Grow Plants in Water – (Complete Guide with 35 Edible Plants and Interesting Herbs!)
All over the world, in homes and offices, on porch pots or on windowsills, in grow rooms or city rooftops, people are growing plants using water, not soil. If you’re still buying herbs, plants, or vegetables, here’s what you can grow without soil.
Various edible plants like herbs and vegetables can be grown without any soil by using different water-based systems such as 1) hydroponics, 2) aquaponics, 3) aeroponics, or 4) fogponics. However, such plants cannot grow exclusively with water. Water-soluble fertilizers are required to provide nutrients and sustain their growth.
Indoor gardeners who grow herbs in water enjoy the benefits of going soilless: no weeds, no dirt, no pests, less damage, better harvests, and year-round crops that are easy to move around. Let’s explore some forgotten plants and popular herbs that you can grow in water.
How Do Plants Absorb Oxygen in Water?
Leaves can absorb oxygen from the air, and roots absorb oxygen from water in the soil. Plants are naturally programmed to find, release, and absorb oxygen in water by using three processes: 1) osmosis, 2) diffusion, and 3) cation exchange.
Great question! We know that fish breathe underwater because they have gills. But how do plants do it? How do they absorb oxygen—and even nutrients—from water?
Here’s the answer: The root hairs absorb nutrients via osmosis as well as via diffusion. Let me explain.
1. Osmosis
First of all, osmosis is when the roots “grab” or absorb nutrients and oxygen around them in water.
2. Diffusion
On the other hand, diffusion is when the same nutrients and oxygen spread from the roots toward all parts of the plant where these are needed.
3. Cation Exchange
Plants can absorb oxygen not only from the air but also from soil and water. Here’s how they do that:
1. Oxygen From Air
Plants absorb oxygen from the air through invisible pores on leaves (stomata).
2. Oxygen From the Soil
When the main root digs downwards into the soil, it also spreads side (or lateral) roots towards where the plant senses the presence of water. The rootlets automatically branch out and grow toward soil moisture.
Roots absorb oxygen from small pockets of air in the soil. This is why overwatering removes those air pockets and can drown a plant to death.
3. Oxygen From Water
On the other hand, when you root a plant in water, there’s another story. The roots release nutrients and minerals in soil particles (cation exchange) and absorb and distribute them throughout the plant (diffusion).
In this process, root hairs pump positive hydrogen ions (H+) into the soil to release nutrients such as Calcium (Ca) and Magnesium (Mg) from negative soil particles. These nutrients are then released in the water, which the root hairs can absorb into the plant.
Learn more about nutrients in our article on organic and inorganic fertilizers.
How Does Oxygen Absorption in Water Affect Indoor Herbs?
Culinary herbs grown indoors have fewer aromatic oils. This is because most herbs are non-aquatic plants and need soil to thrive. In water, they won’t grow as well as if they were grown in soil. Herbs that are grown indoors in water have less potent flavors and fragrances.
For instance, growing on soil means that roots are thicker to anchor the plant securely. In comparison, water roots are very fine to absorb oxygen and nutrients. These roots are so thin and fragile that they can be easily attacked by bacteria or pathogens.
HINT: Keep the water clean at all times!
In addition, you can’t just drop basil cuttings in a glass of water and expect it to become a full plant. Indeed, after a while, without any extra source of nutrients (the water has barely any) the plant will wilt and die.
This, however, shouldn’t stop you from growing herbs in a glass of water – as many others do. The advantages of having your favorite food ingredients, condiments, and flavorings on hand, year-round, and savings in terms of grocery bills and convenience are simply irresistible.
PRO TIP: When cuttings of soft-stemmed herbs like oregano, stevia, and mint are placed in water, they generate special roots that can absorb nutrients from water instead of the soil.
HINT: Dissolve an aspirin tablet in the water for better rooting. Add pebbles to enrich the water with mineral nutrients that help the plant thrive to full maturity.
Continue reading to get to our list of recommended herbs that you can propagate in the water!
