Rooting Plants in Water: The Easiest Way to Bring Greenery Indoors

If you enjoy bringing greenery into your home but don't have a green thumb or are simply too busy to be a plant parent, we've got an idea you're going to love. And even if you're a bona fide botanist, you're in the right place. Enter the simplest, most beautiful floral trend: rooting plants in water.

This is the easiest houseplant you'll ever have since it's impossible to kill, never has to be fed, and isn't overly sensitive to light. And aside from its low-maintenance essence, rooting plants in water is well-suited for pretty much any environment, from minimalist aesthetics to eclectic spaces. We'll show you how to succeed with this on-trend-yet-timeless approach to indoor plants.

Pick Your Plant

Not all plants will respond well to indoor hydroponics, but there are still plenty of good options. Herbs (mint, oregano, basil, rosemary, lavender, and sage) grow fast in water and will even start to produce a new leaf every day. Some houseplants that work well are English ivy, philodendron, tradescantia, purple passion, coleus, and of course that old-is-new-again favorite: lucky bamboo. Finally, if you're looking to add more flowers to your home, root some begonias or impatiens in water. They'll even bloom during the winter!

Root Your Plant

Once you've found your specimen or snipped a piece from a friend's garden, prepare it to grow roots. Cut just below a leaf at a point called the leaf node where the sections of the plant branch out. This is where most of the rooting hormone is within the plant, which will ensure growth. 

Just Add Water

The only tricky part is using the right water. The roots will be getting all their nutrients from the water, so you can't just use the tap. Bottled spring water or well water works best, due to the higher levels of minerals. Put your cutting in a clear glass jar or vase so the roots can get some sun.

That's it! You may need to change the water every few weeks or trim back the roots in a year, but until then, it's completely self-sustainable. Just sit back, relax, and watch your thumb turn a lovely shade of green.