19 Incredible Plants You Can Propagate in Water

Have you ever looked at a houseplant and thought, “I wish I could grow more of those”? Well, good news – you can! Many common indoor plants can be propagated, or multiplied, simply by rooting them in water.

This is a fun, easy, and inexpensive way to grow your plant collection. We’re going to look at 20 amazing plants that you can propagate in water. From classic houseplants to trendy succulents, these are some of the best options for water propagation.

Why Propagate in Water?

There are several benefits to propagating plants in water compared to other methods:

It’s Easy: Water propagation is one of the simplest ways to multiply your plants. All you need is a jar or container, some water, and a plant cutting. No soil, special equipment, or green thumb required.
It’s Inexpensive: Propagating in water is virtually free. You don’t have to buy new plants or potting mix. Just use what you already have at home.
You Can Watch the Progress: One of the most satisfying things about water propagation is being able to see the roots develop. It’s really cool to watch new growth emerge from a simple cutting.
It’s a Great Way to Share Plants: Once your water-propagated plants have rooted, you can pot them up and give them to friends, family, or even sell them. It’s a wonderful way to spread the plant love.
It’s Forgiving: If a water propagation project doesn’t work out, it’s easy to try again with a new cutting. Plants are resilient, and water propagation has a pretty high success rate.

How to Propagate Plants in Water

Now that you know all the amazing plants you can propagate in water, let’s go over the simple steps:

Take a Cutting: Use clean, sharp scissors or pruners to snip off a 4-6 inch stem or leaf segment from your plant. Make sure to include a node, which is the point where leaves or new growth emerges.
Remove Lower Leaves: Trim off any leaves that will be submerged in the water. This helps the cutting focus its energy on growing roots instead of sustaining leaves.
Place in Water: Find a clean glass, jar, or container and fill it with room temperature water. Carefully place the cutting in the water, making sure the node is fully submerged.
Change the Water: Every 5-7 days, carefully remove the cutting and replace the water. This helps prevent bacteria and algae growth.
Wait for Roots: In 2-4 weeks, you should start to see tiny white roots emerging from the stem. Once the roots are 1-2 inches long, the cutting is ready to be potted up.
Pot Up the Cutting: Gently remove the rooted cutting from the water and plant it in a small pot filled with well-draining potting mix. Water it thoroughly.
Acclimate to Soil: Place the newly potted plant in a shaded area for 7-10 days to help it adjust from water to soil. Gradually expose it to more light.
Enjoy Your New Plant! With proper care, your water-propagated plant should thrive and grow into a healthy, mature specimen.

20 Plants to Propagate in Water

Ready to get started? Here are 20 fantastic plants that you can easily propagate in water:

1. Pothos

Pothos are classic trailing houseplants known for their gorgeous, heart-shaped leaves. They’re one of the easiest plants to propagate in water. Simply snip off a 4-6 inch stem with a few leaves, place it in water, and watch the roots grow.

2. Philodendron

Similar to pothos, philodendrons are another popular vining plant that roots well in water. Look for varieties like the heart-leaf philodendron or the neon philodendron. Cut a stem with a few leaves and submerge the end in water.

3. Snake Plant

Snake plants, also called mother-in-law’s tongue, can be propagated from leaf cuttings. Cut a healthy leaf into 2-3 inch segments, place the bottom ends in water, and new plants will emerge.

4. Monstera Deliciosa

The trendy Swiss cheese plant, or monstera, is another great candidate for water propagation. Snip off a stem with 2-3 leaves and aerial roots, and watch it sprout even more roots in the water.

5. Tradescantia (Wandering Jew)

These vibrant, trailing plants come in a range of colors like purple, green, and variegated. Take a 4-6 inch stem cutting and place it in water to root.

6. ZZ Plant

ZZ plants are known for being nearly indestructible. Propagate them by cutting off a stem with a few leaves, submerging the end in water, and waiting for roots to form.

7. Jade Plant

Jade plants are succulents that can be easily propagated from leaf or stem cuttings in water. Just be sure to let the cut end callus over for a day or two before putting it in water.

8. Chinese Evergreen

Chinese evergreens, or aglaonemas, have beautiful foliage and come in many color variations. Take a stem cutting with a few leaves, place it in water, and watch for new growth.

9. Peperomia

The thick, fleshy leaves of peperomia plants make them great candidates for water propagation. Try propagating varieties like the watermelon peperomia or the ripple peperomia.

10. Fiddle-Leaf Fig

Yes, even the trendy fiddle-leaf fig can be propagated in water! Take a stem cutting from a healthy plant, remove the lower leaves, and place it in water.