4 Ways to Grow Plants Without Soil (The Water Systems)
It is not possible to grow plants with just the provision of water. When a plant cutting is placed in water, it might grow and thrive for weeks before eventually wilting and dying due to a lack of nutrients naturally found in water. But plants can be grown completely without soil through hydroponics, aquaponics, aeroponics, and fogponics.
You’re probably already familiar with at least one of these water systems for plant cultivation. But I’m pretty confident you find one of these completely unrecognizable. So continue reading to find out more!
1. Hydroponics
The word hydroponics means using only water to grow plants. It’s as simple as putting seeds or stems in a glass or dish of water, or as extensive as an entire greenhouse or farm with interconnected water pipes.
It is one of the most common techniques used by regular indoor gardeners, farmers, and even large-scale crop growers.
2. Aquaponics
Similar to hydroponics, aquaponics needs a lot of water. But the main difference between them is that in aquaponics, plants grow above a tank of fish—or shrimps, mussels, and so on. Fertilizers aren’t really necessary for such a setup because fish input nutrients into the water with their waste.
This nutrient-rich water is what’s pumped into plants. The plants input oxygen into the water that goes down to the fish tank.
3. Aeroponics
Grow plants at home with minimal water and nutrients through aeroponics. This involves spraying water into the air so that the roots and leaves of plants absorb the moisture.
4. Fogponics
There are also a lot of similarities between fogponics and aeroponics, except that high pressure is used to spray water in the form of mist or fog. You can use a pressure spray pump or a jet fogger.
Soil-based plants that are grown in water can produce more food for us because they don’t need to use so much energy to develop land-type roots.
11 Edible Plants That Can Grow in Water Systems
The best plants to grow in water are aquatic plants such as arrowhead, brooklime, bur-reed, and more. Although widely used in native cuisine in ancient times, they’re rare among today’s herb growers.
Water gardening started in ancient history after people gathering edible plants in ponds, lakes, and rivers decided to grow them closer to the kitchen. Today, traditional chefs around the world still use them, sourced from farmers around the world.
However, these plants are largely forgotten in modern cuisine. Even so, you can find them around, growing in garden ponds, lakesides, marshes, rice paddies, wetlands, and in other bodies of water.
For instance, if you have lotus (Nelumbo nucifera) in your garden pond, you might be surprised to know that it’s been used in ancient dishes of the Chinese, Egyptians, and North American Indians.
But that’s not all. Go over these plants and pick out which ones interest you. Then you can start growing them at home and sharing them with family and friends!
1. Arrowhead (Saggitaria latifolia)
Common Names: Broad-leaved arrowhead, duck potato
Sun Requirement: 6+ hours of full sun or 2–6 hours of partial shade
Plant Hardiness: Zones 3–11
This specific variety of arrowhead is a good choice for water gardens. Indigenous Americans have long been cultivating them in marshes, bogs, and ponds.
It’s great for cooking too. Arrowhead tubers have a starchy potato-like texture and a delicious, nutty taste that’s similar to water chestnuts. Just don’t eat them raw as they can be pretty bitter.
2. Brooklime (Veronica beccabunga)
Common Names: European brooklime, marsh speedwell, limewort
Sun Requirement: 6+ hours of full sun or 2–6 hours of partial shade
Plant Hardiness: Zones 4–8
A relative of the more familiar veronica, brooklime is a plant that can grow in water. It’s widely used in salads in Northern Europe.
3. Bur-Reed (Sparganium erectum)
Common Names: Branched bur-reed, exotic bur-reed, simple-stem bur-reed
Sun Requirement: 6+ hours of full sun or 2–6 hours of partial shade
Plant Hardiness: Zones 5–9
The simple-stem bur-reed yields edible oil, while its leaves, stems, tender tubers, and root stalks are great when steamed, boiled, stir-fried, or in raw salads.
4. Cattail (Typha latifolia)
Common Names: Broadleaf cattail, bulrush, common cattail, Cooper’s reed, soft-flag
Sun Requirement: 6+ hours of full sun or 2–6 hours of partial shade
Plant Hardiness: Zones 3–10
The white stems inside the lower leaves of cattails can be steamed or boiled like celery and eaten like the ear of corn. You can also use its roots like a starchy vegetable.
