f you wish to nurture some greenery at home, without devoting much time, the easiest option is to grow plants in the water. “There are several benefits to growing plants in water. It requires minimum maintenance. It is not messy and most of these plants are also disease and pest-resistant,” says Vinayak Garg, founder, of Lazy Gardener.
Indoor water plants are plants that grow in partially or completely in water, with their roots in or underwater. Here is a guide on growing and maintaining such plants at home.
Indoor plants that can easily grow in water
Philodendron
These are excellent houseplants that grow in water. Place the plant in a bright area but not direct sunlight. To promote the growth of these indoor plants in water, change the water every week till the roots start growing. Later, change the water every month.
Aglaonema
This is one of the popular water plants for home. Many people choose this plant, as its roots grow easily. Many indoor plants grow in water and adapt themselves to the environment. These are ideal for bottles or vases with narrow necks. The leaves of the Chinese evergreen plants or aglaonema species come in eye-catching color variants. Change the water every two days.
Pothos
This air purifying water creeper can aesthetically enhance any desk, table, wall, or bathroom, as it can be arranged in different ways. Money plant (Pothos) is an easy-to-grow indoor water plant. You can grow money plants from its cuttings, in a jar filled with tap water. Change the water every 20 days and clean the jar to keep any algae away.
Also read: Kitchen gardening tips for beginners
Wandering Jew
Wandering Jew or Tradescantia zebrina is a perennial evergreen plant that adds to the aesthetic vibe in any room with its lovely leaves that are green in the center and have hues of purple on its underside. Avoid too much direct sunlight as it can prevent its roots from growing. One of the popular water plants for home, Wandering Jew plants are extremely resilient and sturdy houseplants.
See also: Water fountain for home Vastu: Tips to bring positive energy
Syngonium
Syngonium or arrowhead makes for an interesting addition to water plants indoors. This low-maintenance plant can also be grown successfully without soil. Place a glass jar where the plant can get bright, indirect sunlight. A window sill or tabletop is a good location for growing arrowhead vines in water. In any case, avoid direct sun exposure. These indoor water plants can reduce components of indoor air pollution.
Lucky bamboo
Thanks to Feng Shui, lucky bamboo is one of the most popular plants, as it is believed to attract positive energy and good luck. Fill a container with enough water to cover the roots of these indoor water plants. Place the bamboo plant in indirect sunlight. Use pebbles and marbles to balance the stems of the plant and hold it in place in the water. Change the water every fortnight.
Says Surbhi Mehta, a homemaker from Pune, who has arranged indoor water plants in her living room and study: “In two vases, I have tall spiral bamboos and in between them, I have kept a Buddha idol on a tray filled with small rocks and a fountain. I enjoy nurturing indoor water plants, as it creates a Zen-like ambiance at home.”
See also: Lucky plants for the home
Chinese Evergreen and Dumbcane
The Chinese evergreen is an excellent low-light interior plant that is also simple to cultivate, for newbies. Chinese evergreens are renowned for their stunning leaves, which come in a variety of patterns and colors, including green, white, red, and pinkish. Chinese evergreen blooms resemble miniature lily flowers that pop out now and then, although they are not particularly striking. The plants thrive to become three feet in height and broad and develop slowly, so you can use them as countertop plants at first and then as carpet plants subsequently.
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Spider Plant
Even for beginners, a spider plant is one of the easiest houseplants to grow. It is one of the most intriguing plants to grow as well. It has lengthy, slender leaves that sprout in rosettes that droop over through the pot’s rim. Position the plant inside an area with strong to moderate sunlight and a pleasant temperature. Maintain a minimal moisture level in the soil. In the spring and early summer, once-weekly watering is adequate; in the winter, let the soil dry out a little more during waterings. Replenish your houseplants every two to three weeks with appropriate potted plant fertilizer.
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Arrowhead Plant
Alternative names for the arrowhead plant include arrowhead vine, American evergreen, five fingers, and nephthytis. The arrowhead plant is commonly grown as a houseplant, even though it may be grown outdoors in certain areas. For added interest, the arrowhead plant can be cultivated independently or in a blended planting. However, as the plant grows and matures, it will start to vine, so growing the arrowhead plant in a dangling basket may be a smart choice. Similarly, the plant can be trained to sustain itself on a pole or lattice.
