Many houseplants don’t need soil to grow. A simple cutting placed in water can develop roots and continue growing for months or even years. It’s an easy way to multiply plants you already have and keep greenery in your home without dealing with pots of soil.
Here are 12 houseplants that do well in water.
Chinese Money Plant
The Chinese Money Plant stands out with round, coin-shaped leaves that sit on thin stems. It grows well from cuttings placed in water and handles low light without much trouble. It’s often kept for its simple look and is sometimes associated with good fortune.
English Ivy
English Ivy grows long trailing vines that look good spilling over shelves or hanging containers. Cuttings root easily in water and keep growing with basic care. It prefers low to moderate light and brings a soft, cascading look to indoor spaces.
Spider Plant
Spider plants are known for their arching leaves and small offshoots that appear on long stems. These offshoots root quickly in water. The plant adjusts well to different lighting conditions and is often chosen for its forgiving nature and air-purifying qualities.
Pothos
Pothos is one of the easiest plants to grow in water. Cuttings root quickly and continue to produce long, trailing vines. It handles different lighting setups and keeps growing even with inconsistent care, making it a common starter plant.
African Violet
African Violets can be started from leaf cuttings in water. They prefer steady moisture and bright, indirect light. Their soft, rounded leaves and small blooms make them a good fit for windowsills and small indoor spaces.
Ficus Benjamina (Weeping Fig)
Weeping Fig can be propagated from healthy stem cuttings placed in water. It grows into a plant with graceful, drooping branches and dense green foliage. A cutting about 4–6 inches long with a few leaves at the top usually roots over time when kept in clean water and indirect light.
Lucky Bamboo
Lucky Bamboo grows fully in water without soil. It does well in low to medium light and is often kept in simple glass containers. Many people keep it for its upright growth and decorative look.
Peace Lily
Peace Lily cuttings can adapt to water growth. The plant has glossy leaves and white blooms that stand out indoors. It does well in low light and shows clear signs when it needs water, with leaves that droop slightly.
Chinese Evergreen
Chinese Evergreen cuttings can continue growing in water for long periods. The plant comes in different leaf patterns and colors, ranging from deep green to silver tones. It fits well in low-light indoor areas.
Caladium
Caladium grows from tubers and can be started in water before moving to soil or kept in water for display. Its heart-shaped leaves come in pink, red, white, and green patterns. It prefers warmth and filtered light.
Prayer Plant (Maranta leuconeura)
Prayer Plant cuttings root in water and keep their patterned leaves, which fold slightly at night. The mix of green, red, and cream tones makes it visually striking indoors.
Monstera
Monstera cuttings root easily in water and develop large, split leaves over time. It adjusts to indoor conditions and grows into a bold, tropical-looking plant with minimal upkeep.