Additionally, its yellow pollen can add fats, proteins, and vitamins to pancakes, muffins, or bread.
5. Chocolate Mint (Mentha aquatica)
Common Names: Marsh mint, watermint, wild mint
Sun Requirement: 6+ hours of full sun or 2–6 hours of partial shade
Plant Hardiness: Zones 3–9
Much like every other popular mint variety, the chocolate mint is great for teas, as a palate cleanser, and garnish for meat dishes. This is essential for making the best mint julep bar none.
They would also make for a great addition to pastries and desserts!
You could even use chocolate mint to repel rodents and insects.
Learn how to make homemade pest repellents in our article on neem oil.
6. Flowering Rush (Butomus umbellatus)
Common Names: Grass rush, water gladiolus
Sun Requirement: 6+ hours of full sun
Plant Hardiness: Zones 3–11
This edible plant with beautiful flowers has edible starchy bulbs. You can use it to thicken soups and add some to flour for making bread.
You could even use it as a plant-based alternative for tallow for making candles.
7. Sedges (Cyperus spp.)
Common Names: Flatsedge, galingale, sweet cyperus
Sun Requirement: 6+ hours of full sun or 2–6 hours of partial shade
Plant Hardiness: Zones 8–11
A variety of sedges including water rush (C. longus) and (C. esculentens) roots were used to add spice and a nutty flavor to savory and sweet dishes such as soups and pies in the Middle Ages.
Its tubers can be eaten raw or cooked. When roasted, you could brew it and drink it as a coffee alternative. Otherwise, the oil from it can be used just like olive oil.
8. Lebanese Cress (Apium nodiflorum)
Common Names: European marshwort, fool’s watercress
Sun Requirement: 6+ hours of full sun
Plant Hardiness: Zone 9
If you’re looking for ways to save money while still making delicious dishes, then try growing some Lebanese cress at home.
The taste profile of Lebanese cress is a mix between celery and carrot. So you can add it to coleslaws, salads, and sandwiches.
9. Pondweed (Potamogeton natans)
Common Names: Broadleaf pondweed, floating-leaf pondweed
Sun Requirement: 6+ hours of full sun or 2–6 hours of partial shade
Plant Hardiness: Zones 2–12
The root stalks of pondweed are nutritious and tasty so they make a great addition to home-cooked meals.
You can add it to stews to add a nutty note but some people dislike it as it can get a bit bitter.
10. Vietnamese Mint (Persicaria odorata)
Common Names: Vietnamese coriander
Sun Requirement: 6+ hours of full sun or 2–6 hours of partial shade
Plant Hardiness: Zones 9–11
A herb like Vietnamese mint is used commonly used to concoct refreshing drinks and dishes. You can also add it to dull salads for added interest and flavor.
Unlike regular mint though, this tropical herb is semi-aquatic!
11. Watercress (Rorippa nasturtium aquaticum)
Common Names: Cress
Sun Requirement: 6+ hours of full sun or 2–6 hours of partial shade
Plant Hardiness: Zones 3–11
Watercress is a well-known vegetable used in soups and salads as it can be grown in Europe, Africa, and Asia!
But don’t go foraging for them in the wild as they could have been growing in polluted water that has a high population of parasites like the liver fluke.
Most indoor herb growers are not familiar with many of the plants that I’ve included in this list. If you try to grow and use them in your dishes, you’ll stand out for sure! You can start a new trend within your circles of foodies and herb-growing enthusiasts.
How Herbs Grow in Water (A Simple Guide)
Herbs grow in water when supplied with sufficient light, natural or artificial, and fed water-soluble fertilizers 2 times a month, minimum.
Yes, there are many herbs you can grow in water. However, before drilling into the details, let’s see how this can be done in the right way!
First and foremost, when you grow herbs in water only, they can become thin, and spindly, and show smaller leaves. Try and add water-soluble fertilizer at least twice a month. Also, add pebbles or rock powder to infuse minerals into the water.
