52 Plants You Can Grow in Water

This guide shares a comprehensive list of plants that grow in water, including vegetables, herbs, and houseplants you can regrow at home.

Yes, you can regrow many vegetables and herbs in water. Some houseplants can even grow in water for years with the right nutrients, while others only stay in water for a short time before they need to be planted in soil.

Knowing the difference will help you get the best results. Also, most vegetables regrown in water are grown from kitchen scraps, while many herbs and houseplants are started from stem cuttings.

Plants That Grow in Water

Whether you’re a seasoned plant enthusiast or just starting your gardening journey, we’ve got you covered. So, let’s dive in and discover plants you can root in water.

Vegetables 

Here are 13 vegetables you can regrow in water:

• Cabbage
• Scallions
• Leeks
• Carrot
• Celery
• Lettuce
• Napa Cabbage
• Spinach
• Sweet Potato
• Bok Choy
• Beet Greens
• Garlic
• Onions

Don’t throw away these vegetable scraps. Instead, put them in jars of water to regrow them on your windowsill.

There’s no need to throw away carrot tops and green onions. Instead, try regrowing them in your garden or kitchen.

It’s a fun way to reuse parts of vegetables you typically discard and a great way to get free produce.

However, keep in mind that some vegetables will only grow new leaves in water. If you want them to produce a full harvest, move them to soil after they have developed roots.

A sweet potato will grow roots and leafy vines in water. Plant it in soil if you want it to produce new sweet potatoes.

Herbs

Many soft-stemmed herbs grow roots easily in water. Cut from the soft green stem—not the woody one—for the best results.

Keep the water clean and place your herbs where they receive plenty of bright, indirect light. This gives them the best chance of growing healthy roots.

Roots usually begin to grow in about 10 to 14 days. Plant your herbs in soil once their roots reach 2 inches long.

However, with proper care, some herbs, such as peppermint and basil, can continue to grow in water without soil for as long as you like. If you want to keep them in water, you can always upgrade to a larger jar to give the little roots more room to grow.

Here are 16 popular herbs you can root in water:

• Basil
• Lemongrass
• Mint
• Lemon Balm
• Oregano
• Cilantro
• Fennel
• Marjoram
• Sage
• Thyme
• Catnip
• Parsley
• Rosemary
• Stevia
• Tarragon
• Lavender

Lavender can also root in water, but it is slower and less reliable than herbs like basil or mint.

Woody herbs, such as rosemary, thyme, and lavender, usually take longer to grow roots in water than soft-stemmed herbs. Be patient, and keep the cuttings in bright, indirect light.

Houseplants

Some popular houseplants, such as Monstera and Philodendron, grow well in water. With proper care, many cuttings can stay healthy this way for a long time.

Below are 23 houseplants that you can grow in water. Some of these plants can live in water for years, while others do better after being moved to soil.

• Philodendron
• Spiderwort
• Pothos
• Wandering Jew
• Dracaena
• Impatiens
• Spider Plant
• Arrowhead Plant
• Monstera
• Coleus
• Croton
• Begonia
• Caladium
• Paperwhite
• Lucky Bamboo
• Alocasia
• Hoya
• Chinese Money Plant
• Baby’s Tears
• English Ivy
• Prayer Plant
• Rubber Plant
• African Violet

Regrowing Plant Cuttings

Regrowing plant cuttings in water is simple. Place cuttings from a well-established herb or plant in water. The cuttings will eventually produce roots.

After some time, you can plant the rooted cuttings in soil. The new plants will usually be identical to the parent plant because they are grown from cuttings.

The good news is that there are many plants that you can regrow from cuttings and scraps. Some must first be placed in water to form roots, while others can be planted directly in the soil.

Growing Requirements

Growing plants in water is not as complicated as you might think. You only need a watertight vessel to hold your cuttings or plants; then add water.

Keep the container in bright, indirect light and change the water every few days to keep it fresh.

Rainwater is one of the best choices [1]. Filtered water also works well. If you use tap water, let it sit overnight before using it if possible.

Also, keep in mind that different plants need different levels of care. It all depends on the plant, the type of vessel, and the sunlight requirements.

Care and Maintenance

You can use almost any pot or container that will hold water.

Choose a container like a mason jar to easily create your garden oasis. Just ensure the container is waterproof and avoid using metal containers that might corrode.

Water doesn’t contain the nutrients plants normally get from soil. If you plan to keep plants in water for a long time, adding nutrients can help them stay healthy.

You can add liquid fertilizer to the water. Choose a formulation designed specifically for hydroponics. However, adding nutrients to the water is optional if you have cuttings or scraps that will later be transferred to the soil.

Only use a small amount of liquid fertilizer. Too much can damage the roots.

Practical Tips

• Replace the water every 3 to 7 days to help prevent bacteria and algae from growing.
• If the water becomes cloudy or smells bad, replace it right away.
• Remove any leaves that sit below the water line. They can rot, making the water dirty.
• Clear jars make it easy to watch roots grow, but algae may form over time. Wash the container whenever you change the water.

See also: Shade-Loving Plants.

Takeaway

Many plants that grow in water can thrive with the right care. It is also a fun way to increase your plant collection and spruce up your home.

So, if you’re on a budget, consider regrowing your vegetables and herbs. You can also ask friends or family if they have healthy plants they are willing to share.

It’s a great way to save money and get new plants. You won’t have to buy seeds or mature plants at the nursery when you can regrow from cuttings in water.