10 Plants That Grow in Water: Nature’s Easiest Garden Hack

Discover the Beauty of Water-Grown Plants

Most plants are grown on soil or soil potting mix, which is the medium plants means to thrive.

Nevertheless, some plants can thrive in water. These plants are called hydroponic plants.

Hydroponic plants are grown without soil, using a water-based, nutrient-rich solution. These plants don't have to search for nutrients in the ground, they often grow 30--50% faster and produce higher yields. There are however, two main categories of hydroponic plants which are the;

1. Natural plants whose natural inhabitants are ponds and lakes.

2. Indoor houseplants which are transplanted or propagated into a water container. This type of planting is referred to as hydroculture.

Benefits of Growing Plants in Water

1. Hydroponic plants are best advised because of its low-maintenance, and, avoids the mess of soil which is beneficial for those with a busy lifestyle who may forget to water their plants.

Example of this is the Chinese Evergreen plant.

2. Significant water saving: Growing plants (hydroponic plants) in water actually uses 90% less water than soil-based gardening. This is because, hydroponic plants actually take the quantity of water it needs and the rest stays in reservoir. Plus, the water is reused rather than draining away or evaporating into the soil.

3. Fewer pest and disease: The utmost frustration and disappointment of any gardener is pest and disease, which makes water planting a safe method considering that there is zero weed, and, fungus gnat but a clean and healthy environment for the plant.

4. Space Efficiency: Hydroponic setups are perfect for urban dwellers or small homes, because roots don't need to spread out horizontally to find food, plants can be grown very close together or stacked in vertical and you can grow a full salad garden on a kitchen counter or a small balcony.

5. Superior Nutritional Control: Because you are in charge of the water chemistry for the water grown plant, you can actually engineer more nutritious produce, like minerals and antioxidants boost.

How to Grow Plants in Water

There are two methods to growing plants in water, which are:

1. Transplanting method: In this method, you must remove the plants carefully, clean the root, trim if necessary and secure the plant in a clean water to grow.

2. Propagation method: For the successful growth of plant with this method, you must;

* Identify the node.

* Use a clean sharp scissors to cut below the node.

* Prep the stem

* Place in water

10 Best Plants to Grow in Water

Here are 10 substantial plants you can grow in water.

1. Leafy greens like Lettuces, Spinach and Kale

2. Tomatoes

3. Strawberries

4. Herbs (Mint, Basil, Parsley, Cilantro grows incredibly well and tastes better than soil grown version)

5. Lucky Bamboo

6. Pothos (Devil's Ivy)

7. Spider plants

8. Inch plant (spider worts)

9. Philodendron

10. Aluminum plants

Tips for Keeping Water-Grown Plants Healthy

Here are few tips to keep your water grown plants healthy.

Change water regularly: Poor or dirty water can result in fungal diseases and stem or root rot, causing plants to become stressed or die.

Use purified water.

Fertilizing: Water might not produce all the needed nutrients to a water grown plant, it is, therefore, advised to use fertilizer based on the plant being water grown.

Creative Ways to Display Water-Grown Plants

Gardening should be beautiful regardless of it being an outdoor or indoor type. Here are three beautiful creative ways to beautify your hydroponic plants.

Use laboratory test tubes held in wooden wall racks. This looks sleek, scientific, and modern.

Use repurposed lightbulb to make unique, industrial-style vessels for small cuttings like Pothos or Ivy plant.

Place a small water jar inside a bell jar. This creates a miniature museum look and also helps keep humidity high around the leaves.

FAQs About Plants That Grow in Water

What plants are the easiest to grow in water?

Lucky Bamboo, Spider plant, Philodendron, pothos (devil's ivy) are examples of plants that thrive well in water, they can even be grown permanently on water.

Can a plant be grown permanently in water?

Some plants can be grown in water permanently. It is, however, essential to know plant's individual growing needs before attempting to grow in water.

Can I move a water-grown plant back into soil?

This is one of the pros of water grown plants, it can be moved back to the soil while retaining proper care.

Hydroponic plants are undoubtedly an excellent choice for enthusiastic gardeners, researchers, and lovers of aquatic creatures. The Poposoap mini water garden pond is an ideal option for an indoor hydroponic or aquaponic garden. In this setup, the pond acts as a reservoir for both plants and fish; the plants provide natural algae control while simultaneously purifying the water by absorbing the excess nitrogen and ammonia that would otherwise make the pond toxic.

READ MORE: List of Plants in the Aquatic Biome