You don’t need to be stuck with dirt, smelly potting soil, or massive pots to bring greenery into your home. Just as some plants can grow just fine without soil, some can even survive in water, sand, or even air! They are a hassle-free, touch of nature in your space, ideal for someone who loves plants – but not the hassle. From cleaning your space to adding a bit of greenery, indoor plants without soil are beautiful, low-maintenance, and simply spacious enough.
If you want plants to grow indoors without soil—and, hey, who doesn’t?—here are a few you should consider. Not only are these plants great for those new to gardening, busy folks, or anyone who wants to liven up their home with some green, without getting their hands too dirty, but they’re also useful plants in and of themselves.
Spider Plant
Spider plants are prized for their arching leaves and flexibility. It’s easy to grow them in water, though; all you do is drop the plant’s roots into a glass of water and see it flourish. Change the water every couple of weeks, and you will have a healthy, happy plant that brings a bit of wild tone to your indoor space.
Pothos
Pothos have become popular for their trailing vines and heart-shaped leaves, and they grow well in water. You just cut a vine and submerge the bottom in a vase of water. Pothos are super forgiving, and their roots grow quickly, making for a lush plant very quickly.
Lucky Bamboo
Lucky bamboo isn’t bamboo, but it couldn’t make your home seem more serene. Cut stalks and place in a vase with some water submerged, pebbles to help keep them stable. This is said to be a lucky and beneficial plant for bringing positive energy, and it does well in low light.
Philodendron
Water is an easy way to take care of philodendrons, low-maintenance beauties that do well. Just cut the stem just below a leaf node and put it into a jar of water. They are fast-growing plants that will make a lovely feature, though even for a first timer, they are easy enough plants to grow with little effort. If you give them indirect light, they are good to go.
English Ivy
English ivy is a fast-growing vine that is an excellent candidate for growing in water, ensuring that you can have a dense, drippy-looking vine on your shelf or desk. Pluck a cutting and stick it in water, and in no time you’ll see roots grow. Cooler indoor temperatures are ideal for English ivy and thus an unsurpassed choice for almost any space in your home.
Air Plant (Tillandsia)
Air plants don’t need soil or water to grow; they absorb everything they need via their leaves. What these guys need is misting with water about once a week and plenty of bright, indirect light. Glass globes, leaning on the driftwood or right on the shelf, always look nice with these quirky plants.
Peace Lily
Peace lilies can tolerate water and look lovely in any room. Put the roots in water, sometimes with the leaves above the surface. Peace lilies require a little bit more light than some of the plants on this list; best placed near a window for maximum effect.
Wandering Jew
The striking purple and green leaves of this plant make it a preferred choice among indoor plants. To grow a wandering jew plant in water, take a cutting, and submerge the base of the cutting in a glass container. This plant’s roots will grow quickly and bring a vibrant splash of colors to any room.
Chinese Evergreen
Chinese evergreens are healthy plants with great variegated leaves, and can survive in water too. Just cut some down, place them in a container of water, making sure the base is covered. They do well in low light and are low maintenance; busy plant lovers love them.
Coleus
For stunning, patterned leaves that color our interiors, Coleus plants are ideal, and they flower equally well in water. Roots will form on a cutting, and the plant will keep growing. It likes bright, indirect light, and its colorful leaves make it brighten any indoor location.
Dracaena
Long slender leaves and being hardy are good reasons to grow dracaenas. There are lots of types of dracaena that can grow in water if their roots stay moist. Set the plant’s base in water, and drop a few pebbles underneath to secure the plant and admire the upright, tropical look without the need for soil.
Orchids
Orchids don’t even need soil – in fact, they prefer to grow in bark or even hanging in the air. When you stick the roots in a tiny vase of water and keep it there, you’re letting the roots breathe and soak up moisture without being drowned. There are no indoor species of these elegant flowers, but the flowers thrive in indirect light and can add a bit of beauty to your home.
Aloe Vera
Aloe vera can grow without soil, although it’s not too conventional. You just put the plant’s base in water with some pebbles to support, and the plant will provide its own. Aloe vera loves the sun, so put it right next to a bright window, and you have an easy-to-care-for, useful plant.
Papyrus
You can grow Papyrus plants in water containers – these plants have long grass-like stems with feathery tops. Submerging the roots in a few inches of water will keep this ancient Egyptian plant thriving. It’s a great choice if you want to introduce a little of the tropical, particularly for those who work from home.
Mint
Mint is a lovely perennial to grow in a big pot in the kitchen, because it really grows fast in water, so it’s handy to have on the go for cooking. Direct a cutting to the glass of water, and within days, it starts to grow roots. The fresh mint will give your kitchen a nice scent and some green, and, most importantly, your recipes some flavor.
