Top 22 Plants that Grow in Water Indoors

Not every plant needs soil to survive. In fact, many plants that grow in water adapt surprisingly well to simple indoor setups using just a jar and clean water.

This method is practical, low-mess, and perfect for small spaces or beginners who want something easy to maintain. But success depends on choosing the right plants and understanding how water growing actually works.

In this post, you’ll find reliable plant options, how to set them up properly, what care habits matter most, and the realistic pros and cons of going soil-free.

Let’s start with the best plants that thrive in water indoors.

Best Plants that Grow in Water

These plants root easily in water and do well indoors. Most need just a clean container, some water, and a bright spot to thrive.

1. Pothos (Epipremnum aureum)

Pothos is a trailing vine with heart-shaped leaves, available in green, golden, and variegated varieties. It’s one of the most popular houseplants because it survives in almost any condition.

Light Needs: Bright to low indirect light
Grow In Water: Stem cuttings
Rooting Time: 1–2 weeks
Container: Glass jar or vase
Water Change: Every 1–2 weeks
Care Level: Very easy
Best For: Beginners, shelf or hanging display

2. Lucky Bamboo (Dracaena sanderiana)

Lucky bamboo is a slender, upright plant often sold in decorative vases with pebbles. It’s a popular choice for desks and gifts because of its low maintenance.

Light Needs: Low to indirect light
Grow In Water: Full plant with pebbles
Rooting Time: Already rooted when purchased
Container: Tall vase with pebbles
Water Change: Every 2–4 weeks
Care Level: Easy
Best For: Desks, tabletops, gifting

3. Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum)

Spider plant is a cheerful, arching plant that produces long stems with small baby plantlets at the ends. It’s a great beginner plant and one of the easiest to propagate.

Light Needs: Bright indirect light
Grow In Water: Plantlets (babies from the mother plant)
Rooting Time: 1–2 weeks
Container: Small glass jar
Water Change: Every 1–2 weeks
Care Level: Easy
Best For: Beginners, windowsills

4. Philodendron

Philodendron is a tropical trailing plant with large, glossy leaves that comes in many varieties. It’s a common houseplant that adapts well to indoor conditions.

Light Needs: Bright indirect light
Grow In Water: Stem cuttings with nodes
Rooting Time: 2–3 weeks
Container: Glass jar or vase
Water Change: Every 1–2 weeks
Care Level: Easy
Best For: Shelves, hanging display

5. Chinese Evergreen (Aglaonema)

Chinese evergreen is a bold, leafy plant known for its large, patterned leaves in shades of green, silver, and red. It’s one of the best plants for low-light indoor spaces.

Light Needs: Low to medium indirect light
Grow In Water: Stem cuttings
Rooting Time: 3–4 weeks
Container: Wide-mouth vase
Water Change: Every 1–2 weeks
Care Level: Easy
Best For: Low-light rooms, office spaces

6. English Ivy (Hedera helix)

English ivy is a classic trailing vine with lobed leaves that looks great cascading from shelves or windowsills. It’s widely used for indoor propagation because it roots so quickly.

Light Needs: Bright indirect light
Grow In Water: Stem cuttings
Rooting Time: 1–2 weeks
Container: Glass jar or vase
Water Change: Every 1–2 weeks
Care Level: Easy
Best For: Trailing display, propagation

7. Coleus

Coleus is a vibrant foliage plant with leaves in bold combinations of red, pink, purple, and green. It grows quickly and adds a strong splash of color to any indoor space.

Light Needs: Bright indirect light
Grow In Water: Stem cuttings
Rooting Time: 1–2 weeks
Container: Clear glass jar
Water Change: Every 1–2 weeks
Care Level: Easy
Best For: Bright windowsills, colorful displays

8. Begonia

Begonia is a popular flowering plant with waxy leaves and blooms in pink, red, white, and orange. Its thick stems make it a good candidate for long-term water growing.

Light Needs: Bright indirect light
Grow In Water: Stem cuttings
Rooting Time: 2–3 weeks
Container: Small glass jar
Water Change: Every 1–2 weeks
Care Level: Moderate
Best For: Windowsills, long-term water growing

9. Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum)

Peace lily is a well-known indoor plant with deep green glossy leaves and elegant white flowers. It’s one of the few flowering plants that grows well in water long-term.

Light Needs: Low to indirect light
Grow In Water: Full plant (crown above water)
Rooting Time: Already rooted
Container: Tall vase or hydroponic container
Water Change: Every 1–2 weeks
Care Level: Moderate
Best For: Low-light rooms, statement displays

10. Arrowhead Plant (Syngonium podophyllum)

Arrowhead plant is a compact tropical plant with arrow-shaped leaves that change shape as the plant matures. It’s a low-fuss option that stays manageable in smaller containers.

