Love plants but hate messy soil? Here are 15 indoor plants that grow in water only. Clean, simple, and nearly impossible to overwater.
The Messy Soil Problem
You want plants in your home. But every time you water, soil spills on the floor. Fungus gnats buzz around the pots. You travel and come back to dead plants because the soil dried out. There is a cleaner way. Indoor plants that grow in water eliminate soil completely. No mess. No gnats. No guessing about watering. This guide shows you 15 plants that thrive in nothing but water.
What You Will Learn
🟩 1. Fifteen plants that grow happily in water only
🟩 2. How to switch soil plants to water without killing them
🟩 3. Best containers for water growing
🟩 4. Water changing schedule so roots stay healthy
🟩 5. Fertilizer needs for water-grown plants
🟩 6. Common mistakes that rot water plants
1. Pothos
Pothos is the king of water growing. Heart-shaped leaves in green, golden, or white patterns trail down from any container. It roots faster in water than almost any other plant.
What makes it special: This plant roots in days, not weeks. You can watch the white roots grow longer each day. Very satisfying for beginners and kids. It tolerates low light and forgives neglect. If you have darker rooms, check out our guide to 21 Low Light Indoor Plants That Thrive Without Direct Sun for more options.
How to start: Take a cutting with 3 to 4 leaves. Remove the bottom leaf so the node is bare. Put the node underwater. Roots grow from that node within a week or two.
Container choice: Clear glass jars work best so you can see the roots. Mason jars, old pasta sauce jars, or special plant vases all work.
Water care: Change water weekly at first. Once roots are established, change every 1 to 2 weeks. Use tap water that has sat out overnight to let chlorine evaporate.
Light needed: Low to bright indirect light. Very adaptable.
2. Lucky Bamboo
Despite the name, this is not actually bamboo. It is a type of Dracaena. Stalks grow straight up with green leaves at the top. Often sold in twisted or braided forms.
What makes it special: It lives in water permanently. No need to ever move it to soil. The straight stalks add architectural height to any arrangement. Very popular in feng shui for good luck.
How to start: Buy stalks with roots already attached. Place in a vase with enough water to cover the roots. Add decorative pebbles to hold stalks in place if needed.
Container choice: Tall narrow vases work best. The roots need depth and stalks need support. Clear glass shows off the root system.
Water care: Change water every 1 to 2 weeks. Use distilled or filtered water if possible. Lucky bamboo is sensitive to chlorine and fluoride in tap water. Yellow leaves mean too much chemicals.
Light needed: Bright indirect light. Too much direct sun burns leaves.
3. Wandering Dude
Vibrant purple and silver leaves on trailing stems. Very colorful and fast growing. Formerly called Wandering Jew.
What makes it special: The color is stunning in clear glass. Purple stems and silver-striped leaves show off against the water. Grows roots almost immediately.
How to start: Take a cutting with several leaves. Remove bottom leaves. Put stem in water. Roots appear in days, not weeks.
Container choice: Clear glass shows the purple stems underwater. Very pretty.
Water care: Change water weekly. Pinch back long stems to keep plant full and bushy.
Light needed: Bright indirect light keeps colors vibrant.
4. Philodendron
Heart-shaped leaves on trailing vines. Similar to pothos but with thinner, more delicate leaves. New leaves emerge with a bronze tint.
What makes it special: Grows roots fast and adapts well to water. The vines can stay in water indefinitely. Very forgiving of occasional neglect.
How to start: Take a cutting with 3 to 4 leaves. Remove bottom leaf so node is exposed. Put node underwater. Roots appear within 1 to 2 weeks.
Container choice: Clear glass shows off the root development. Dark glass also works and prevents algae growth inside.
Water care: Change water weekly at first. Once established, change every 1 to 2 weeks.
Light needed: Low to bright indirect light. Very adaptable.
5. Chinese Money Plant
Round flat leaves like little coins on thin stems. Very popular and collectible. Roots easily in water.
What makes it special: The round leaf shape is unique and cheerful. Baby plants pop up from the soil of mother plants. These pups can be removed and rooted in water.
How to start: Remove a baby plant from the mother. Place in water with stem submerged. Roots grow within a few weeks.
Container choice: Small jars or test tubes work well. The plant stays compact so does not need large containers.
Water care: Change water weekly. Use filtered water if possible.
Light needed: Bright indirect light keeps leaves flat and round.
6. Chinese Evergreen
Chinese Evergreen has striking leaf patterns in silver, red, pink, and green. The leaves are oval and grow on sturdy stems. Very colorful and decorative.