You should also rotate their containers around every so often so that all parts get sunlight for uniform growth. By doing so, they can grow denser than taller.
There are so many more herbs that you can grow in water. And, if you haven’t noticed, whichever herb you choose to propagate without soil, the 3-step process is practically the same: cut, add water, and expose to gentle sunshine.
Herbs That Grow in Water: Full List
Growing herbs in water are not hard at all, especially if your intention is to keep them alive for a little while using them in your favorite dish. Here is a list of herbs that grow easily in water.
Whether you’re growing plants to decorate indoors, grow organic food, or beautify a garden, here’s a list of herbs that you can grow in water!
Basil (Ocimum basilicum)
Common Names: Genovese basil, saint Joseph’s wort, sweet basil, Thai basil
Sun Requirement: 6+ hours of full sun or 2–6 hours of partial shade
Plant Hardiness: Zones 2–11
Place basil cuttings in glass jars with water. Provide bright sunlight (indirect or partially shaded at first) and change the water every couple of days.
Coriander (Coriandrum sativum)
Common Names: Chinese parsely, cilantro
Sun Requirement: 6+ hours of full sun or 2–6 hours of partial shade
Plant Hardiness: Zones 2–11
Garlic Chives (Allium tuberosum)
Common Names: Garlic sprout, oriental garlic, wild leek
Sun Requirement: 6+ hours of full sun or 2–6 hours of partial shade
Plant Hardiness: Zones 3–9
Place an unpeeled garlic clove in a glass or dish with a little water. Don’t submerge the entire clove.
Just keep in mind that garlic chives are an entirely different plant from regular chives.
Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)
Common Names: Common lavender, English lavender
Sun Requirement: 6+ hours of full sun or 2–6 hours of partial shade
Plant Hardiness: Zones 5–9
Use a lavender cutting with up to 5 lower sets of leaves—not from the tops of the stems.
Put some pebbles or rocks in the bottom of your container to keep the cutting upright and add enough water. Remember to regularly provide mineral nutrition to the plant as well.
Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis)
Common Names: Balm mint, bee herb, common balm, melissa
Sun Requirement: 6+ hours of full sun or 2–6 hours of partial shade
Plant Hardiness: Zones 3–9
Cut a stem from a lemon balm mature plan. Position the cutting upright in the water and wait until new roots grow.
PRO TIP: Plain water doesn’t have the nutrients that plants need to thrive.
Lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus)
Common Names: Citronella grass, fever grass, oil grass
Sun Requirement: 6+ hours of full sun
Plant Hardiness: Zones 8–11
Trim away all brown leaves from your lemongrass cuttings. Place the bottom 2–3 inches (5-7 cm) of its stalks in 1 inch (2 cm) of water.
Expose to sunlight when the green parts regrow. Replace the water when it turns cloudy.
Marjoram (Origanum majorana)
Common Names: Pot marjoram, sweet marjoram
Sun Requirement: 6+ hours of full sun
Plant Hardiness: Zones 6–10
Submerge the end parts of the marjoram cuttings in a glass of water. Put the glass on a windowsill for sunshine.
Change the water regularly. Some balanced water-soluble fertilizers can add minerals to the water, which are essential for plant growth and development.
Mint (Mentha spicata)
Common Names: Garden mint, spearmint
Sun Requirement: 6+ hours of full sun or 2–6 hours of partial shade
Plant Hardiness: Zones 4–11
Place healthy mint cuttings in water with a little water. Change the water every now and then to prevent stinking. Expose these to partial sunshine for better photosynthesis.
Oregano (Origanum vulgare)
Common Names: Common oregano, variegated marjoram, winter sweet
Sun Requirement: 6+ hours of full sun
Plant Hardiness: Zones 3–10
Place your oregano cuttings upright in a container with about 2 inches (5 cm) of water. Expose to partial or dappled sunlight. Change the water every 4 days or when the water becomes cloudy.
PRO TIP: Carbon dioxide bubbles in carbonated water makes plants grow faster.
