Plants That Grow in Water: 12 Best Indoor Plants for Water Gardens (Australia)
Growing plants in water is one of the easiest ways to bring greenery indoors. There's no soil, no mess and no guessing when to water, and watching the roots grow through clear glass is half the fun. Here are the best plants that grow in water, how to start them, and how to keep them happy in an Australian home.
12 best indoor plants that grow in water
1. Pothos (Devil's Ivy)
The easiest plant to grow in water, full stop. Pothos roots quickly from a cutting, tolerates lower light and trails beautifully over the edge of a vase. Golden, Marble Queen and Neon varieties all work.
2. Heartleaf Philodendron
Soft, heart-shaped leaves and fast roots. Like pothos, it will happily live in water long-term with a little liquid fertiliser now and then.
3. Syngonium (Arrowhead Plant)
Pretty pink, cream and green leaves that look stunning in clear glass. Syngonium roots easily and grows steadily in water.
4. Tradescantia
Fast-growing and colourful, with purple, pink or striped leaves. Snip a few stems, pop them in water and you'll see roots within a week or two.
5. Monstera
Monstera deliciosa and the smaller Monstera adansonii both root well in water from a cutting with a node. A single leaf with an aerial root makes a striking feature.
6. Lucky Bamboo
The classic water plant. Lucky bamboo (Dracaena sanderiana) grows in water indefinitely and suits bright, indirect light.
7. Peace Lily
A peace lily can be grown with its roots in water and its crown kept above the waterline. It's tolerant of lower light and flowers indoors.
8. Chinese Evergreen (Aglaonema)
Patterned, low-maintenance leaves that cope with lower light. Cuttings root slowly but reliably in water.
9. Spider Plant
Snip off a baby "spiderette" and sit its base in water. It roots fast and looks great hanging over the edge of a vase.
10. Begonia
Many cane and rex begonias root well from stem cuttings in water, adding colour and interesting leaf patterns.
11. Coleus
Bright, painterly leaves in red, lime and purple. Coleus roots in days and makes a cheerful water garden.
12. Herbs: mint and basil
Mint and basil cuttings root quickly in a sunny kitchen window, giving you fresh herbs and a pretty display at the same time.
How to grow plants in water
- Take a cutting with a node. Cut just below a node (the small bump where a leaf meets the stem). That's where new roots grow.
- Remove lower leaves. Any leaves sitting under the water will rot, so keep only the stem and node submerged.
- Use clean, room-temperature water. Filtered or rainwater is ideal. If you use tap water, let it sit out overnight first.
- Give it bright, indirect light. Avoid harsh direct sun on the glass, especially during a Perth summer, as it heats the water and encourages algae.
- Top up and refresh. Top up as the water level drops and change it completely every one to two weeks.
- Feed occasionally. For plants living in water long-term, add a few drops of diluted liquid fertiliser every month or so during spring and summer.
Water gardens vs propagation stations
A propagation station is any vessel that holds cuttings in water while they grow roots. A water garden takes the same idea further, turning a plant growing in water into a permanent living display. Either way, clear glass is best because you can see the roots and know when to change the water.
Our Little Water Gardens are hand-blown glass vessels individually formed over natural timber, so each one is a one-off. Use them as a sculptural propagation station for cuttings, or as a long-term home for a pothos or philodendron.
- Small Water Garden: a perfect first propagation station
- Medium Water Garden: room for a fuller plant
- Glass Cylinder Vase on Timber: tall and modern, great for monstera cuttings
- Made to Order Water Garden: delivered with a living plant already growing
Common questions
Can plants live in water forever?
Many can. Pothos, philodendron, lucky bamboo and syngonium can live in water long-term with fresh water and occasional fertiliser.
Why are my cuttings rotting?
Usually the water is too old, a leaf is sitting underwater, or the cutting has no node. Trim off any mushy parts, rinse the glass and start with fresh water.
Are these plants safe for pets?
Pothos, philodendron, syngonium, peace lily, monstera and aglaonema are toxic to cats and dogs if chewed, so place them out of reach. Spider plants are a pet-friendly choice.
Is a water garden a good gift?
Yes! A water garden is a low-maintenance, living gift that suits anyone, even people who don't have a green thumb.
Visit us in Perth
See our water gardens in person at Little Seedlings Gift Store, Shop 39, Dianella Plaza, or shop online with delivery Australia-wide.