10 Easy Plants to Propagate in Water
Did you know that some plants can only grow in water? Everybody understands that plants require water, sunlight, and space to flourish. Space is the third requirement. It could be soil, peat moss, clay pebbles, or water. Many people utilize water gardening to expand their plant collections.
Choosing easy plants to propagate in water simplifies the process even more. If you solely choose low-maintenance water plants, you won’t require a sophisticated hydroponics system. If you become weary of watering your plants, you can place them in the earth.
How to Propagate Indoor Plants in Water
Using a water-only medium, you can grow cuttings of numerous houseplants in practically any water-retaining object. Glass containers are attractive to atheists because they show the plant’s roots, and glass is fantastic for gardening. Still, an opaque vase can be a better option if you want to put in less effort. Algae likes to grow on glass.
Before placing the plant on a shelf, ensure access to adequate light. Different plants require different levels of sunlight and shade.
To ensure your plant receives the nutrients it requires, change the water frequently (if possible, chlorine-free water) and use a water-soluble fertiliser at 1/4 strength. Most of the time, plants obtain these nutrients from the soil.
10 Best Indoor Plants to Propagate in Water
Here are 10 water plants that can propagate without soil. These plants are not only easy to propagate but also add a lush, green touch to your home:
1. Baby’s Tears (Soleirolia soleirolii)
Baby’s tears plants are creeping plants that generate a dense yet delicate trailing mat made up of many little leaves.
Take a handful of stems and roots, and see how quickly this plant adapts to life in water. The profuse leaf growth on baby’s torn plants renders them prone to leaf rot if left in water all the time.
Once the roots have grown, you can lower the water level and change it frequently to remove any floating leaves.
2. Coleus (Plectranthus scutellarioides)
Every spring, a plethora of new coleus species enter the market, allowing you to construct an entire garden design around the colourful leaves of this tropical plant.
The cost of coleus plants has risen in parallel with their growing demand. However, coleus plants are water-loving and easy to propagate, so you can quickly build a colony of these lovely plants.
Take a six-inch slice and remove the bottom four inches of leaves. After soaking the cutting in water for a few weeks, you should see the beginnings of root formation.
If you want your coleus plants to thrive, add a small amount of compost tea to the water every month when you replace it.
3. Lucky Bamboo (Dracaena sanderiana)
If you’re searching for a live centrepiece that doesn’t require soil, consider these hardy stalks.
Although training fortunate bamboo stalks into spirals or weaving designs has no effect on the plant’s water-growing capacity, it can cause plants to become top-heavy and require more than just water to stay upright.
Surrounding your lucky bamboo with coloured stones or rocks can increase its aesthetic value while providing stability.
4. Philodendron (Philodendron spp)
Do you remember your mother’s seemingly never-ending trailing philodendron on the windowsill? This beginner-friendly houseplant is an excellent choice for your first effort at water gardening.
Every well-established philodendron will gladly donate a few stems to water cultivation, and the resulting arrangements look great when displayed in vases.
Philodendrons can take a wide range of light conditions, but if you notice that your plants are producing more stems than leaves, increase the intensity of your lighting.
5. Pothos (Epipremnum aureum)
This trailing vine is native to the South Pacific and has green leaves resembling hearts. Its leaves occasionally have white, yellow, or light green stripes.
A three- or four-noded pothos vine should be pruned to an appropriate length. The vine’s bottom leaves will perish if kept in water for an extended period, so remove them.
Over a month, pothos can grow more than one foot tall.
6. Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum)
The name “spider plant” refers to the long and thin leaves. Take plantlets or cuttings from the plant. Spider plants have little tuft-like growths on their ends. Cut the plantlet from the stolon with clean, sharp tools.
Cut stems from roots quickly. Add fresh water every three to five days. Mix feed and water once each month. Light the plant from the side with bright light. Never let leaves fall into the water. The plant’s roots should only be in water. Place rocks around the base of the glass to allow the roots to attach to them.
7. English Ivy (Hedera helix)
English Ivy is an invasive plant that spreads swiftly and in various ways. It’s a climbing vine, and its most essential feature is its everlasting leaves.
Ivy plant cuts can establish roots in water, which is quite simple. The entire process normally takes two to three weeks. Put the cutting in a jar and place it in a well-lit window.
8. Peace Lilly (Spathiphyllum spp)
The large, bright green leaves of a peace lily in bloom stand out, as does the white spathe, sometimes known as the “flag of surrender” sheath.
