Top 10 Indoor Plants You Can Easily Grow in Water

Looking to bring a little green into your home but don’t want to deal with messy soil or heavy pots? You’re in luck! There are plenty of indoor plants that thrive in water—no dirt required. Whether you’re tight on space, new to gardening, or just love the idea of low-maintenance plants, this list of the best plants to grow in water indoors is exactly what you need to get started.

Let’s dive into 10 beautiful and easy-to-grow houseplants that flourish with just water, sunshine, and a little love.

Why Grow Plants in Water?

Before we get into the plant list, let’s quickly talk about why you might want to grow plants hydroponically—that is, in water instead of soil:

• Low maintenance: No need to worry about overwatering or soil pests.
• Mess-free: Perfect for apartments, dorms, or anyone who doesn’t like dirt indoors.
• Fun to watch: You can actually see the roots grow in clear jars or vases.
• Easy propagation: Most water-grown plants start from simple cuttings.

Now, here are the top 10 indoor plants happy to call water their home.

1. Pothos (Epipremnum aureum)

This beautiful trailing plant is a fan favorite for a reason. Pothos is pretty much impossible to kill and grows like crazy in water. Just snip a stem with a few leaves and stick it in a jar of clean water. In a few weeks, roots will appear.

Keep it near a window with indirect sunlight and change the water every couple of weeks. That’s it! It’ll even keep growing new vines over time.

Why You’ll Love Pothos:

• Great for beginners
• Tolerates low light
• Cleans the air

2. Lucky Bamboo (Dracaena sanderiana)

Contrary to its name, Lucky Bamboo isn’t actually bamboo—but don’t let that fool you! It’s one of the most popular houseplants to grow in water, often seen in offices or homes for good luck and positive energy.

Place the stalks in a container with enough water to cover the roots (just avoid chlorinated tap water). It enjoys warm spots with filtered light.

Quick Tip:

Add some small pebbles to help support the stems upright—plus, it looks pretty too!

3. Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum)

If you’ve seen plants with long, arching green leaves and tiny baby offshoots, chances are it’s a Spider Plant. These classic plants are super easy to propagate in water.

Snip off one of the baby shoots (known as “pups”) and place it in a glass of water. It’ll start sprouting roots before you know it!

Why It’s a Great Choice:

• Kid and pet-friendly
• Removes toxins from the air
• Fast-growing

4. Philodendron

Another low-fuss beauty, most types of Philodendrons—especially the heart-leaf kind—adapt well to water. Just like Pothos, take a cutting just below a node (where leaves grow) and place it in a vase. Keep it near a sunny spot, and you’re golden.

They’ll grow happily for a long time just in clear water, and you get to enjoy their glossy, heart-shaped leaves indoors.

5. Chinese Evergreen (Aglaonema)

Love the look of lush foliage with dramatic patterns and colors? The Chinese Evergreen is your plant. While it’s more commonly grown in soil, it can do quite well in water too—especially if you’re starting from a cutting.

This plant prefers warm temperatures and soft, indirect lighting. Be mindful not to leave it in cold drafts.

6. Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum)

Peace Lilies are known for their elegant white flowers and lush green leaves. Although they’re traditionally potted, they adapt surprisingly well to water when cared for properly.

You can place the roots in water as long as they aren’t fully submerged. Use a glass container to keep the waterline below the crown of the plant—that’s where the leaves start branching.

Helpful Hint:

Change the water weekly and rinse the roots to avoid rot.

7. English Ivy (Hedera helix)

Looking for a modern vine vibe for your home décor? English Ivy is a great candidate. It’s easy to root in water and makes for lovely hanging plants or wall accents.

Clip 4-6 inch cuttings, strip the lower leaves, and place the stems in a jar. Keep them in a bright area (but not direct sun), and you’ll see rooting within two weeks.

8. Begonia

With their ornamental leaves and colorful blooms, Begonias are eye-catching plants that can also grow in water. Rex Begonias are particularly popular for their exotic foliage, but almost all types do well in hydro setups.

Cut a healthy stem and pop it into a bowl or vase of water. Just give it filtered light and change the water often for optimal growth.

9. Coleus

Coleus plants are known for their vibrant, tropical-looking leaves. They’re like the feathered peacocks of indoor plants. And lucky for us, they love water.

Snip just below a leaf node, drop it in water, and watch it root in about a week. It’ll eventually try to bloom—and when it does, snip off the flowers to encourage more leaf growth.

Why It’s Worth Adding:

• Brighten up your space instantly
• Grows quickly and roots easily
• Fun to experiment with different leaf colors

10. Mint (Mentha)

Who says functional can’t be beautiful? Mint is perfect for growing indoors in water. It smells amazing, adds greenery to your kitchen, and you can use it in drinks or cooking!

Take a cutting with a few leaves, place it in a sunny windowsill, and keep it in fresh water. Before long, your mint will be ready for use right from your window garden.

Final Thoughts

Growing plants in water is a genius way to start your own indoor garden—no soil, no fuss, and all the rewards. Whether you want something low-maintenance, stylish, or even edible, there’s an indoor water plant that’s right for you.

So what are you waiting for? Grab a glass jar, snip your favorite plant, and start your own water garden today. It’s an easy, beautiful way to bring more nature into your home—one root at a time.

Have you tried growing any of these plants in water?

Let us know which plant is your favorite—and don’t forget to share your green thumb adventures in the comments!