Parsley (Petroselinum crispum)
Common Names: Garden parsley, Italian parsley, turnip-rooted parsley
Sun Requirement: 6+ hours of full sun
Plant Hardiness: Zones 2–11
Use parsley cuttings that are about 3 inches (7 cm) long. Remove all their lower leaves.
Let the cuttings stand in a container of water but make sure the water level is much lower than the leftover leaves. The water shouldn’t touch the leaves of your parsley cuttings. Replace the water every 3 days or so.
Rosemary (Rosemarinus officinalis)
Common Names: Anthos, biberye
Sun Requirement: 6+ hours of full sun
Plant Hardiness: Zones 8–10
Use a rosemary cutting that’s about 8 inches (20 cm) long. Remove the outer skin on the lower half of the cutting.
Place your carefully selected cutting in a container and add enough water to cover the stripped stalks. Place in a sunny location.
Sage (Salvia officinalis)
Common Names: Culinary sage, garden sage, kitchen sage
Sun Requirement: 6+ hours of full sun or 2–6 hours of partial shade
Plant Hardiness: Zones 4–10
Place sage cuttings in a little water with the cut end down. Replace the water every other day or so—you don’t want it to turn murky.
To prevent mildew, place the container where there is good ventilation and sunshine.
Salvia (Salvia elegans)
Common Names: Pineapple Sage
Sun Requirement: 6+ hours of full sun or 2–6 hours of partial shade
Plant Hardiness: Zones 8–11
To propagate, put cuttings in 8 cm. of water. Use a glass container to see roots growing in 3 weeks or less.
Scallion (Allium fistulosum)
Common Names: Bunching onion, spring onion, Welsh onion
Sun Requirement: 6+ hours of full sun or 2–6 hours of partial shade
Plant Hardiness: Zones 5–9
Also known as spring onions or green onions, you can also grow scallions in water. Just make sure to use stems with long roots.
Cut the green tops and place the white lower portion, with the roots, upright in a glass container. Add water to cover at least half of the white stem.
Keep the plant where it can get sunlight and replace the water every 3 days.
Stevia (Stevia rebaudiana)
Common Names: Candyleaf, sugar leaf, sweet honey leaf
Sun Requirement: 6+ hours of full sun or 2–6 hours of partial shade
Plant Hardiness: Zones 9–11
Place several stevia cuttings in a container. Add fresh water—until under the stem level only. Then wait for about 4 weeks or longer and you’ll see their roots grow.
Thyme (Thymus vulgaris)
Common Names: Common thyme, garden thyme
Sun Requirement: 6+ hours of full sun
Plant Hardiness: Zones 5–9
Cut a sprig of thyme at the node of some healthy, bright green stems. The node is where leaves join the stem of the plant.
Vegetables That Grow in Water: Full List
Contrary to popular belief, some vegetables—even non-leafy ones—can be successfully grown in water. However, they need sufficient fertilizer application for them to grow delicious crops for you to harvest!
The most popular and common systems used to grow vegetables mainly with water at home and commercially are hydroponics and aeroponics. So yes, you’ll need to invest a bit more when growing vegetables in water compared to herbs.
Amaranth Greens (Amaranthus tricolor)
Common Names: Chinese spinach, edible amaranth
Sun Requirement: 6+ hours of full sun or 2–6 hours of partial shade
Plant Hardiness: 2–11
Though it is mostly known as a colorful foliage plant here in the West, amaranth greens are actually cooked and eaten like many other green leafy vegetables in Asia.
You can grow them in water by starting them from seeds first in either soil or grow plugs for easier transplanting into water systems like hydroponics later on.
Bok Choy (Brassica rapa subsp. chinensis)
Common Names: Field mustard, mustard Cabbage
Sun Requirement: 6+ hours of full sun or 2–6 hours of partial shade
Plant Hardiness: 2–11
A staple in numerous Chinese vegetable dishes, bok choy is a great vegetable to grow in water, especially if you’re tired of the taste of more common leafy greens in America or the UK.