Light Needs: Medium indirect light
Grow In Water: Stem cuttings with nodes
Rooting Time: 2–3 weeks
Container: Glass jar or vase
Water Change: Every 1–2 weeks
Care Level: Easy
Best For: Small spaces, tabletops

11. Monstera (Monstera deliciosa)

Monstera is a striking tropical plant famous for its large leaves with natural splits and holes. It makes a bold statement indoors and grows well from cuttings in water.

Light Needs: Bright indirect light
Grow in Water: Stem cuttings with a node
Rooting Time: 3–5 weeks
Container: Tall, wide vase
Water Change: Every 1–2 weeks
Care Level: Moderate
Best For: Statement pieces, propagation

12. Prayer Plant (Maranta leuconeura)

Prayer plant is a decorative foliage plant with beautifully patterned leaves that fold upward at night. It’s a unique and eye-catching addition to any indoor water garden.

Light Needs: Medium indirect light
Grow In Water: Stem cuttings
Rooting Time: 3–4 weeks
Container: Glass jar
Water Change: Every 1–2 weeks
Care Level: Moderate
Best For: Shelves, decorative displays

13. Dracaena

Dracaena is an upright plant with long, strap-like leaves that comes in many varieties. It’s a popular choice for adding height and structure to indoor spaces.

Light Needs: Low to indirect light
Grow In Water: Stem cuttings
Rooting Time: 3–5 weeks
Container: Tall vase
Water Change: Every 2 weeks
Care Level: Easy
Best For: Corners, floor-level displays

14. Aluminum Plant (Pilea cadierei)

The aluminum plant is a small, compact plant with dark green leaves marked with silvery patches. It’s a decorative choice that looks especially striking in a clear glass container.

Light Needs: Bright indirect light
Grow In Water: Stem cuttings
Rooting Time: 1–2 weeks
Container: Small glass jar
Water Change: Every 1–2 weeks
Care Level: Easy
Best For: Desks, small spaces

15. Inch Plant / Spiderwort (Tradescantia)

Inch plant is a fast-growing trailing plant with leaves in shades of purple, green, and silver stripes. It’s one of the quickest plants to root in water and very easy to maintain.

Light Needs: Bright indirect light
Grow In Water: Stem cuttings
Rooting Time: 1 week
Container: Glass jar or vase
Water Change: Every 1–2 weeks
Care Level: Very easy
Best For: Trailing display, beginners

16. Pancake Plant (Pilea peperomioides)

The pancake plant is a fun, quirky plant with perfectly round, coin-shaped leaves on thin, upright stems. It has become a popular choice for modern indoor spaces.

Light Needs: Bright indirect light
Grow In Water: Stem or offset cuttings
Rooting Time: 2–3 weeks
Container: Small glass jar
Water Change: Every 1–2 weeks
Care Level: Moderate
Best For: Desks, windowsills

17. Dieffenbachia (Dumb Cane)

Dieffenbachia is a large tropical plant with broad, patterned leaves in green and cream. It adds a lush, tropical feel to indoor spaces and roots well from stem cuttings.

Light Needs: Medium to low indirect light
Grow In Water: Stem cuttings
Rooting Time: 3–4 weeks
Container: Wide, tall vase
Water Change: Every 1–2 weeks
Care Level: Moderate
Best For: Floor displays, statement foliage

18. Croton (Codiaeum variegatum)

Croton is a bold, colorful plant with multicolored leaves in red, yellow, orange, and green. It brings vivid color to bright indoor spots and is one of the more striking water-grown plants.

Light Needs: Bright, direct or indirect light
Grow In Water: Stem cuttings
Rooting Time: 3–4 weeks
Container: Glass jar or vase
Water Change: Every 1–2 weeks
Care Level: Moderate
Best For: Bright sunny spots, colorful displays

19. Mint (Mentha)

Mint is a fast-growing herb with fragrant leaves used in cooking, drinks, and teas. Its roots are one of the easiest and most practical plants to grow in water at home.

Light Needs: Bright indirect light
Grow In Water: Stem cuttings
Rooting Time: 3–5 days
Container: Glass jar or cup
Water Change: Every 1–2 weeks
Care Level: Very easy
Best For: Kitchen windowsill, cooking use

20. Rosemary (Salvia rosmarinus)

Rosemary is a woody, aromatic herb with needle-like leaves and a strong fragrance. It’s widely used in cooking and grows well from stem cuttings placed in water.

