Propagation Basics! Growing Indoor House Plants in Water: Start Your Water Garden
The Plant Doctor is a big nerd who loves sharing the art of indoor plant care. Greenery is not only beautiful, but extremely good for our health and wellbeing. These blog posts are passionately written to help people learn more about plants.
If the blog below inspires you to learn even more, you can choose the way you like most: you can read more indoor plant blogs (click here), join a weekend workshop (click here), have your own private workshop (click here) or watch online videos (click here).
Now let’s get started!
Select Suitable Houseplants
Not all houseplants are suitable for water propagation. Opt for plants that root readily in water, such as pothos, philodendrons, spider plants, and Chinese evergreens. These resilient plants are more likely to thrive in a water-filled environment.
2. Take Healthy Cuttings
To start your water propagation journey, take healthy cuttings from an existing plant. Use clean, sharp scissors or pruning shears to snip a stem just below a leaf node. A leaf node is the area on the stem where leaves emerge. Cuttings with at least one or two leaf nodes have a higher chance of success.
3. Place Cuttings in Water
Fill a clean glass or jar with room-temperature water and place the cuttings in it. Ensure that the lower leaf nodes are submerged in the water while the leaves remain above the surface. Change the water every few days to keep it fresh and free from mold or bacteria.
4. Patience is Key
Rooting houseplant cuttings in water may take several weeks to a few months, depending on the plant species and environmental conditions. Be patient and resist the temptation to rush the process. Monitor the cuttings regularly, and you'll soon notice tiny roots emerging from the leaf nodes.
5. Transplanting Rooted Cuttings
Once the cuttings have developed healthy root systems (usually around 1-2 inches in length), it's time to transplant them into pots with a suitable potting mix. (If you haven’t learned how to repot from the Plant Doctor yet, do that first! So that you pot your new plant babies well.) Gently remove the cuttings from the water, being careful not to damage the delicate roots. Plant them in a well-draining potting mix and water thoroughly.
6. Maintain Adequate Lighting
While growing houseplants in water, it's essential to provide sufficient natural or artificial light. Place your water-filled containers in a location with bright, indirect light, as direct sunlight can be too intense and may harm the roots.
7. Add Liquid Plant Food
The plants will grow fine in water if it’s being replaced regularly (see step below), but if you want them to grow faster you can dilute a balanced liquid fertilizer and add it to the water.
The Plant Doctor Nat, teaching Plant Nurse Ness how to make plant fertiliser from a worm farm.
8. Refresh Water Regularly
To ensure your indoor houseplants stay healthy and vibrant, change the water every 1-2 days. This prevents the water from becoming stagnant and provides a fresh supply of oxygen to the roots.
Swap out the water to keep the roots healthy and fresh!
Growing indoor houseplants in water is a delightful and straight forward gardening technique that brings a touch of nature's beauty into your home. With a little patience, care, and the right plant selection, you can witness the magic of roots developing in water and eventually transplant your rooted cuttings into pots. Experiment with different plant species and enjoy the process of nurturing these water-based houseplants, creating an enchanting and mesmerizing indoor garden for all to admire.
Happy gardening!
Want to learn more about propagation and indoor house plants?
Join A Weekend Workshop
Read Blog Posts
Have Your Own Private Workshop
Watch Online Videos
