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If you’ve ever wanted a green thumb without the mess of soil, you’ll love these easy-to-grow water plants. From fresh herbs to lush houseplants, certain species thrive simply by sitting in a vase or jar of water, making them perfect for windowsills, desks or kitchen countertops. Not only are they low-maintenance, but they also add a vibrant touch of life to any space.
Some of the simplest options include the classic spider plant, which grows roots quickly in water; aromatic mint, perfect for snipping into drinks or recipes; and the elegant peace lily, which can flourish in a water-filled container while producing beautiful white blooms. Along with seven other easy-to-grow varieties, the gardening account @gardensimilar shared that these plants make starting a water garden simple, stylish and surprisingly satisfying.
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These Beautiful Houseplants Require No Soil and Are Easy to Grow1. Lucky Bamboo (Dracaena sanderiana)
Lucky Bamboowisnupriyono / Shutterstock.com (wisnupriyono / Shutterstock.com)
Lucky bamboo is a popular houseplant known for its slender green stalks and reputation for bringing good luck and positive energy to a space. One of the reasons it’s so beginner-friendly is that it can grow happily in water without any soil at all. Simply place the stalks in a container with a few inches of water and add small pebbles to help keep them upright.
To keep your bamboo plant healthy, change the water every week or two and use filtered or distilled water if possible, since the plant can be sensitive to chemicals often found in tap water. It also prefers bright, indirect light rather than direct sun, making it perfect for desks, shelves or countertops. With minimal effort, lucky bamboo can thrive for years, making it one of the easiest plants to grow in water.
2. Money Plant/Pothos (Epipremnum aureum)
Money Plant/PothosAleografi / Shutterstock.com (Aleografi / Shutterstock.com)
Pothos—often called the money plant—is one of the easiest houseplants to grow and a favorite among beginners. Its trailing vines and heart-shaped leaves make it a beautiful addition to shelves, windowsills or hanging planters.
Even better, pothos can thrive in water without any soil, making it a mess-free option for simple indoor water gardens. Just place a cutting in a jar or vase so the nodes are submerged, and it will quickly develop roots. With occasional water changes and bright, indirect light, this low-maintenance plant can grow happily in water for months or even years.
3. Arrowhead Plant (Syngonium podophyllum)
Arrowhead PlantMid Photographer / Shutterstock.com (Mid Photographer / Shutterstock.com)
Arrowhead Plant—named this for its arrow-shaped leaves—is a popular houseplant known for its lush foliage and easygoing nature. While it’s commonly grown in soil, this plant can also thrive in water, making it a great choice for simple hydro-style displays.
A stem cutting placed in a jar or vase will quickly develop roots with fresh water. Keep the container in bright, indirect light and refresh the water every week or two to keep it healthy. With minimal care, arrowhead plants can grow beautifully in water while adding a soft, leafy look to shelves or countertops.
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4. Heartleaf Philodendron (Philodendron hederaceum)
Heartleaf PhilodendronJulieK2 / Shutterstock.com (JulieK2 / Shutterstock.com)
Heartleaf Philodendron is a classic trailing houseplant loved for its glossy, heart-shaped leaves and chill nature. It’s especially popular with beginners because it adapts well to a variety of indoor conditions.
This plant can also be grown in water without soil, making it perfect for simple propagation jars or decorative vases. Like the others, just place a cutting in water, and it will quickly develop rots while continuing to produce new leaves. With bright, indirect light and occasional water changes, heartleaf philodendron can thrive beautifully in a soil-free setup.
5. Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum)
Spider PlantMaylim / Shutterstock.com (Maylim / Shutterstock.com)
A spider plant is a popular houseplant known for its arching green-and-white striped leaves and is perhaps the most well-known aquatic plant. It’s especially famous for producing small offshoots, often called “spiderettes,” that dangle from the parent plant. These baby plants can be snipped off and placed directly into a jar or glass of water, where they quickly develop roots without any soil.
With bright, indirect light and fresh water changed every week or so, spider plants can grow happily in water for long periods. Their cascading leaves and fast-growing pups make them a fun and simple choice for a soil-free indoor plant display.
6. Chinese Evergreen (Aglaonema)
Chinese EvergreenEmily frost / Shutterstock.com (Emily frost / Shutterstock.com)
Chinese Evergreen is a popular houseplant admired for its striking patterned leaves and ability to tolerate low light. Known for being extremely low-maintenance, it’s a favorite choice for beginners and busy plant owners alike.
While it’s usually grown in soil, this plant can also grow in water if you place a healthy stem cutting in a jar or vase with the nodes submerged. Over time, the cutting will develop roots and continue producing lush foliage. With bright, indirect light and occasional water changes, this hardy plant can thrive in a simple soil-free setup.
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7. Coleus (Plectranthus scutellarioides)
ColeusRiana Ambarsari / Shutterstock.com (Riana Ambarsari / Shutterstock.com)
Coleus is a vibrant plant loved for its bold, colorful foliage that comes in shades of red, purple, pink and lime green. While it’s often grown outdoors in garden beds or containers, coleus can also thrive indoors when propagated in water.
Because it roots so easily, coleus is one of the simplest plants to grow without soil. With bright light and fresh water changed regularly, it can continue growing beautifully in a water-filled container.
8. Mint (Mentha)
MintVinnikava Viktoryia / Shutterstock.com (Vinnikava Viktoryia / Shutterstock.com)
Mint is a fast-growing herb prized for its refreshing aroma and bright green leaves. While it’s often grown in garden beds or pots, mint also thrives when grown in water, making it an easy option for indoor herb gardens.
It’s simple—place a fresh cutting in a jar or glass with the stems submerged, and it will quickly develop roots without any soil. With plenty of light and fresh water changed regularly, mint can continue growing while providing leaves you can snip for teas, cocktails and recipes.
9. Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum)
Peace LilyAdam Yee / Shutterstock.com (Adam Yee / Shutterstock.com)
Peace Lily is a graceful houseplant known for its glossy green leaves and elegant white blooms. It’s often grown in soil, but peace lilies can also adapt well to growing in water. Simply place the roots in a vase or container with enough water to cover them, often supported by pebbles to keep the plant stable.
With indirect light and regular water changes, peace lilies can continue to grow beautifully without soil. This simple setup makes them a striking, low-maintenance addition to desks, shelves or tabletops.
10. Wandering Jew (Tradescanta zebrina)
Wandering JewNice-pics-125 / Shutterstock.com (Nice-pics-125 / Shutterstock.com)
Wandering Jew is a striking trailing plant admired for its vibrant purple, green and silver-striped leaves. It’s incredibly easy to grow and can thrive in water. And with bright, indirect light and fresh water changed regularly, this plant will continue to grow lush, trailing vines. Its fast-growing nature and colorful foliage make it an eye-catching, low-maintenance plant for any indoor space.
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This story was originally published by Dengarden on Mar 7, 2026, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Dengarden as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
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