Gardening doesn’t always require soil. Hydroponics, the practice of growing plants in water, has gained popularity due to its space efficiency and the joy of cultivating plants in unconventional ways. Here’s a list of 25 herbs, vegetables, and plants that you can grow in water, making your home a green and bountiful oasis.
Herbs:
- Basil: Propagate basil by placing cuttings in water. Ensure the cuttings are about four inches long and change the water regularly.
- Mint: This hardy herb can be grown in water from cuttings. Just place them in a container with water and watch them thrive.
- Oregano: Similar to basil, oregano can be propagated from cuttings. Place the stems in water and wait for the roots to grow.
- Sage: Take cuttings in the spring and place them in water. Sage enjoys plenty of light and air circulation.
- Stevia: Known for its sweet leaves, stevia can be propagated in water. It requires strong, indirect light.
- Thyme: Start with a cutting from an existing plant, and place it in water. Thyme needs plenty of light to develop roots.
- Lemongrass: Place the root end in water and it will grow new shoots. Lemongrass prefers a warm environment.
- Cilantro: Place the stems in a glass of water and leave them in a bright area. Change the water every few days.
Vegetables:
- Lettuce: Regrow lettuce by keeping the base in a bowl of shallow water. It will regrow leaves that can be harvested.
- Celery: Similar to lettuce, keep the base of the celery in a bowl of water to regrow the center stalk.
- Green Onions: Keep the white base with roots in water and you’ll get a continual supply of green shoots.
- Garlic Chives: If a garlic clove starts to sprout, place it in water. You’ll grow garlic chives, which can be used for cooking.
- Bok Choy: Place the base in water and it will sprout new leaves.
- Carrots: Place the tops of carrots in water and they’ll produce greens. While you won’t get new carrots, the greens are edible.
- Peppers: You can start peppers in water. Once they have sprouted, they can be transferred to pots for further growth.
Plants:
- Pothos: This popular houseplant can be easily propagated in water. Cut below a node, and roots should form within a week.
- Philodendron: Like pothos, cuttings can be placed in water and will soon grow roots.
- Spider Plant: Place the baby spider plantlets in water until roots form, then plant them in soil.
- Peace Lily: This elegant plant can be grown in a vase of water with its roots submerged.
- Lucky Bamboo: This plant thrives in water. Just change the water every two weeks to keep it healthy.
- African Violets: Start these from leaf cuttings in water. After roots form, you can plant them in soil.
- English Ivy: This climbing plant can be started in water. Cut a section off and submerge the cut end in water.
- Coleus: Coleus cuttings can root easily in water. Once rooted, they can be planted in soil.
- Begonia: Begonias can be propagated from a single leaf. Place the stem in water and wait for roots to grow.
- Impatiens: These colorful flowers can also be propagated in water through cuttings.
Tips for Growing in Water:
- Use containers that are dark to limit algae growth.
- Change the water regularly to replenish oxygen and prevent rot.
- Add liquid hydroponic fertilizer to provide essential nutrients.
- Ensure plants receive adequate light, either from a natural source or grow lights.
- Be patient; some plants take longer to root in water than others.
Hydroponic gardening can be a fun and rewarding experience. It’s an excellent option for those with limited space or for anyone interested in exploring soil-less cultivation. With these 25 plants, you can start your own indoor water garden and enjoy the fruits (and vegetables and herbs) of your labor.