Top 15 Houseplants That Thrive When Propagated in Water

One of the most unexpected joys of tending to plants is discovering how easily life begins again—with nothing more than a single stem and a clear jar of water.

I wasn’t planning to add more plants to our already leafy home. Between my twins’ experiments with sprouting avocado pits and the herbs on every sunny ledge, our windowsills were already full. But then came the coleus—a gift from a friend who’d been trimming hers and offered me a vibrant little cutting. I popped it into a glass near the sink, not expecting much. Within days, roots unfurled like threads of lace, and I was hooked.

There’s something magical about water propagation. It’s quiet, peaceful, and beautifully simple. You get to witness growth in slow motion—watching white roots stretch downward while new leaves reach for the sun. Best of all, it doesn’t require fancy tools or gardening experience. Just light, water, and a little curiosity.

In this post, I’ll walk you through 15 houseplants that thrive in water—each one tried, loved, and rooted either in my own home or in the homes of garden-loving friends. Whether you’re new to houseplants or looking to multiply your favorites, these are the ones I always come back to. Let’s explore them, one cutting at a time.

#1. Monstera

The first Monstera cutting I ever received came in the mail, wrapped in damp paper towels and hope. It looked a little sad—just a single stem with a node and no roots in sight. I dropped it into a tall glass and waited.

A few weeks later, long white roots began curling around the jar. Watching them grow, day by day, was like watching confidence return.

Tips to Propagate:

• Snip a stem just below a node (that little knuckle where roots will grow).

• Place it in clean water and give it bright, indirect light.

• Be patient—Monsteras don’t rush, but they will root.

#2. ZZ Plant

Propagating ZZ plants in water taught me patience I didn’t know I had. My friend Sarah swears by it. She rooted hers in a whiskey tumbler on her bookshelf, and it sat there for nearly a month before showing signs of life.

And when it did? It was worth every day of waiting. Those glossy green leaves are worth it.

Water Propagation Notes:

• Choose a healthy stem and submerge the base in water.

• Place in a bright but not sunny spot.

• Expect slow growth—but sturdy results.

#3. Rosemary

Rosemary reminds me of my grandmother. She kept sprigs tucked in drawers, tied in ribbons, and once showed me how to root it in a glass on her kitchen sill.

It can take a bit longer than soft-stemmed plants, but once the roots appear, you’ll have a fragrant little bush ready to plant—or keep trimming for tea.

Simple Steps:

• Use softwood cuttings (not woody stems).

• Keep the water clean and the light bright.

• Snip and use regularly to encourage fresh growth.

#4. Basil

There’s nothing like the scent of fresh basil on your fingers. I keep a jar of it in my kitchen all summer long—cuttings from my main plant, rooting away while I pinch leaves for pesto, sandwiches, or even just to smell.

It roots quickly and generously, perfect for beginners and impatient gardeners alike.

Propagation How-To:

• Snip a 4–6 inch stem, remove lower leaves, and place in water.

• Within days, you’ll see roots form.

• Refresh the water every few days and keep it on a sunny sill.

#5. Coleus

Coleus was one of the first plants my twins got excited about. They were fascinated by its pink and green leaves and how fast it grew in a cup of water.

Honestly, I was too.

What I’ve Learned:

• Cut just below a node and place the stem in water.

• Keep it in indirect light—too much sun will dull the color.

• Once rooted, it thrives in pots or directly in the garden.

#6. Mint

A cutting of mint in a jar by the kitchen window just feels right. My husband calls it “the kitchen perfume,” and he’s not wrong. The scent lifts everything.

And the roots? They grow like wildfire. Mint is generous like that.

Water Growing Tips:

• Choose a healthy stem, remove lower leaves, and place it in water.

• Keep it in partial sunlight and use it regularly to prevent legginess.

• Once rooted, it can go into soil—or stay right where it is.

#7. Arrowhead Plant

I found my first arrowhead cutting in a garden group swap. It came in a tiny bag, no roots, just a single heart-shaped leaf. I dropped it in water, not expecting much—and was so surprised when it exploded into a cascade of roots and new leaves within weeks.

Now I keep one by the window in the hallway—it’s like a little green waterfall.

To Grow Yours:

• Cut a stem with a node.

• Place in water with indirect light.

• Change water weekly for best growth.

#8. Sweet Potato Vine

The first time I stuck a sweet potato in a jar of water, it was just for fun with my kids. We placed toothpicks around the top, balanced it over a mason jar, and waited.

And then—magic. In just a few days, bright green vines began spilling over the sides like something out of a fairytale. Now, it’s a seasonal favorite.

Quick Growing Method:

• Use a firm, healthy sweet potato.

