A Guide to Plants That Propagate in Water
Expand your plant population by growing new plants from clippings.
Houseplants are in again – in fact, today they are more popular than ever. With good reason: plants add natural texture, soften angular lines, and purify the air. Gardening – both indoor and out – has also been shown to boost mood, lower stress, and make people happier in general.
The good news is you only need a few starter plants to fill your entire home with live greenery because you can propagate many popular and easy-to-find houseplants in water. That is, you snip off a clipping, place it in water, find it a sunny spot, and wait for it to root. Then you stick it in some dirt, water it a bit, give it some light, and voila… you have a whole new plant! Read on to learn all about specific plants that propagate in water.
In this guide:
What Tools Do You Need?
Plants That Propagate in Water
Frequently Asked Questions
What Tools Do You Need?
Propagating plants in water is not only fun and easy, but it's also inexpensive. Before you start propagating, you'll need a pair of gardening shears, tap water, and some clear containers, like small vases and jars. And, of course, a healthy starter plant. Some people choose to use a root growth hormone, but with most plants, it's not necessary. Once your plants start growing roots, you'll need potting soil and planters for your new additions.
Not only is pothos easy to propagate, but it's incredibly easy to grow. It doesn't need bright light (although it can handle it) and is content with just some regular watering. To propagate pothos, simply snip off a bit of the plant that has several leaves and several small brown nodes, which are essentially the buds of roots ready to spring into action. Place the cutting in tap water, making sure the nodes are fully underwater. Roots should appear in two to three weeks.
Also called mother-in-law's tongue, these spiky plants are also easy to grow and propagate. Simply cut off a healthy leaf, place it in enough water to fully cover the bottom of the leaf, put it in indirect light, and wait for roots.
One of the most common indoor potted trees, money plants are said to bring luck, calm, and financial success to those who grow them. To propagate money trees in water, cut a six-inch branch with leaves and nodes, trim off the lower leaves, and place in enough water to cover the nodes. Transfer the plant to sandy, well-drained soil as soon as the roots appear, as it can't thrive in water only for very long.
Yes, you can make baby versions of this very popular indoor plant. The best time to propagate new fiddle leaf figs is in the spring, but you can do it anytime. Ideally, you'd let the tap water sit overnight to let the chlorine escape or use distilled water. Then, cut a leaf with about three inches of stem and place it in the water. Place it in some bright light, change the water regularly, and in about a month, you'll have a baby fig.
There are multiple varieties of philodendron, ranging from small mounding plants to large, bold-leafed varieties. Popular, low maintenance, and able to grow in all kinds of light, all philodendrons can be propagated by placing a clipping – usually a leaf and stalk or vine – in water. You should start seeing roots in a few weeks.
Another popular, easy-to-grow houseplant with lush green foliage, the ZZ Plant is another plant that propagates in water when you cut off a leaf and stem. The ZZ Plant takes a bit longer to root than many other plants, about three to four months.
Succulents come in all shapes and sizes and are incredibly popular right now, likely because they are amazingly easy to grow. They are also pet-friendly, whereas some other houseplants are not. To propagate succulents, simply lop off a leaf or a leaf and stem, drop it in some water, and when you see the roots, put it in some well-drained, sandy soil. They do need bright light when propagating, which can take three to six weeks.
Most cooks love having fresh herbs on hand, but not everyone has outdoor space for an herb garden. If you've got a sunny spot inside, growing herbs inside is an option. To keep your garden going, you can propagate new herb plants from existing ones by placing cuttings in water. Herbs that are the easiest to propagate in water include sage, stevia, thyme, mint, basil, oregano, and lemon balm.
Monstera are lush, tropical plants with shiny, interesting leaves. They're easy to grow with flexible light needs and can get quite large if allowed. When propagating in water, make sure you get a cutting with nodes. Place it in bright, indirect light and roots should appear in several weeks.
Rubber plants, a type of ficus plant, have been popular houseplants for years. They're sturdy, need only medium light, weekly watering, and can grow to be about three feet tall. To propagate, all you need is a leaf with a stem placed in two inches of water. Keep it warm and change the water weekly for faster rooting.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you propagate pothos in water?
Snip off a plant piece with several leaves and nodes, place in water, and wait for roots.
What is the best time to propagate fiddle leaf figs?
The best time to propagate fiddle leaf figs is in the spring.
How long does it take for a ZZ plant to root in water?
The ZZ plant takes about three to four months to root in water.
Written by Amy Wright
