maintenance, but to enjoy multiplying your indoor plant collection without any problem, you must avoid or follow a few important tips mentioned below.

• Avoid using tap water, as it contains chlorine that can harm plants.
• Instead, use distilled or rain water.
• Most plants grown hydroponically prefer bright indirect light, so avoid direct sunlight.
• Use water-soluble fertilizer once a month to encourage optimal growth of the plant.
• Regularly clean the glass jar and replace the water once a week to avoid fungal growth.
• Monitor root growth to prevent rotting. Healthy roots should be white or light-colored and firm to the touch.
• Use pebbles, clay balls, or other supports to stabilize plants, especially those that grow taller or heavier.

Conclusion

With minimal supplies, you can easily clone your houseplants by propagating them.

It is fascinating to see healthy white roots growing through a glass vase.

Apart from adding aesthetic appeal, propagating plants in water reduces maintenance costs and prevents soil-borne pests and diseases.

Remember to provide light and support and change water regularly to have visually appealing plants in your space.