What makes it special: It tolerates low light better than most water-grown plants. The colorful leaves brighten dark corners. Roots adapt well to water from soil. Its compact size also makes it perfect for –
20 Small Indoor Plants Perfect for Desks and Shelves.
How to start: Take a stem cutting with several leaves. Remove lower leaves. Place the cut end in water. Roots appear within 2 to 3 weeks.
Container choice: Clear glass shows off the colorful stems. Dark glass also works and hides any algae.
Water care: Change water weekly. Use filtered water if possible. Brown leaf edges mean too much chemicals in tap water.
Light needed: Low to bright indirect light. Very adaptable.
7. English Ivy
Classic lobed leaves on woody stems. Trails nicely from containers. Many varieties with different leaf shapes.
What makes it special: The traditional look works in any decor. Roots reliably in water. Cool green color suits formal spaces.
How to start: Take a cutting with several leaves. Remove bottom leaves. Place stem in water. Roots grow within a few weeks.
Container choice: Any vase works. Trailing stems look best in taller containers.
Water care: Change water weekly. Ivy prefers cooler temperatures so keep out of hot rooms.
Light needed: Bright indirect light.
8. Coleus
Stunning leaves in combinations of red, pink, purple, green, and yellow. Often as colorful as flowers.
What makes it special: The leaf colors are incredible. No two varieties look alike. Roots easily in water. Can stay in water indefinitely.
How to start: Take a cutting with several leaves. Remove bottom leaves. Put stem in water. Roots appear within 1 to 2 weeks.
Container choice: Clear glass shows the roots and colorful stems. Very decorative.
Water care: Change water weekly. Pinch off flower spikes to keep plant bushy and colorful.
Light needed: Bright light keeps colors intense. Too little and leaves turn green.
9. Begonia
Some begonias grow beautifully in water. Rex begonias with amazing leaf patterns. Wax begonias with small waxy leaves.
What makes it special: The leaf diversity is endless. Textures, colors, and patterns vary wildly. Water-grown begonias make unique displays.
How to start: Take a leaf with stem attached. Place stem in water. Some varieties can even root from a leaf placed on water surface.
Container choice: Shallow wide containers work best. The leaves spread out.
Water care: Change water weekly. Use filtered water. Begonias can be sensitive.
Light needed: Bright indirect light.
10. Impatiens
Cheerful flowers in many colors bloom continuously. Compact growth habit.
What makes it special: One of the few flowering plants that root in water. You get blooms without soil. Great for bright windowsills. For more flowering options, see 19 Flowering Indoor Plants That Bloom Indoors.
How to start: Take a cutting with no flowers. Remove lower leaves. Place stem in water. Roots within 1 to 2 weeks.
Container choice: Small jars or vases. Clear glass shows roots.
Water care: Change water weekly. Add very diluted liquid fertilizer monthly for blooms.
Light needed: Bright indirect light. Needs light to flower.
11. Basil
Fragrant green leaves for cooking. Roots easily in water. Provides fresh herbs year-round.
What makes it special: You can eat it. Fresh basil from your windowsill costs nothing after the initial cutting. Roots faster than almost any plant.
How to start: Take a cutting from a store-bought basil plant. Remove lower leaves. Put stem in water. Roots in less than a week.
Container choice: Any jar works. Kitchen windowsill is perfect.
Water care: Change water twice weekly. Basil is thirsty and drinks fast.
Light needed: Bright light. South window ideal.
12. Mint
Fast-growing herb with refreshing scent. Many varieties like peppermint, spearmint, chocolate mint.
What makes it special: Grows like crazy in water. You will have more mint than you can use. Roots in days and grows roots fast.
How to start: Take a cutting with several leaves. Remove bottom leaves. Put stem in water. Roots in less than a week.
Container choice: Any jar. Kitchen windowsill works perfectly.
Water care: Change water weekly. Trim regularly to keep from getting leggy.
Light needed: Bright indirect light.
13. Oregano
Small aromatic leaves for cooking. Roots reliably in water. Slower growing than mint but still easy.
What makes it special: Culinary herb that looks good growing. The small leaves are pretty. Smells wonderful when brushed.
How to start: Take a cutting with several leaves. Remove bottom leaves. Place stem in water. Roots within 2 weeks.
Container choice: Small jar on kitchen windowsill.
Water care: Change water weekly. Trim to encourage bushiness.
Light needed: Bright light.
14. Lemon Balm
Lemony scent from bright green leaves. Calming herb for teas. Roots easily.
What makes it special: The smell is fresh and clean. Rub a leaf and your fingers smell like lemon. Roots fast in water.
How to start: Take a cutting with several leaves. Remove bottom leaves. Put stem in water. Roots within 1 to 2 weeks.
Container choice: Any jar. Kitchen windowsill.
Water care: Change water weekly. Trim to keep full.