• Suspend over a jar of water using toothpicks.

• Place in bright light and enjoy the fast-growing show.

#9. Wandering Jew

I first saw this plant in my friend Dani’s window. Her kitchen was glowing with late afternoon light, and the purple-green vines were spilling dramatically out of a glass jar. I asked her if it was hard to keep alive. She laughed and said, “Honestly? It thrives on being ignored.”

And it’s true. Wandering Jew is one of the easiest plants to root in water—and one of the prettiest to watch grow.

Why You’ll Love It:

• The striped leaves shimmer in purple, silver, and green.

• It roots quickly in water—just snip a piece below a node and place it in a clear jar.

• Keep it in bright, indirect light, and it’ll grow like a dream.

#10. Peace Lily

This plant has always had a kind of grace to it. I remember walking into a local library years ago and seeing one quietly blooming beside the checkout counter. That memory never left me.

While peace lilies are typically grown in soil, they can also adapt beautifully to water if started from a rooted division.

Propagation Notes:

• Gently divide a peace lily with visible roots from the mother plant.

• Place the root section in clean water, just deep enough to submerge the roots.

• Refresh the water every week and keep it out of direct sun for best results.

It’s one of those plants that feels like a deep breath in your space—calming, clean, and quietly elegant.

#11. English Ivy

A neighbor once brought me a trailing sprig of English ivy tucked inside a birthday card. “It roots like magic,” she wrote—and she wasn’t wrong.

If you’ve got a high shelf, a mantel, or even just a hook on the wall, this plant will give you cascading vines in no time.

To Propagate:

• Snip a few inches of vine with 2–3 nodes.

• Place it in a small vase or bottle with the bottom node submerged.

• Watch for roots in about a week.

Bonus Tip: It looks beautiful paired with terracotta pots, vintage jars, or antique-style bottles.

#12. Lucky Bamboo

Not technically bamboo, but always a favorite! I once saw an entire kitchen windowsill lined with lucky bamboo stalks in old glass bottles—each one tied with red ribbon and surrounded by polished pebbles. The simplicity was stunning.

To Grow in Water:

• Place the stalks upright in filtered water with pebbles or marbles for support.

• Change the water every 10–14 days.

• Avoid direct sun—soft, ambient light works best.

Many say this plant brings harmony and good fortune. At the very least, it brings a touch of calm to any room.

#13. Philodendron

This one’s a go-to in my home. Every time I trim my heartleaf philodendron, I pop the cuttings in water—and by the next week, I’ve got a fresh batch of baby plants ready for gifts or new corners.

Why Gardeners Love It:

• Fast-growing and extremely forgiving.

• Just one or two nodes in water will root in days.

• Great for hanging baskets, shelf edges, or tall jars on sunny windowsills.

Quick Tip: The heart-shaped leaves grow toward the light, so rotate the jar every few days for even growth.

#14. Spider Plant

Spider plants are like the generous friend who always brings extra snacks. Once mature, they send out little “babies” on long, arching stems—perfect for propagating.

I’ve shared these with neighbors, tucked them into jars as housewarming gifts, and even used them in a kids’ science project. They’re so easy and reliable.

How to Grow:

• Clip a baby (called a plantlet) from the mother plant.

• Set the base in water—no need to bury the whole thing.

• Place in a well-lit spot and enjoy fast root growth within a few days.

#15. Pothos

If I had to name a plant MVP, it would be pothos. It was the first houseplant I ever successfully propagated in water, and I’ve never looked back.

Its vines are forgiving, fast-growing, and absolutely beautiful whether draped across a shelf or climbing up a wall.

Propagation Steps:

• Snip a stem just below a node.

• Drop it into any jar or glass with clean water.

• Set it in low to bright indirect light—this plant is wonderfully adaptable.

Why It Stands Out:

• It roots fast—sometimes in as little as three days.

• It purifies the air and grows steadily without fuss.

• A perfect “confidence booster” for new plant lovers.

Final Thoughts – Let the Green Multiply Gently

There’s something deeply comforting about growing new life from just a single cutting. No rush. No soil. Just a quiet jar of water, a patch of light, and a bit of faith. It’s a reminder, at least for me, that growth doesn’t always have to be fast to be meaningful.

Each of these plants carries its own little story—some are fast-rooters, others take their sweet time. Some came to me through neighbors, friends, or online plant swaps. Others started as quiet experiments on windowsills. But all of them offered something more than just green—they offered peace, wonder, and the simple joy of watching something thrive.

So if you’ve been thinking of dipping your toe into houseplants, or just want to grow more from what you already have, I hope this list encourages you to start. Choose a stem. Find a jar. Let the light in. And enjoy the calm that comes with it.