Over the past couple of decades, humanity has undoubtedly had immense technological advancements. These advancements have greatly improved the quality of various facets of life. As impressive as this steady progress is, it isn’t the greatest wonder of humanity. That title is still held by mother nature in all its magnificence.
As we all know, mother nature encapsulates the beauty of the earth as well as the beings who inhabit it. In the exquisite words of award-winning writer Alice Walker, “In nature, nothing is perfect, and everything is perfect. Trees can be contorted, bent in weird ways and they’re still beautiful.”
But what exactly makes nature so beautiful? Is it the serenity and the joy it brings to our hearts? Or is it the soothing fresh breeze and fantastic sights? Whatever it might be, it’s undeniable that in the presence of the glory of nature, all our problems seem to fade away, even if it’s just for a moment.
Today’s article is centered on one of the wonders of mother nature: plants that can grow in the water! By the end of this article, not only will you have a better understanding of how plants can survive on water alone, but you shall also be able to identify these plants and even grow and care for some by yourself.
Without further ado, let’s dive right in!
Table of Contents
How Do Plants Grow in Water?
As with most concepts in life, it’s always better to start your approach with conceptual clarification. Hence, this section shall discuss exactly how a plant can survive on water alone.
From our elementary school days, we were always taught that a plant needs about four things to survive. Namely: Water, sunlight, good soil, and carbon dioxide. These were the primary boxes that needed to be ticked for photosynthesis to occur. How then can a plant survive without proper soil? Where will the roots take nutrients from? Will the plant live for long?
To effectively answer these questions, I’d like to introduce you to a concept known as hydroponic gardening.
In simple terms, hydroponic gardening is a method of propagating or growing plants without using soil in any capacity. You see, the term “hydroponic” comes from the two Greek words, “Hydro,” meaning water, and “ponos,” meaning work. In hydroponic gardening, the water delivers nutrients to the plant in place of the soil.
You see, in traditional gardening systems, plants utilize water, sunlight, carbon dioxide, and various nutrients to grow and survive. These “various nutrients” are essential for a plant’s growth. As such, there must be a steady supply of these nutrients for the plant to survive. In our regular gardening systems, these nutrients are supplied by the soil. At times, fertilizers are added to supplement the nutrients provided by the soil.
On the other hand, hydroponic systems do not have any soil supply system of any sort. Some variations use a soil substitute such as perlite or aged bark, while others use water alone to supply nutrients to the plant in question. But how exactly are these nutrients supplied to plants?
Its’s simple. In this form of gardening, nutrients are dissolved into the water surrounding the plant’s roots. The roots then absorb the nutrients to grow and nurture the plant. This gardening system is favorable as plants tend to grow faster and more nourished using this method. In addition, many crop pests and diseases find refuge in the soil. By eliminating the use of soil, we can avoid crop pests and diseases, thereby having a well-nourished plant.
In addition, by dissolving nutrients directly into the water, the plant has easier access and can absorb with ease. Ironically, most hydroponic gardening systems require less water than traditional gardening systems. What’s more, these “water-powered systems” take up very little space and can be utilized indoors and outdoors.
How to Start Growing Plants in Water
Now that we have obtained conceptual clarity, we can move forward to actionable steps you can take to begin your hydroponic gardening journey.
Unlike traditional gardening, your journey into the illustrious world of hydroponic gardening is significantly easier. Starting an indoor water garden can be done using any container that can hold water. Bottles and waterproof receptacles will do the job just fine. However, watch out for containers made with lead, brass, or copper, as these could react with the water or corrode when exposed to fertilizer. This, in turn, could damage your plants.
Another thing you would want to look out for is a darker or opaque container. These containers are great for preventing algae formation. Once you’re comfortable with your choice of containers, the next step is to add elements to the water. The wise choice would be to fill the container halfway with “florist’s foam,” gravel, pebbles, marbles, or even beads. You could also add a tiny piece of charcoal to keep the water clean.
The last step is essential to the growth of every plant. Can you guess what it is? The water and nutrients, of course! All you have to do is mix a solution of water and fertilizer. You would want to look out for water-soluble fertilizers and mix one-quarter of the recommended amount with the water.
What Are the Plants You Can Easily Grow in Water?
Now that you’ve learned how to launch your hydroponic gardening journey, what’s next? The selection of plants, of course! This section covers five essential plants for every hydroponic garden. Let’s head right in!
1. Heart-Leaf Philodendron
The heart-leaf philodendron is the perfect plant to kick off your hydroponic gardening journey. As the name implies, its heart-shaped leaves make fantastic indoor and outdoor décor.
