Plants that grow in water include pothos, philodendron, lucky bamboo, spider plant, tradescantia, coleus and English ivy, plus kitchen favorites like green onions, sweet potato slips, avocado pits and pineapple tops. Most need only a clean jar, a node or root zone under water, bright indirect light, fresh water every week and a pinch of fertilizer for long-term growth.
| Group | Easiest picks | Long-term in water? |
|---|---|---|
| Houseplant vines | Pothos, heartleaf philodendron, tradescantia, English ivy | Yes, with occasional feeding |
| Decorative stems | Lucky bamboo, coleus, monstera cuttings | Yes (coleus best as a rooting stage) |
| Kitchen scraps | Green onions, sweet potato, avocado pit, pineapple top | Mostly a starting stage |
| Edible water plants | Water spinach (kangkong), watercress | Yes, where legal (water spinach is a federal noxious weed) |
| Bulbs and orchids | Paperwhites, hyacinths, amaryllis, Phalaenopsis | Seasonal or specialist |
What Makes Some Plants That Grow in Water Thrive?
Plants that do well in plain water usually root easily from stem nodes, tolerate low oxygen around their roots, and grow slowly enough that a jar of water can keep up. Penn State Extension describes a node as the point where a leaf or bud attaches to the stem; that is where new roots form on cuttings. For most vines, a cutting of 3 to 6 inches with at least two nodes is a good start.
That is why the best plants that grow in water are mostly vining houseplants and kitchen scraps with ready-made growth points. Water-grown roots are thinner and more brittle than soil roots, so plants that start in water usually do best if they stay in water, or move to a hydroponic system rather than back to soil. Our guide to converting soil plants to hydroponics explains that switch.
Which Houseplants Grow in Water Long-Term?
- Pothos (Epipremnum aureum). The classic. Cuttings root in a week or two and can live for years in a vase. Full care guide: pothos in water.
- Heartleaf philodendron. Grows almost exactly like pothos and tolerates lower light.
- Lucky bamboo (Dracaena sanderiana). Not a true bamboo. Keep stalks in an inch or two of water with pebbles and change the water weekly.
- Spider plant. Root the plantlets (babies) in water, then keep them there or pot them up. It is listed as non-toxic to cats and dogs by the ASPCA.
- Tradescantia. Fast, colorful trailing stems that root within days.
- English ivy. Roots readily but grows slowly in water; keep it cool and bright.
- Monstera cuttings. Include a node and an aerial root; rooting can take several weeks.
- Coleus. Roots very quickly, which makes it a great classroom demo, though it often grows best once moved to soil or a hydroponic pot.
Which Kitchen Plants That Grow in Water Are Worth Trying?
- Sweet potato slips. Suspend a sweet potato half in water and it sprouts leafy shoots you can root and plant out. See how to grow sweet potatoes in water.
- Avocado pit. Toothpicks and a glass of water turn a pit into a seedling in a few weeks to a couple of months. See avocado seed in water.
- Pineapple top. Root the crown in water, then move it to a pot for a striking houseplant. See pineapple top in water.
- Green onions and herbs. Regrow scallion bases and root basil or mint cuttings in a glass. See green onions, basil and mint.
Which Edible and Flowering Plants That Grow in Water Should You Try?
- Water spinach (kangkong). A true semi-aquatic vegetable that grows fast in warm water, but it’s a federal noxious weed and states such as Florida and Texas require permits, so check federal and state rules first. See how to grow water spinach. Watercress is a cool-season cousin; see watercress.
- Bulbs. Paperwhites, hyacinths and amaryllis can bloom indoors with their roots in water. See growing bulbs in water.
- Orchids. Some growers keep Phalaenopsis in full or semi water culture. It takes careful technique; see water culture orchids.
How Do You Care for Plants That Grow in Water?
- Use the right container. Clear glass lets you watch roots but grows algae faster. Colored glass or an opaque vase cuts algae. See algae control.
- Keep nodes under, leaves out. Leaves sitting in water rot and foul the jar.
- Refresh the water weekly. Rinse the jar and roots gently when you do.
- Know your tap water. Chlorine gas off overnight, but chloramine does not. Read chlorine and chloramine in tap water.
- Feed lightly. Plain water has no nutrients. For plants kept in water for months, add a hydroponic nutrient at about a quarter of the label rate every few weeks. See how to use hydroponic nutrients.
- Give bright, indirect light. Most houseplants scorch in hot direct sun behind glass.
Are Plants That Grow in Water Safe for Pets?
Many popular picks are not. The ASPCA lists golden pothos as toxic to dogs and cats, and it also lists heartleaf philodendron, Dracaena species (the genus lucky bamboo belongs to) and English ivy as toxic. Spider plant is listed as non-toxic. Keep vases out of reach, and call your veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 if a pet chews a plant.
What Mistakes Kill Plants That Grow in Water?
| Mistake | What you see | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Never changing water | Cloudy water, slimy roots, smell | Change weekly; trim mushy roots |
| No node under water | Cutting sits for weeks with no roots | Recut just below a node |
| Hot, direct sun | Bleached or crispy leaves, algae | Move to bright indirect light |
| No nutrients for months | Small, pale new leaves | Add quarter-strength nutrients |
| Moving long water roots into soil | Wilting after potting | Pot up early or keep in water or hydro |
FAQs About Plants That Grow in Water
What plant grows best in water only?
Among all plants that grow in water, pothos is the most forgiving choice. Lucky bamboo and heartleaf philodendron are close behind.
Can plants live in water forever?
Some plants that grow in water, like pothos and lucky bamboo, can live for years if you change the water and feed lightly. Others, like avocado or pineapple, eventually need soil or a proper hydroponic system.
Do plants that grow in water need fertilizer?
Yes, for long-term growth. Plain water supplies no nutrients, so add a diluted fertilizer every few weeks.
Which vegetables are plants that grow in water?
Watercress, lettuce and many herbs grow well in water-based systems, and so does water spinach where it’s legal to grow. See our Kratky method for a simple jar setup.
Is growing plants in water the same as hydroponics?
It is the simplest form of it. Hydroponics adds measured nutrients and, often, aeration. Start with how to start hydroponics at home.
Related HydroponicEra Guides
Sources
- Penn State Extension — Propagating Houseplants
- ASPCA — Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants List
- ASPCA — Golden Pothos
- Wisconsin Horticulture, Division of Extension — Forcing Bulbs
- NC State Extension — Propagation (Extension Gardener Handbook)
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