Light needed: Bright indirect light.
15. Paperwhite Narcissus
Fragrant white flowers on tall stalks. Grows from bulbs in water with pebbles. Classic winter plant.
What makes it special: The flowers smell incredible. One bulb fills a room with fragrance. No soil needed at all. Bulbs contain everything the plant needs.
How to start: Place bulbs in a shallow dish with pebbles. Add water just to the base of bulbs. Do not submerge bulbs or they rot.
Container choice: Shallow bowls without drainage. Clear glass dishes with decorative pebbles look best.
Water care: Keep water at base of bulbs. Change weekly. After flowering, bulbs are spent and composted.
Light needed: Bright indirect light while growing.
Best Containers for Water Plants
| Container Type | Best For | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clear glass jar | Pothos, Philodendron, Wandering Dude | See roots grow | Algae can form |
| Colored glass | Any plant | Hides algae, decorative | Cannot see roots |
| Test tubes | Small cuttings | Modern look | Small water volume |
| Mason jars | Most plants | Cheap, available | Basic look |
| Vases | Lucky Bamboo | Tall, stable | Narrow opening |
| Shallow bowls | Paperwhites, Begonias | Good for bulbs | Evaporates fast |
Water Type Comparison
| Water Type | Best For | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Tap water | Pothos, Philodendron | Let sit out 24 hours first |
| Distilled water | Lucky Bamboo, Chinese Evergreen | No chemicals, costs money |
| Filtered water | Most plants | Good balance |
| Rainwater | All plants | Best but not always available |
| Aquarium water | All plants | Contains natural fertilizer |
Common Mistakes with Water Plants
❌ Not changing water often enough: Stagnant water grows bacteria. Roots rot. Change weekly.
❌ Using cold water: Shocks the roots. Use room temperature water.
❌ Submerging leaves: Leaves underwater rot. Only stems and roots go under.
❌ Too much light: Direct sun in clear containers heats water. Cooks roots. Use indirect light.
❌ No fertilizer: Water has no nutrients. Add diluted liquid fertilizer monthly.
❌ Algae growth: Green slime in clear containers. Clean container and change water more often.
❌ Crowded roots: Too many cuttings in one jar compete. Give them space.
Tips That Work
The waiting trick: Let tap water sit out overnight before using. Chlorine evaporates.
The algae fix: Use dark glass or opaque containers. Algae needs light to grow.
The root trim: Trim roots occasionally if they get too long. Plant grows new ones.
The fertilizer rule: Use one-quarter strength liquid fertilizer monthly. More burns roots.
The cleaning method: Wash containers thoroughly between plants. Prevents disease spread.
The support system: Use decorative pebbles to hold tall plants upright in containers.
What To Remember
- Indoor plants in water need no soil, no drainage holes, no watering schedule
- Pothos is the easiest starter plant for water
- Change water weekly to prevent rot and bacteria
- Use room temperature water, not cold
- Add diluted fertilizer monthly because water has no nutrients
- Clear containers let you see roots but may grow algae
- Dark containers hide algae but you cannot check roots
- Herbs like basil and mint grow fast in kitchen windows
- Lucky bamboo lives in water permanently
- Start with cuttings from existing plants for free
- If you have pets at home, always check our 17 Pet Friendly Indoor Plants Safe for Curious Cats and Dogs before bringing new plants in
Questions People Ask
How do I move a soil plant to water?
Remove from soil. Wash roots gently to remove all dirt. Trim any rotten roots. Place in water. Change water frequently at first.
Can plants live in water forever?
Yes, with proper care and occasional fertilizer. Many plants thrive indefinitely in water.
Why are my roots turning brown?
Roots naturally darken with age. Mushy brown means rot. Firm brown is normal.
Do I need to fertilize water plants?
Yes. Water has no nutrients. Use liquid fertilizer at one-quarter strength monthly.
What container is best?
Any container that holds water. Clear glass lets you see roots. Dark glass prevents algae.
Can I use tap water?
Yes for most plants. Let it sit out 24 hours first. Lucky bamboo and Chinese evergreen prefer distilled.
Why is there green slime in my jar?
Algae. It grows in light. Clean the jar and change water. Use darker container next time.
How often should I change water?
Weekly for most plants. More often if water looks cloudy.
Final Thoughts
Soil is messy. Gnats are annoying. Watering schedules are stressful. Fifteen plants offer a cleaner path. Snip a cutting. Drop it in water. Watch roots grow. No dirt under your nails. No fungus gnats buzzing around.
No guessing when to water. Just clear containers and clean roots and green leaves floating in light. Try one. Put it on your windowsill. See how simple plant care can be when you let go of the soil.
