Gardening doesn’t always require soil. Hydroponics, the practice of growing plants in water, has gained popularity due to its space efficiency and the joy of cultivating plants in unconventional ways. Here’s a list of 25 herbs, vegetables, and plants you can grow in water, making your home a green and bountiful oasis.
Herbs:
Basil : Propagate basil by placing cuttings in water. Make sure the cuttings are about four inches long and change the water regularly.
Mint : This hardy herb can be grown in water from cuttings. Simply place them in a container filled with water and watch them thrive.
Oregano : Similar to basil, oregano can be propagated from cuttings. Place the stems in water and wait for roots to grow.
Sage : Take cuttings in spring and place them in water. Sage benefits from plenty of light and good air circulation.
Stevia : Known for its sweet leaves, stevia can be grown in water. It requires strong, indirect light.
Thyme : Start with a cutting from an existing plant and place it in water. Thyme needs plenty of light to develop its roots.
Lemongrass : Place the root tip in water and it will grow new shoots. Lemongrass prefers a warm environment.
Coriander : Place the stems in a glass of water and leave them in a bright spot. Change the water every few days.
basil mint oregano sage stevia thyme lemongrass coriander
Vegetables:
Lettuce : Regrow lettuce by keeping the base in a shallow bowl of water. It will regrow leaves that can be harvested.
Celery : Similar to lettuce, store the base of the celery in a bowl of water to regrow the central stalk.
Green onions : Keep the white base with the roots in water and you will get a continuous supply of green shoots.
Garlic Chives : If a garlic clove begins to sprout, place it in water. You will grow garlic chives, which can be used for cooking.
Bok Choy : Place the base in water and it will sprout new leaves.
Carrots : Place the tops of carrots in water and they will produce green vegetables. Although you won’t get new carrots, the green vegetables are edible.
Peppers : You can start peppers in water. Once sprouted, they can be transferred to pots for further growth.
lettuce celery green onions garlic chives bok choy carrots peppers
Plants:
Pothos : This popular houseplant can be easily propagated in water. Cut below a node and roots should form within a week.
Philodendron : Like pothos, cuttings can be placed in water and will soon grow roots.
Spider Plant : Place baby spider plantlets in water until roots form, then plant them in soil.
Peace Lily : This elegant plant can be grown in a vase of water with its roots submerged.
Lucky Bamboo : This plant thrives in water. Simply change the water every two weeks to keep it healthy.
African Violets : Start them from leaf cuttings in water. Once roots form, you can plant them in soil.
English Ivy : This climbing plant can be started in water. Cut off a section and submerge the cut end in water.
Coleus : Coleus cuttings can root easily in water. Once rooted, they can be planted in soil.
Begonia : Begonias can be propagated from a single leaf. Place the stem in water and wait for roots to grow.
Impatiens : These colorful flowers can also be propagated in water by cuttings.
pothos philodendron spider plant peace lily lucky bamboo african violets english ivy coleus begonia impatiens
Tips for growing in water:
Use dark containers to limit algae growth.
Change the water regularly to replenish oxygen and prevent rot.
Add liquid hydroponic fertilizer to provide essential nutrients.
Make sure the plants are getting enough light, either from a natural source or from grow lights.
Be patient; some plants take longer to root in water than others.
Hydroponic gardening can be a fun and rewarding experience. It’s a great option for those with limited space or anyone interested in exploring soilless growing. With these 25 plants, you can create your own indoor water garden and enjoy the fruits (and vegetables and herbs) of your labor.