Celery (Apium graveolens)
Common Names: Garden celery, marsh parsley, smallage, wild celery
Sun Requirement: 6+ hours of full sun
Plant Hardiness: Zones 3–9
Place healthy celery cuttings in water. Expose to full sunshine. Change the water every couple of days.
Press gently until seeds split into halves. Sprinkle the seeds in a net basket. Fill a container with water. Place the net basket on the water. Cover with cloth or paper. Expose to bright but indirect sunlight. Change the water twice a month.
The baby leaves of coriander are called cilantro. Btu these names can be used interchangeably.
Cucumber (Cucumis sativus)
Common Names: Garden cucumber
Sun Requirement: 6+ hours of full sun
Plant Hardiness: 2–11
What not many people realize is that you can get large cucumbers with very little water through aeroponic gardening!
In fact, you may have more cucumber than you can eat with this method of growing vegetables in water. But all those extra crunchy veggies won’t go to waste. You can always share them with friends and family!
Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare)
Common Names: Finocchio
Sun Requirement: 6+ hours of full sun
Plant Hardiness: Zones 4–11
Use the last 2 inches (5 cm) of the fennel plant with the roots intact. Put in a small glass container with water. Top up or refresh the water from time to time.
Garlic (Allium sativum)
Common Names: Camphor of the poor, rocambole, stinking rose
Sun Requirement: 6+ hours of full sun
Plant Hardiness: Zones 4–10
Submerge a garlic clove (with some green sprouts) in a glass of water. When the sprouts are about 4 inches (10 cm) high, you can cut off about a third of the shoot for use.
Otherwise, here's a quick guide on growing garlic at home!
Ginger (Zingiber officinale)
Common Names: Canton, stem ginger, true ginger
Sun Requirement: 2–6 hours of partial shade
Plant Hardiness: Zones 8–12
First, let the ginger take root in compost. When leaves and stems sprout, move the ginger root to a container with water.
Kale (Brassica oleracea var. sabellica)
Common Names: Ornamental cabbage
Sun Requirement: 6+ hours of full sun
Plant Hardiness: 2–11
It can be quite a pain to lose the leafy greens you’ve grown to pests like cabbage loopers. But with aquaponic systems, you can eat all the kale you want—raw or cooked!
By having fish provide the nutrients for your crispy kale, you can grow it in water with little to no need for supplemental fertilizers.
Leeks (Allium spp.)
Common Names: Broadleaf wild leek, elephant garlic, wild leek
Sun Requirement: 6+ hours of full sun
Plant Hardiness: Zones 3–10
Place the white lower 3-inch (7 cm) part of the leek stalk in 2 inches (5 cm) of water, expose it to sunlight, and replace the water every 3 days. The green part will regrow in about 3 days.
Remove the leaves on the lower portion of the cuttings. Then, place them in a container of water immediately.
Lettuce (Lactuca sativa)
Common Names: Head lettuce, leaf Lettuce
Sun Requirement: 6+ hours of full sun or 2–6 hours of partial shade
Plant Hardiness: 2–11
No fresh salad is ever complete with lettuce leaves that have a hint of sweetness. The great thing about is you can grow lettuce in water, with very little space.
A compact hydroponic set-up like this from Amazon will even fit a console table or your bedside table. It even has a built-in grow light, so you can use it right away!
Mustard Greens (Brassica juncea)
Common Names: Chinese mustard, Indian mustard, leaf mustard, Oriental mustard, vegetable mustard
Sun Requirement: 6+ hours of full sun or 2–6 hours of partial shade
Plant Hardiness: 2–11
Another delicious leafy vegetable you can grow in water is mustard greens. You can start their seeds 2 to 3 weeks apart for continuous harvest through the growing season. You can start snipping off the tender young mustard green leaves after just 1 to 2 months of planting them.
By growing them in contained water systems, you can also avoid having to deal with their aggressive growth, especially in Midwestern states where they’re considered noxious weeds.