To grow this plant in water, all you need to do is cut a stem (about 5 to 6 inches long) that has at least three heart-shaped leaves. Afterward, put the stem in your container, and add water. The philodendron loves indirect sunlight, so you would want to keep the container in a sunny location. However, you wouldn’t want to expose it to direct sunlight, as this can be damaging, especially in its nascent stages.
In addition, to facilitate growth and nourishment, it would be best to change the water every three to four days. After roots start growing in the water, you can change the water every five or six weeks and add the right amount of water-soluble fertilizer.
2. Pothos
The pothos plant is another fantastic addition to any hydroponic garden. Also known as the “Epipremnum aureum,” the pothos plant is similar to the philodendron due to its heart-shaped leaves.
The pothos plant comes in many varieties, which all look great in the water. However, the most stunning variations are the vibrant yellow and green variants.
To propagate this plant in water, all you need to do is cut a six-inch-long stem just below a node of the plant. Afterward, put it in a dark jar or vase, and fill it with water. The pothos plant hates direct sunlight, so it would be best to place it in partial shade to facilitate its growth.
3. Chinese Evergreen
As the name implies, this vibrantly colored plant is another great way to kick off your gardening endeavors. Also called the “Aglaonema,” the Chinese evergreen is one of the best-suited plants for hydroponic gardening because it roots easily. In addition, its bulky central stem ensures that it fits perfectly in a narrow water vase.
To grow the Chinese evergreen, separate a stem from its root base and remove every ounce of soil and dirt. You would want to add a two- or three-inch layer of pebbles, gravel, and other decorative items in the vase. Afterward, add your water, put the stem into the vase, and enjoy the view.
4. Dumbcane
Next up on the list, we have a plant that some call “the brother of the Chinese evergreen.” The dumbcane plant (also called the “Dieffenbachia”) is an excellent addition to any water garden. Like the Chinese evergreen, its thick central stem, alongside vibrant foliage, makes it exceptionally attractive for growing in vases.
You can propagate it similarly to the Chinese evergreen and add more decorative items like marbles or tree bark to spice things up. To facilitate healthy growth, you should change the water and add nutrients (fertilizers) every few weeks.
5. English Ivy
Also known as the “Hedera helix,” the English ivy plant is a stunning plant that looks excellent in a water garden. It is one of the easiest trailing plants to grow in water because it roots relatively fast.
What’s more, you can grow these plants in water for a couple of months. However, you may need to transfer the plant to a soil medium after that. If you enjoy having the trailing plant in your indoor garden, you just have to replace the plant with new stems/cuttings every couple of months. That, in its entirety, is the true beauty of gardening.
Other beautiful additions to your water garden include the arrowhead plant, the spider plant (chlorophytum comosum), the lucky bamboo plant, and the ornamental sweet potato.
Due to recent developments, many agricultural experts don’t only see hydroponic gardening as a fantastic way for inexperienced gardeners to grow a couple of plants. They see it as the future of food production. These water gardens are versatile, don’t take up space, and can even be used in “un-farmable” areas to grow food crops. Undoubtedly, this innovative form of gardening has a bright future in the agricultural scene.
Ultimately, hydroponic gardening helps nurture a variety of edible plants such as herbs, vegetables, and even some fruits. It ensures a steady nutrient supply while avoiding crop pests caused using soil. That, in its entirety, is worthy of praise.
To this end, I leave you with the exquisite words of American Scientist Liberty Hyde Bailey. “A garden requires patient labor and attention. Plants do not grow merely to satisfy ambitions or fulfil good intentions. They thrive because someone expended effort on them.”
If you have any further questions or reservations, kindly check our FAQ section below.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
The following are well-curated questions and answers that pop up a lot about the world of hydroponic gardening. Kindly read through as we shall answer some questions you didn’t even know you wanted to ask.
Typically, to ensure proper growth, you should cut a stem about five to six inches long.
To avoid crop pests and diseases rooted in the soil, removing the roots before transplanting them into your vase would be advisable.
Of course! If you try hydroponic gardening and it’s just not your style, you can easily transition back to your regular gardening system. All you need to do is allow your plant’s roots to develop in the vase before transplanting.
Absolutely! It’s one of the easiest and least-tasking forms of gardening out there.
Generally, no. However, it depends on the scale of the garden you’re creating. Most of the items you need (like vases, marbles, pebbles, decorative items, and fertilizers) are typically inexpensive.
