26 Great Houseplants to Grow in Water Vases for Effortless Beauty
Houseplants in water vases are a simple, stylish way to enjoy greenery without the mess of soil. Growing plants in water not only reduces pests and diseases but also lets you admire the beauty of roots as they spread.
You ll always know when it s time to refill, and decorative glass vases make the display even more striking.
This method is also therapeutic, as watching roots grow can feel calming and grounding. Many popular houseplants adapt well to hydroponic life, from leafy greens to flowering beauties.
With just clean water, occasional feeding, and the right container, you can create a living centerpiece for your home. Here are 26 wonderful plants you can grow easily in water vases.
#1. Heart Leaf Philodendron
Source: House Fur
This classic vining plant thrives in water and quickly produces new roots. Its glossy, heart-shaped leaves add instant charm to a desk or shelf. Simply snip a cutting below a node and place it in a vase of clean water.
Change the water every two weeks and you ll notice healthy root growth. You can let it trail down or support it with a stick for an upright look. It s one of the easiest water-loving plants to maintain.
#2. Lucky Bamboo
Source: The Spruce
Lucky Bamboo is often kept for good fortune and positive energy. Its tall, upright stalks look elegant in glass vases filled with pebbles and water. Keep the water level just above the roots and top it off regularly.
This plant prefers indirect light and thrives indoors year-round. You can even shape its stems into spirals or braids. Lucky Bamboo doubles as both a decorative piece and a symbolic gift.
#3. Pothos
Source: Gardener’s Path
Pothos adapts beautifully to water and is nearly foolproof for beginners. Its trailing vines come in shades of green, gold, and white. Place stem cuttings in a jar of water and watch them root within days.
Keep it in bright, indirect light for lush growth. Change the water every couple of weeks to prevent stagnation. This plant grows fast, so you ll always have fresh cuttings to share.
#4. Chinese Evergreen & Dumbcane
Source: Morning Lazziness
Both Chinese Evergreen and Dumbcane are reliable choices for water culture. Their bold, patterned leaves brighten any indoor space. Cut a healthy stem and set it in a tall vase to support its size.
Keep the vase in moderate light and refresh the water often. These plants add structure and a tropical vibe to your collection. With minimal care, they ll thrive for months in water.
#5. Spider Plant
Source: Aloe of the Plants
Spider plants are well-loved for their arching leaves and baby âspiderettes.â Place one of these offshoots in water, and it will root quickly. They look stunning in clear glass containers where roots can be admired.
Keep them in bright but indirect light for best results. Change the water once a week to keep it fresh. Soon you ll have a whole colony of spider plants sprouting in vases.
#6. Arrowhead Plant
Source: Balcony Garden Web
The Arrowhead Plant has striking, arrow-shaped leaves that look great in water. Cuttings root easily and keep their vibrant green color indoors. Place them in a clear vase and change the water regularly.
Bright, indirect light keeps the leaves fresh and full. This plant can climb or trail, depending on how you display it. It s a versatile choice for both modern and rustic décor.
#7. Coleus
Source: Pinterest
Coleus adds a splash of color with its patterned, vibrant leaves. Cuttings placed in water will root in just a few days. Keep them in a sunny window to maintain their bright colors.
Be sure to refresh the water weekly to prevent bacteria buildup. Coleus cuttings look especially striking in colorful glass vases. You can replant them in soil later if you prefer.
#8. Wandering Jew
Source: Etsy
Wandering Jew plants are famous for their purple and green striped leaves. They root quickly in water and create a bold display indoors. Use a shallow vase and arrange several cuttings for fullness.
Place in bright light to maintain vibrant colors. Change the water weekly to avoid cloudy roots. This plant adds instant drama to any windowsill or shelf.
#9. Dracaena
Source: linlininteriors
Dracaena s sword-like leaves look elegant standing tall in water vases. Simply cut a cane section and place it in clean water to root. They tolerate low light but grow best with bright, indirect sunlight.
Refresh the water every couple of weeks to keep roots healthy. Dracaena varieties come in striped or solid shades of green. Their sleek look makes them a modern indoor favorite.
#10. Croton
Source: You Tube
Croton plants are eye-catching with their colorful leaves splashed in red, yellow, and orange. They can adapt to water culture if cuttings are taken correctly.
Place stems in a glass vase with bright, indirect light nearby. Their colors stay vibrant with good care. Change the water every 7â10 days to keep it clean. Croton cuttings create a lively, tropical centerpiece.
#11. Impatiens
Source: The Spruce
Impatiens bring cheerful flowers into your home even in water. Their bright blooms continue for weeks with proper light. Place stem cuttings in a jar of water and they ll root quickly.
Keep them in bright, filtered sunlight for consistent flowers. Change water every few days to keep blooms fresh. Impatiens add both fragrance and color to your indoor displays.
#12. Begonia
Source: Just Houseplants
Begonias can grow beautifully in water with their patterned leaves and occasional flowers. Place cuttings in a narrow vase, and roots will form quickly. They do best in bright but indirect light indoors.
