You don’t need bags of potting soil or bulky planters to bring more greenery into your home. Some plants can grow in water, while others can live without traditional soil when given the right setup.
Growing plants without soil can also mean less mess around the house, which is a nice bonus if you enjoy greenery but don’t love dealing with dirt. If you’re looking for an easy way to grow plants indoors, these 15 options are a good place to start.
Spider Plant
Spider plants are known for their long, arching leaves and small plantlets that make them easy to propagate. Place a cutting or plantlet in water with the roots submerged, change the water regularly, and you’ll soon have a fresh plant growing without a pot of soil.
Related: 15 Houseplants That Thrive Even When Neglected
Pothos
Pothos is one of the easiest houseplants to grow from cuttings in water. Snip a section of vine just below a leaf node, place the node in water, and watch the roots develop.
Lucky Bamboo
Lucky bamboo is actually a type of Dracaena, and it can grow happily in water with a little support. Place the stalks in a container with water and a few pebbles to keep them upright, then keep the plant in bright, indirect light.
Philodendron
Philodendrons root readily in water, making them a favorite for simple plant propagation. Cut just below a leaf node, place the stem in water, and give it plenty of indirect light while the roots develop.
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English Ivy
English ivy can be started from cuttings in water and makes an attractive trailing plant. Place a healthy cutting in a glass with the lower portion submerged, then move it to a larger setup once the roots have developed.
Air Plant (Tillandsia)
Air plants are different from most houseplants because they don’t need soil at all. Air plants take in moisture and nutrients through their leaves, so regular soaking or misting, along with bright, indirect light, is important.
Peace Lily
Peace lilies can be grown in water for a period of time, provided the roots have access to oxygen and the leaves stay above the waterline. A bright spot with indirect light works well, and the water should be changed regularly to keep it fresh.
Wandering Jew
Wandering Jew, also called Tradescantia, roots quickly from cuttings placed in water. Its purple, green, or striped leaves add plenty of color, and the plant can later be moved into soil once the roots are well established.
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Chinese Evergreen
Chinese evergreen cuttings can root in water, making them an easy project for anyone starting with plant propagation. Keep the lower part of the stem submerged and place the container in low to medium indirect light.
Coleus
Coleus is easy to start from cuttings, and its colorful leaves can make a glass of water look surprisingly pretty. Place a cutting below a leaf node in water, then wait for roots to form before moving it into soil or continuing with a water-growing setup.
Dracaena
Some Dracaena varieties can be grown in water, especially from stem cuttings. Keep the lower part of the stem in fresh water and give it bright, indirect light while new roots develop.
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Orchids
Orchids don’t grow in regular potting soil the way many houseplants do, and their roots need plenty of air. Many orchids are grown in bark or other airy materials, while specialized water-growing methods can also work when moisture and drying periods are carefully managed.
Aloe Vera
Aloe vera is a succulent that typically grows best in well-draining soil, so keeping it in water long-term isn’t ideal. It can be propagated in water for a short period, but once roots develop, moving it into a dry, well-draining growing medium is usually the better choice.
Papyrus
Papyrus naturally grows in wet conditions, which makes it one of the better choices for water-based growing. Keep its roots in a container with plenty of water and place it somewhere with bright light for a lush display.
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Mint
Mint grows quickly from cuttings placed in water, making it an easy plant to keep on a kitchen windowsill. Put a fresh cutting in a glass with the lower leaves removed, and roots can start forming within days.
