I love my growing collection of houseplants, but admit I’m a semi-careless plant parent. Because of this, I learned to focus on plants that grow in water. There’s no soil to spill or worry about pets digging in my houseplants. Plus, there are fewer pests (no fungus gnats!) and I’ve discovered so many great houseplants that thrive when grown in a pot, jar, or vase filled with clean water. If you want to learn more about plants that grow in water, read on
Why focus on plants that grow in water?
There are many reasons to incorporate plants that grow in water into your indoor garden. Here are five benefits of growing plants like sweetheart philodendron and golden pothos in water.
Plants that grow in water need less maintenance. Despite having a large, thriving outdoor garden, I will admit that I find it difficult to keep track of my houseplants. The biggest chore is watering, and if like me you’re a sloppy waterer or tend to overwater your plants, growing plants in water is a low-maintenance solution. (For tips on how often to water your houseplants, see this article by Empress of Dirt)
Less mess. My plant stands, window sills, tables and countertop where I grow herbs under a grow light always have bits of soil scattered around the pots. Cat owners also know that our feline friends often enjoy digging in the soil of houseplants. Growing plants in water means there is no messy floor to clean up from regular grooming or pets.
Less pests. Houseplant pests like fungus gnats are incredibly annoying. They lay eggs in the soil of potted plants, with the larvae feeding on soil fungi. No floor, no problem!
Get MORE plants! Growing plants in water is an easy way to propagate houseplants like begonias, spider plants, and coleus. Once cut off and placed in water, the stems of many tropical plants form roots. It may take weeks or months, but you can eventually transplant the rooted plants to a pot of soil, or you can continue to enjoy them in water.
Elegant displays. I love the visual simplicity of displaying a few stems of my houseplants in vases, jars, or other containers.