Change the water weekly and remove any fallen leaves. This method highlights their stunning leaf patterns. Begonias in glass vases bring elegance to small spaces.
#13. Paperwhite
Source: Midwest Living
Paperwhites are bulbs that bloom fragrantly in water-filled containers. Set bulbs on top of pebbles with just enough water to touch their roots. Place in a bright location and they ll bloom in 4â6 weeks.
Their white star-like flowers add freshness to winter days. Add more water as it evaporates to keep roots moist. Paperwhites are perfect for holiday displays.
#14. Ornamental Sweet Potato
Source: Gardening Know How
Sweet potato vines root quickly in water, producing trailing green or purple foliage. Place a tuber in water or use cuttings in a vase. They thrive in sunny spots and grow fast indoors.
Change the water every week for healthy growth. Their cascading vines make them great for shelves or hanging displays. The leaves bring lush greenery to your décor.
#15. English Ivy
Source: Permanent Procastination
English Ivy roots easily in water and grows well indoors. Its trailing vines look graceful in tall vases or hanging jars. Place the cuttings in bright, indirect light for best results.
Refresh the water weekly and trim stems as needed. Ivy adds a classic, elegant look to any room. It s also great for creating living garlands indoors.
#16. Caladium
Source: Balcony Garden Web
Caladiums are admired for their colorful, heart-shaped leaves. You can root cuttings or small tubers in water vases. Keep them in bright, indirect light to maintain their striking patterns.
Change the water weekly to prevent rot. They thrive in warm conditions and bring bold color indoors. Caladiums make stunning table centerpieces.
#17. Alocasia
Source: Olle Eriksson
Alocasia, also known as Elephant Ear, adapts beautifully to water culture. Its dramatic leaves rise tall above the vase, creating a bold statement. Use a clear container to showcase both roots and stems.
Keep the vase in bright, filtered light for best growth. Refresh the water every week and feed monthly with diluted fertilizer. Alocasia adds a tropical feel to any room.
#18. Ti Plant
Source: Lashkar
Ti Plant brings a burst of color with red, purple, and green foliage. Its cuttings root well in water-filled vases. Place them near a bright window for the best leaf color.
Change water regularly to keep stems healthy. Ti Plants add a vibrant, exotic accent to indoor spaces. They re easy to multiply for multiple displays.
#19. Hoya Carnosa
Source: My Tasteful Space
Hoya Carnosa, or wax plant, produces thick, waxy leaves and clusters of fragrant flowers. It grows happily in water with minimal care. Place a cutting in a vase of clean water, and roots will form.
Keep it in indirect light and change the water weekly. Its trailing vines look beautiful cascading over shelves. Hoya blooms make it extra special indoors.
#20. Moth Orchid
Source: Lya Solis
Moth Orchids can also be grown in water with a semi-hydroponic setup. Place the roots above pebbles with just enough water for humidity. Keep them in bright, indirect light for consistent blooms.
Refresh the water weekly and add orchid fertilizer monthly. Their elegant flowers last for weeks and bring sophistication indoors. Orchids in glass vases look graceful and modern.
#21. Prayer Plant
Source: Reddit
Prayer Plants fold their leaves at night, creating movement indoors. They root well in water vases from stem cuttings. Keep them in bright, indirect light to maintain their leaf patterns.
Change water weekly and mist occasionally for humidity. Their leaves display striking red veins and green tones. Prayer Plants are both interactive and beautiful.
#22. Aluminum Plant
Source: GV Salt
The Aluminum Plant has shiny silver patches that glisten indoors. Its cuttings root quickly in water-filled jars. Place in a bright location out of direct sunlight.
Refresh the water weekly to prevent algae buildup. This plant is compact, making it perfect for desktops. Its metallic foliage adds a modern twist to houseplant collections.
#23. Chinese Money Plant
Source: BabyLNTS
Chinese Money Plant, also known as Pilea, grows round coin-like leaves. It roots easily in water from leaf or stem cuttings. Use a narrow vase to keep cuttings upright.
Place in bright, indirect light for healthy growth. Change the water every 7â10 days to keep it clean. Its quirky look makes it a favorite among plant lovers.
#24. Monstera
Source: Balcony Garden Web
Monstera cuttings grow roots quickly when placed in water. Their iconic split leaves look dramatic in tall glass vases. Keep them in bright, indirect light for lush growth.
Change water weekly and trim old leaves as needed. Monsteras grow into statement pieces with time. Their roots look stunning displayed through clear glass.
#25. Mint
Source: small green things
Mint is both useful and fragrant, growing quickly in water. Snip a few stems and place them in a sunny window. Change water every few days to keep them fresh.
You can harvest leaves for teas, cooking, or garnishes. Mint in a vase adds greenery and scent to your kitchen. It s practical and beautiful at once.
#26. Anthurium
Source: Sublime Fleuriste
Anthurium shows off glossy leaves and long-lasting red or pink spathes. It can adapt to water culture with proper care. Place the roots in clean water and keep them in bright, indirect light.
Change the water weekly to prevent buildup. Its flowers last for weeks, adding color indoors. Anthurium makes a striking centerpiece in glass vases.