Use either a narrow vase or a plain, tall glass to water peace lilies. The tall glass will support the plant’s base above the water, while the narrow vase will hold the stems at the container’s entrance. Use a narrow-necked vase, a layer of small river rocks or pea gravel to lift the plant’s base over the water. Water is necessary for root growth, but excess water can cause the plant’s base and leaves to decay.
Remove the plant from its pot and run water over its roots to clean them. Put the plant in water until it reaches its roots. You need to refill the water line because it is running low. It’s critical to change the water every two weeks.
9. Lotus (Nelumbo spp)
The lotus flower’s round form and central radial notch make it appear to float on top of the water.
Under the muck, the plant’s roots grow, and a branch emerges into the water. To get the same result, a dwarf lotus plant can be placed in a tiny bowl six inches wide and filled with pea gravel, which will provide support for the plant’s roots.
During the usual growing season, feed your plants with hydroponic fertilisers. However, do not use any throughout the winter. Change it every few weeks or anytime you see the water becoming foggy.
This plant can tolerate full sunlight and temperatures exceeding 32 degrees Fahrenheit. However, it will die if temperatures drop below freezing.
10. Rosemary (Salvia rosmarinus)
Rhubarb plants require two to six weeks to establish roots in water. Take six-inch cuttings from newly grown stems, immerse them in water (but do not remove the lowest leaves), and set the plant in direct sunshine. Change the pot’s water at least once every day.
Rosemary plants grown in water require hydroponic feed to be healthy and grow over time.
5 Water Propagation Mistakes You Need to Avoid
Growing new plants in water from seeds is possible, but things can go wrong. If you want your plants to thrive in their wet habitat, avoid these five common mistakes:
- Using the Wrong Container
Some glass pots, despite their attractive appearance, can promote algae growth, which is harmful to plants. Dark pots are ideal for low-maintenance plants since they hide light and prevent algae growth.
- Ignoring Light Requirements
Varied plants require quite varied levels of light. If you place your plant in the improper light, it may develop slowly or cease growing altogether. Before you place your plant on a ledge, determine how much light it requires.
- Neglecting Water Changes
Bacteria thrive in stagnant water, which appears hazy and dark. Change the water frequently to keep it clean and fresh. If you want the plant’s roots to stay healthy, irrigate it without chlorine.
- Overcrowding the Container
If handled properly, having too many plants in a pot might ensure their growth and prevent them from decaying. Allow each cutting plenty of room to grow roots without getting in the way. If necessary, use different pots to spread your plants out.
- Forgetting to Fertilize
Plants grown in water require the same nutrients as plants grown in soil. You can provide these nutrients using a water-soluble fertiliser that is only 1/4 as powerful. Your plants will probably wilt and die without it.
FAQs
Q. Which Plants Can I Propagate In Water?You can propagate a wide variety of plants in water. Some of the easiest and most popular ones include:
- Pothos (Epipremnum aureum)
- Philodendron (Philodendron spp.)
- Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum)
- Coleus (Plectranthus scutellarioides)
- English Ivy (Hedera helix)
- Lucky Bamboo (Dracaena sanderiana)
- Baby’s Tears (Soleirolia soleirolii)
Several plants can thrive indefinitely in water without ever needing soil. These include:
- Lucky Bamboo (Dracaena sanderiana)
- Philodendron (Philodendron spp.)
- Pothos (Epipremnum aureum)
- Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum)
- Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum spp.)
- Baby’s Tears (Soleirolia soleirolii)
- Lotus (Nelumbo spp.) (when grown with a proper hydroponic setup)
With proper care, propagated plants can survive in water for an extended period, if not forever. Change the water frequently, remove debris or algae, and add nutrients with a water-soluble fertilizer. Pothos and fortunate bamboo are two plants that may survive for years underwater.
Q. Which Homemade Fertilizers Are Best for Water Propagation?
Plants grown in water can receive all the nutrients they require from homemade fertilizers. Here are some top choices:
- Compost Tea: Make a nutrient-dense tea by steeping compost in water.
- Crushed Eggshells: To add calcium to plant water, soak crushed eggshells in water.
- Epsom Salt Solution: Dissolve one teaspoon of Epsom salt in one gallon of water to make a magnesium and sulphur solution.
- Banana Peel Water: Soak banana peels in water for a few days to create nutrient-infused water. Then, use this water to water your plants.