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Coleus
Coleus plants have square stems and leaves that are positioned squarely opposing each other. It bears miniature blue to white flowers, although they are unimpressive and are frequently cut off to save the plant’s vitality. Coleus leaves come in a huge range of shapes and dimensions. This implies that regardless of where you want to put coleus, you will be able to allocate a place that will work. Such plants are excellent for adding color to your outdoor gardens, particularly in dark, dull areas of your house.
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Begonia
Whenever watering begonias, avoid watering whenever the sun appears on the leaves because the leaves will be damaged. Common fungal concerns can be reduced by using dripping tape, a soaker hose, or spraying water early in the morning. Indoor begonias are particularly prone to root rotting and waterlogging. While caring for begonias, ensure that you can only water them whenever they require it. Many experts recommend waiting until the plant exhibits signs of dehydration, such as sagging leaves, before watering it. This should hopefully minimize begonias from dying due to overwatering, which is the most common cause of death whenever cultivated indoors.
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Impatiens
Impatiens is a lovely perennial that functions admirably well as a houseplant or summertime bed plant. Impatiens require soil that is copious in humus, wet, and all-around depleted. . Ascertain that the plants are protected from the wind. Watering plants regularly is the most important thing to remember. Make sure they are moist, but not soggy. The plants will lose their leaves if they become too dry. If you overwater your plants, fungal infections may develop. Impatiens can also thrive in a lot of shade. Plants in emphatically shaded regions, then again, will become taller and bloom less abundantly.
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Dracaena
A dracaena plant must never be placed in direct sunlight since the sunlight would destroy the leaves. Dracaena plants need little watering than typical house plants. Maintain them hydrated by sprinkling the foliage with water and softly spraying (but not soaking) the soil, which should also have adequate drainage. Excessive watering or poor drainage may cause sagging or yellowish foliage, so do not be alarmed if the lower leaves start to turn yellow and disintegrate. It is natural for dracaenas to discard their leaves to make room for new leaves. If consumed, it is hazardous to cats and dogs. Dilated pupils in cats are common, and both cats and dogs can exhibit symptoms including nausea, excessive saliva, and a decreased appetite.
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Croton
Croton plants are indeed a diverse group of plants that are frequently maintained as houseplants. The croton indoor plant has a notoriety for always being finicky, but if you know how to properly care for a croton houseplant, it can be a hardy and difficult-to-kill plant.
When grown in bright light, croton plants produce their most vibrant hues. They need to be placed in a sunny window as houseplants. Indoors, will withstand medium light but would not grow much, and the leaves may revert to a simple green color. Crotons, like many other houseplants, require regular watering and humidity. Because it is a tropical plant, it thrives in high humidity, so keeping it on a pebble tray or spraying it regularly will help it look its best.
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Indoor water plants: How to nurture plants that grow in water?
- Cut-off a couple of inches of a healthy stem right before a node and include at least two nodes with the stem. Cut one-fourth of an inch below the node, with a clean sharp knife or scissors.
- Remove a few leaves of the indoor water plants from the bottom. Place the cut stem in a clean glass or bottle. Pour enough water at room temperature, to cover the nodes.
- When decorating the house with houseplants that grow in water, place the plant in a spot where it receives bright to moderate indirect sunlight.
- Regular maintenance of water plants for homes is crucial. Change the water every four to five days, to avoid the growth of mosquito larvae or algae.
- Do not submerge the leaves under the water.
- Change the water at regular intervals.
Indoor water plants: Where should you place them?
Many indoor plants grow in water, without soil. Adding those indoor water plants to the shelves, table tops, and mantles can bring positive energy into your home. Depending on the space and the size of the container, one can creatively use water plants, to brighten up the home. You can create a stunning centerpiece, enhance a corner by grouping a few plants or enliven the wall with a vertical garden, by placing the plants on a shelf.
“It is important to place the water plants properly. Place them in a bright area with indirect light, for best results. Typically, these plants grow well in places that are warm and the temperatures do not change very quickly. The humid climate is the best for most plants,” adds Garg.
Indoor water plants containers
“One can grow water plants in almost any container that can hold water. However, it is better to use glass containers having a thin neck, to hold and support the plant. With glass containers, one can see the roots and keep a check on the water level,” states Garg. Fish bowls, recycled old bottles, glasses, jars, and slim test tubes, can also be used for this purpose.
You can place indoor water plants for a home in vases that come in different sizes, materials, designs, and colors. Since these water plants may not require direct sunlight, you n place them in the corner of the living room and go for wall-mounted planters.
