Growing plants in water is one of the easiest and most beautiful ways to bring greenery indoors.
You don’t need soil, messy pots, or frequent repotting—just a glass container, fresh water, and a bit of sunlight.
Many houseplants can thrive hydroponically, but some species grow especially fast, making them perfect for anyone who wants quick results and lush greenery.
I have added 11 popular indoor plants that grow quickly in water, how to care for them, and tips to make your water garden thrive.
Why Choose Water-Grown Plants?
Water propagation and hydroponic growing offer numerous advantages over traditional soil-based gardening.
First, there’s no soil mess to deal with, making it perfect for clean indoor environments.
You can easily monitor root development and plant health through clear containers.
Water-grown plants also eliminate concerns about overwatering, underwatering, or soil-borne pests and diseases.
Additionally, water propagation is incredibly cost-effective.
Many of these plants can be started from cuttings taken from existing plants, allowing you to expand your collection without purchasing new specimens.
The transparent nature of water growing also creates beautiful decorative elements that showcase both foliage and root systems.
1. Lucky Bamboo (Dracaena sanderiana)
Lucky bamboo is one of the most popular water-grown plants. Despite its name, it’s not actually bamboo but a member of the Dracaena family.
It grows exceptionally well in water and is often associated with Feng Shui, symbolizing luck, prosperity, and positive energy.
To grow lucky bamboo in water, place the stalks in a clear glass vase with about two to three inches of water.
Ensure the roots are submerged while the stalk remains above the waterline. This plant thrives in indirect light and requires water changes every 7 to 10 days. For best results, use filtered or distilled water since lucky bamboo is sensitive to chemicals like chlorine and fluoride.
One of the best things about lucky bamboo is its fast-growing nature.
You can notice new leaves sprouting within weeks, and with proper care, it can grow several inches each year. Some people even shape the stalks into spirals or braids, making it both a decorative and symbolic plant for the home.
2. Pothos (Epipremnum aureum)
Pothos, also known as Devil’s Ivy, is famous for being nearly indestructible. It’s one of the fastest-growing indoor plants that adapts beautifully to water propagation.
Its trailing vines and heart-shaped leaves make it a top choice for indoor gardeners.
To grow pothos in water, simply cut a stem with at least one node (where the leaf joins the stem) and place it in a jar of water.
Keep the leaves above water and the nodes submerged. Within a few weeks, you’ll notice roots growing rapidly, and soon after, new leaves will appear.
Pothos can grow indefinitely in water if provided with clean water and occasional liquid fertilizer. It doesn’t require soil at all, making it perfect for modern minimalistic homes.
The growth rate is impressive—under the right conditions, pothos vines can grow several feet long in just a few months, giving your room a lush jungle-like feel.
3. Philodendron (Philodendron hederaceum)
Philodendrons are close cousins of pothos and equally easy to grow in water.
The heartleaf philodendron, in particular, is well-suited for water propagation. It produces glossy green leaves that climb or trail, depending on how you style it.
Start by cutting a healthy stem with two to three nodes and placing it in a water-filled jar.
The roots start developing within a couple of weeks, and soon the plant begins producing new foliage. Unlike many other houseplants, philodendrons adapt to water permanently and can grow quickly without needing to be transferred into soil.
Philodendrons are resilient and require little attention—just indirect sunlight and clean water.
You can display them in clear glass containers to showcase the roots, adding an elegant touch to your décor.
Given their rapid growth, you may find yourself trimming the vines often to maintain shape or to propagate more cuttings.
4. Coleus (Coleus scutellarioides)
Coleus is a vibrant plant known for its colorful foliage, which ranges from green and yellow to red, purple, and pink.
What makes coleus especially attractive for indoor gardening is its ability to grow quickly in water. With its striking leaves, it’s a great option if you want both speed and visual variety.
To propagate coleus in water, take a cutting just below a leaf node and remove the lower leaves.
Place the stem in water, making sure at least one node is submerged. Roots usually appear within a week, and new growth follows soon after.
Coleus grows vigorously in water, though eventually, you might want to move it to soil for long-term health.
However, if you refresh the water regularly and provide enough light, it can thrive indoors for months. The colorful foliage makes coleus stand out among other green water plants, bringing brightness and personality into any room.
5. Chinese Evergreen (Aglaonema)
Chinese evergreen is another indoor plant that adapts well to growing in water. It is admired for its lush, variegated leaves that come in shades of green, silver, pink, and red.
This plant not only looks exotic but also grows quickly once established in water.
To grow Chinese evergreen hydroponically, cut a healthy stem and place it in water, ensuring the cut end is submerged.
Like lucky bamboo, it prefers filtered water without heavy chemicals. Within a few weeks, roots will begin to develop, and soon new foliage will emerge.
Chinese evergreen is also known for being one of the best air-purifying plants, making it a perfect addition to bedrooms, living rooms, or offices.
With proper care—such as indirect light and regular water changes—it can thrive and grow into a bushy, vibrant plant that elevates the look of your indoor space.
6. Wandering Jew (Tradescantia zebrina)
The wandering jew, also known as inch plant, is one of the fastest-growing indoor plants you can grow in water.
Its trailing stems feature vibrant purple and green striped leaves that add a dramatic pop of color to any setting.
To propagate wandering jew, cut a few healthy stems and place them in water with the nodes submerged. You’ll see roots forming in less than a week, and the stems will continue producing new shoots quickly.
Because it grows so rapidly, you may need to trim and propagate it often to keep it under control.