Napa Cabbage (Brassica rapa subsp. pekinensis)
Common Names: Chinese cabbage, Peking cabbage
Sun Requirement: 6+ hours of full sun
Plant Hardiness: 4–9
Though closely related to bok choy, I would argue that napa cabbage is now more familiar thanks to the huge popularity of Korean culture, which, of course, includes its cuisine.
Napa cabbage can retain its crunchy texture even after getting fermented in a Korean famous side dish called kimchi. Grow it in water at home starting today so you can start cooking this dish too!
Onion (Allium cepa)
Common Names: Shallot
Sun Requirement: 6+ hours of full sun
Plant Hardiness: Zones 4–10
Place an onion root end down in just enough water to cover the roots. Every other day, change the water. Position the plant near a well-lit window.
Pepper (Capsicum annuum)
Common Names: Cayenne pepper, chili pepper, sweet pepper
Sun Requirement: 6+ hours of full sun
Plant Hardiness: Zones 4–11
Use a cutting from the lower half of a pepper plant. Position the cutting upright in a glass with water. In cold months, cover with plastic wrap and expose to indirect sunlight.
Spinach (Spinacia oleracea)
Common Names: Spinaches
Sun Requirement: 6+ hours of full sun or 2–6 hours of partial shade
Plant Hardiness: 2–11
Have spinach ready to harvest at home by growing it in water from seed. In doing so, you can harvest both baby spinach and mature leaves whenever a recipe calls for them.
Find out how to avoid having your spinach bolt!
Swiss Chard (Beta vulgaris subsp. vulgaris)
Common Names: Beet spinach, leaf beet, perpetual spinach
Sun Requirement: 6+ hours of full sun or 2–6 hours of partial shade
Plant Hardiness: 2–11
Like lettuce and spinach, you can start swiss chards from seed in cell trays. Then once their sturdy little seedlings, you can continue growing them in water through hydroponics, or any other water system.
Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum)
Common Names: Love apple
Sun Requirement: 6+ hours of full sun
Plant Hardiness: 2–11
Sauces, pasta, noodles, stews, salads, the list goes on for how many dishes you can cook with tomatoes. But it’s not the easiest thing to grow them outdoors considering how many pests are attracted by its tender leaves and juicy fruit!
Don’t fret! You can avoid all these problems by growing tomatoes in water indoors, with hydroponics. Just remember to give it some structural support too.
Water Spinach (Ipomoea aquatica)
Common Names: Chinese water spinach, kangkong, swamp cabbage
Sun Requirement: 6+ hours of full sun
Plant Hardiness: Zones 10–12
This edible plant is not common in the United States or the United Kingdom but you should consider growing it if you are looking for a non-bitter leafy green.
I personally love it in stir-fries and soups. If you’ve ever heard of the Filipino sour soup called sinigang this is a common vegetable mixed into it for added fiber and nutrients!
5 Steps to Grow Cuttings in Water
Growing cuttings in water is a cheap and easy shortcut, simply because seeds take longer from germination to maturity.
Here are five general steps to follow when growing plant cuttings in water.
- Choose: Select a stem from 4 to 6 inches (10–15 cm) long in a mature, healthy plant.
- Cut: Cut the selected stem part below a leaf node.
- Clean: Remove dirt, debris, and the lower leaves on the stem. Just make sure to leave 2 to 3 sets of leaves at the top.
- Immerse: Use clean water in a glass or transparent container to enjoy the view of the roots growing.
- Expose: Provide partial or shaded sunlight for 2 weeks or until roots emerge.
5 Benefits of Growing Plants in Water
People who grow plants in water indoors enjoy the many benefits of not using soil such as:
- No Diseases: Without dirt, plants are less likely to be exposed to pathogens or infections. Plants are more protected indoors and can be harvested all year round.
- No Pesticides: Plants are protected from pests, birds, and other animals. This means bigger, better fruits and leaves.
- No herbicides: In addition, there’s no need to deal with dirt or weeds.
- Easy watering: There’s no danger of overwatering or underwatering that can kill plants.