Light Needs: Bright direct light
Grow In Water: Stem cuttings (lower leaves removed)
Rooting Time: 3–4 weeks
Container: Small glass jar
Water Change: Every 1–2 weeks
Care Level: Moderate
Best For: Kitchen windowsill, cooking use

21. Sweet Potato Vine (Ipomoea batatas)

Sweet potato vine is a vigorous trailing plant with ornamental leaves in green, purple, or bronze. It grows from both tubers and stem cuttings and spreads quickly in water.

Light Needs: Bright indirect to direct light
Grow In Water: Tuber or stem cuttings
Rooting Time: 1–2 weeks
Container: Wide bowl or jar
Water Change: Every 1–2 weeks
Care Level: Easy
Best For: Trailing display, sunny windowsills

22. Paperwhite Narcissus (Narcissus papyraceus)

Paperwhite narcissus is a flowering bulb that produces clusters of small white blooms with a sweet fragrance. It’s one of the easiest bulbs to force indoors without any soil.

Light Needs: Bright indirect light
Grow in Water: Bulbs in a shallow bowl with stones
Rooting Time: 3–5 weeks to bloom
Container: Shallow bowl with pebbles
Water Change: Top up water as needed
Care Level: Easy
Best For: Winter blooms, seasonal indoor display

These plants cover everything from herbs to trailing vines to bold tropical foliage. Start with pothos, mint, or spider plant if you’re new to water growing; they’re the most forgiving and fastest to root.

How Plants Grow in Water

Most plants can grow in water with the right setup. Here’s what you need to know before getting started.

How it works:

Plants grow roots from small points on their stems called nodes when placed in water.
Water delivers oxygen and nutrients directly to the roots, replacing what soil normally provides.
Tropical plants adapt especially well since they’re used to humid, moisture-rich environments.

Setting it up:

Use a glass jar, vase, or hydroponic container. Clear containers let you easily monitor root growth.
Use filtered or chlorine-free water. If using tap water, leave it out overnight before use.
Change the water every 1–2 weeks to prevent bacteria and algae buildup.

Keeping plants healthy:

Add a small amount of liquid fertilizer once a month. Water alone doesn’t provide nutrients like soil does.
Keep leaves above the waterline to avoid rot.
Place plants in bright, indirect light for the best growth.

Tips to Keep Water-Grown Plants Healthy

A few simple habits go a long way in keeping water-grown plants alive and looking good.

Keep leaves above water: Only roots and nodes should touch the water to prevent rot.
Clean containers regularly: Scrub the jar every time you change the water to stop algae and bacteria from building up.
Provide bright, indirect light: Most water plants do best near a window with filtered light; avoid direct sunlight, as it can overheat the water.
Trim roots when needed: If roots look crowded or turn dark and mushy, trim them back with clean scissors.

Pros and Cons of Growing Plants in Water

Growing plants in water has some real advantages, but it comes with a few trade-offs too. Here’s a quick look at both sides.

Pros	Cons
Less mess, no soil to deal with indoors	Some plants grow more slowly in water than in soil
Easy to propagate new plants at home	Nutrients must be added manually with liquid fertilizer
Great for small spaces and minimal setups	Water needs to be changed every 1–2 weeks
Easy to monitor root health through clear containers	Not all plants adapt well to long-term water growing
Low risk of pests like fungus gnats that come from the soil	Algae can build up in clear glass containers over time

Conclusion

Growing plants that grow in water can be a simple and rewarding way to add greenery indoors without dealing with soil.

The key is choosing adaptable varieties, maintaining clean water, and providing light and nutrients consistently. While not every plant will thrive long-term in water, many common houseplants and herbs adjust well to basic care.

Once you understand the small maintenance habits involved, the process becomes straightforward and manageable.

If you’re curious to try it, start with one easy plant like pothos or mint and see how it performs in your space.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Plants Grow Best in Water?

Pothos, lucky bamboo, spider plant, philodendron, and Chinese evergreen are some of the easiest plants to grow in water. They root quickly and adapt well to long-term living in a jar or vase.

Can Plants Grow in Water Permanently?

Yes, many houseplants can grow long-term in water. You need to change the water every 1–2 weeks and add a small amount of liquid fertilizer once a month to keep them healthy.

Do Water Plants Need Fertilizer?

Yes. Water doesn’t provide the minerals that soil does, so plants need a little help. A diluted liquid fertilizer added once a month is usually enough to support steady growth.