This plant thrives in bright, indirect light and regular water changes. Its fast growth and bold colors make it an excellent choice for hanging jars or decorative glass containers.
Wandering jew also pairs beautifully with other water-grown plants for a striking indoor arrangement.
7. Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum)
Spider plants are classic houseplants known for their easy care and air-purifying abilities.
What many don’t realize is that spider plants can grow just as well in water, and their baby offshoots (often called spiderettes) root incredibly fast.
To grow spider plants in water, snip off a spiderette and place it in a glass container with water.
Within a week, you’ll notice roots forming. Over time, the baby plant will grow larger leaves and can remain in water for months, if not years, as long as the water is refreshed regularly.
Spider plants grow quickly and send out multiple spiderettes, so one parent plant can lead to dozens of new water-grown plants.
This makes them an excellent option if you want to create a green collection in your home or share cuttings with friends. Their arching leaves and quick growth make spider plants a favorite for windowsills, offices, and bedrooms.
8. Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum)
Peace lilies are among the most recognized indoor plants for air purification. They are especially known for their ability to absorb pollutants such as benzene, formaldehyde, and carbon monoxide.
When grown in water, peace lilies not only look elegant but also function as natural filters for your indoor environment.
To grow a peace lily in water, remove the plant gently from soil and wash the roots to eliminate dirt.
Place it in a glass vase with enough water to cover the roots while keeping the crown above the waterline. It requires indirect light and prefers distilled or filtered water to avoid chemical buildup.
Peace lilies are also admired for their white blooms, which add a touch of sophistication to any room.
With proper care, they thrive in water for years, providing both beauty and fresh air indoors.
9. English Ivy (Hedera helix)
English ivy transforms beautifully from a soil plant to a water specimen, often showing accelerated growth and more vibrant coloration in hydroponic conditions.
This trailing plant develops roots quickly, typically within 5-7 days, and produces long, cascading vines perfect for hanging displays.
The distinctive lobed leaves come in various sizes and patterns, from small, delicate varieties to larger, more dramatic forms.
Variegated English ivy varieties, featuring cream, yellow, or white markings, are particularly striking in water culture and often show more pronounced variegation than soil-grown plants.
Water-grown English ivy tends to produce longer internodes (spaces between leaves), creating more elegant trailing effects.
The plant’s ability to purify air while growing in water makes it both beautiful and functional for indoor environments.
10. Begonia
Certain begonia varieties, particularly wax begonias and some cane-type begonias, adapt surprisingly well to water culture.
These plants challenge the assumption that flowering plants can’t thrive in water environments while providing both colorful blooms and attractive foliage.
Water-grown begonias often develop more substantial root systems than their soil counterparts and may produce more continuous blooming cycles.
The fleshy stems and bright flowers create stunning displays, especially when multiple varieties are combined in large containers.
Rex begonias, while primarily grown for foliage, also perform well in water culture and showcase their dramatic leaf patterns more prominently when grown hydroponically.
These varieties root quickly and maintain their distinctive coloration and patterns indefinitely in water.
11. Mint (Mentha species)
Mint varieties represent some of the most rewarding and practical water-grown plants, combining rapid growth with culinary utility.
These aromatic herbs root faster than almost any other plant, often showing substantial root development within just 2-3 days when placed in water.
All mint varieties excel in water culture, from common spearmint and peppermint to more exotic varieties like chocolate mint, apple mint, or mojito mint.
The plants produce dense, square stems characteristic of the mint family, along with fragrant leaves that release their oils when touched, filling your space with natural aromatherapy.
Water-grown mint often grows more vigorously than soil-grown specimens, producing longer stems and more abundant foliage.
The plants can be harvested continuously for culinary use while maintaining healthy growth, making them both decorative and functional additions to kitchens or dining areas.
Starting mint in water is remarkably simple – cut 4-6 inch stems from healthy plants, remove lower leaves, and place in water.
Roots appear quickly, and new growth begins almost immediately. Mint can live indefinitely in water, though it benefits from occasional trimming to prevent flowering, which can reduce leaf quality.
The extensive root systems that develop in water create beautiful displays, especially when grown in clear containers. Multiple mint varieties can be combined in large vessels to create aromatic gardens that provide fresh herbs year-round while serving as attractive living displays.
Tips for Growing Plants Faster in Water
While these seven plants naturally grow fast in water, you can accelerate their growth and keep them healthy with a few extra tips:
- Use clean water: Filtered or distilled water is best, as tap water often contains chemicals that can harm roots.
- Change water regularly: Replace the water every 7–10 days to prevent bacteria and algae buildup.
- Provide indirect sunlight: Most water-grown plants thrive in bright, indirect light rather than direct sunlight.
- Fertilize occasionally: A diluted liquid fertilizer once a month gives plants extra nutrients for faster growth.
- Trim and propagate: Regular pruning encourages new growth and prevents plants from becoming leggy.
- Use clear containers wisely: While clear jars let you see the roots, they can also encourage algae growth. Wrap the container in dark paper if algae becomes a problem.
Growing plants in water is a simple, mess-free, and beautiful way to enjoy greenery indoors.
From the elegant lucky bamboo to the colorful coleus and fast-growing pothos, each of these seven plants offers quick results and easy care.
They’re perfect for beginners, small spaces, and anyone who loves the charm of water gardens.
With just a little attention, these plants will reward you with vibrant leaves, fresh air, and a touch of natural beauty in your home.