- Mobility: Plants grown in water can be rearranged to maximize space or protect them from extreme weather
5 Tips to Remember When Growing Plants in Water
You can enjoy soilless gardening, whether you use a glass jar by your window to grow a few herbs or you use a sophisticated pipe-and-pump system to grow crops for profit.
Whatever your choice is, these five (5) general tips can help you achieve the best results.
1. Know Your Plants
Know what plants can be regrown in water from scraps, grown totally in water, or rooted in water for transplant.
2. Know the Parts to Use
Know the parts of the plant that can be used for this purpose. Each plant will have varying chances of thriving in water depending on which part is cut from the mother or stock plant.
3. Use Good Stocks
Choose healthy plants. Don’t use plants or seeds that are genetically modified or treated with insecticides, preservatives, or growth retardants.
Use chilled runners instead of uprooting from the soil, which may have pathogens or diseases.
4. Provide Plant Needs
Apply the correct growing conditions such as a little or a lot of water, partial or full sunshine, changing the water, or adding liquid nutrients.
5. Set Proper Expectations
You won’t be disappointed if you know which plants are easy and which ones are challenging to grow in water; which plants regrow partially or completely; and which plants regrow like the parent plant and those that regrow differently.
FAQs
Can plants grow in just water?
Although plants can be grown in water they can’t survive on sterile water alone. Even aquatic plants require nutrients from other organic materials such as fish poop, decaying plant matter, and so on. Hence, using water-soluble fertilizers is necessary when growing plants in water at home.
How long can plants survive in standing water?
Most terrestrial plants can survive when kept in containers or soil with substantial standing water for at least 1 whole day. However, plants that are especially sensitive to too much water can quickly develop root rot and die.
How to grow chives from cuttings in water?
To grow chives from cuttings in water, leave about 2–3 inches of the plant from the base. With some of its roots still attached to the slim bulbous base, place all the cuttings in a small and shallow container with clean water. Their water must be replaced whenever it starts getting cloudy.
Summary of Grow Plants in Water
A wide variety of edible plants can be grown using hydroponics, aquaponics, aeroponics, or fogponics depending on the gardener’s needs and budget. It’s as simple as sticking a stem or seed in a little water or using a complex water piping or spraying system for a large crop.
The following herbs and vegetables can grow in water: arrowhead, brooklime, bur-reed, cattail, chocolate mint, flowering rush, sedges, water spinach, Lebanese cress, pondweed, Vietnamese mint, watercress, basil, bok choy, celery, garlic chives, coriander, fennel, garlic, ginger, lavender, leeks, lemongrass, marjoram, mint, onion, oregano, parsley, pepper, rosemary, sage, stevia, thyme, tomato, and so on.
Sources
- “How to Make Plants Grow Faster And Bigger: 5 Secrets Tips” by n/a in Saosis Biotech
- “Seed and Seedling Biology” by n/a in PennState Extension
- “Growing without soil: An overview of hydroponics” by P. Wootton-Beard in Farming Connect
- “Review on Aquaponics System as A Sustainable Food Production Source” by U. Sarfraz in LGUJLS
- “Energy efficient smart indoor fogponics farming system” by M. R. Uddin and M. F. Suliaman in Earth and Environmental Science
- “Hydroponics, aeroponic and aquaponic as compared with conventional farming” by A. AlShrouf in American Scientific Research Journal for Engineering, Technology, and Sciences
- “Aquaponics: A green and sustainable eco-tech for environmental cum economic benefits through integration of fish and edible crop cultivation” by S. Datta, et al in Wastewater Management Through Aquaculture
- “Aquaponic gardening: a step-by-step guide to raising vegetables and fish together” by n/a in S. Bernstein
- “Production of Some Medicinal Plants in Aeroponic System” by Z. Movahedi & M. Rostami in Journal of Medicinal plants and By-product
- “Plant organisation” by n/a in BBC
- “How roots find their way to water” by Goethe University Frankfurt in Science Daily
- “Small-scale hydroponics” by Natalie Hoidal, Amanda Reardon, Leah Worth, and Mary Rogers in the University of Minnesota Extension
