You don’t need a green thumb or a bag of messy potting soil to bring nature into your home. Many common houseplants are surprisingly happy living entirely in water, allowing you to see their root systems grow through clear containers. This method of growing plants in glass jars is low-maintenance and gets rid of the guesswork of watering schedules.
Using glass pots for plants turns a simple cutting into a piece of living decor. Whether you have a dark corner that needs a bit of life or a sunny windowsill, moving your greenery into water is a great way to simplify your plant care. Here are the best varieties to try and how to keep them healthy in their new aquatic homes.
Lucky Bamboo Stalks in Tall Cylindrical Vases
Lucky Bamboo is a classic choice for water culture because it is incredibly hardy. Placing several stalks in a tall cylindrical vase provides the support they need to stay upright as they grow toward the light. You only need an inch or two of water at the bottom to keep them happy, but the tall glass helps create a clean, architectural look.
Pothos Cuttings in Vintage Glass Bottles
Pothos is perhaps the easiest plant to grow in water. These vines develop thick white roots quickly when placed in vintage glass bottles or old soda containers. To keep them healthy, change the water every week or two to keep it fresh and clear. The trailing stems will eventually drape down the sides of the bottle, creating a lush look with very little effort.
Philodendron Heartleaf in Wide Mouth Glass Jars
The heart-shaped leaves of this philodendron look great when paired with the sturdy silhouette of a wide-mouth jar. These plants thrive in indirect light and can live for years without soil. Just make sure the nodes—the little bumps on the stem where leaves grow—are submerged, as this is where the new roots will sprout from.
Spider Plant Babies in Small Glass Bowls
When your spider plant starts producing small plantlets on long stems, you can snip them off and place them in a small glass bowl. These babies are eager to grow and will fill the bowl with a dense network of roots. Keeping them in a shallow bowl allows the leaves to sit above the rim while the roots stay submerged.
English Ivy Trails in Hanging Glass Terrariums
English Ivy is a fast grower that looks beautiful when its vines hang from a height. Using hanging glass containers for these plants allows you to see the delicate root structure while the green leaves trail downward. It is a good idea to use distilled water or rainwater for ivy, as they can sometimes be sensitive to the chemicals in tap water.
Monstera Deliciosa Leaves in Large Glass Jugs
A single Monstera leaf in a large glass jug makes a bold statement. These large leaves have thick stems that need a heavy container so they don’t tip over. The roots that grow from Monstera cuttings are thick and rope-like, which adds an interesting visual element to the clear glass setup.
Peace Lily Divisions in Modern Glass Pots
Peace Lilies are one of the few flowering plants that grow in water indoor quite well. You can take a small division from a larger plant, wash the soil off the roots thoroughly, and place it in a glass pot. They are great at telling you when they need attention; if the leaves start to droop, it’s time to top off the water level.
Chinese Evergreen Stems in Frosted Glass Containers
Chinese Evergreens are known for being tough and tolerating low light conditions. Placing a few stems in frosted glass containers hides the murky look that water can sometimes get while still showing off the plant’s variegated leaves. They grow slowly, so they won’t outgrow their container too quickly.
Coleus Cuttings in Colorful Glass Vials
If you want a pop of color, Coleus is the way to go. Their bright pink, purple, and lime green leaves look striking in small colorful glass vials on a windowsill. These cuttings root very fast, often within just a few days, making them a fun project if you want to see quick results.
Arrowhead Vine in Recycled Glass Mason Jars
Arrowhead vines have a distinct leaf shape that changes as the plant matures. They are very happy in recycled mason jars and will eventually start to climb or trail. They are heavy drinkers, so keep an eye on the water level in your plants in glass jars to ensure the roots never go dry.
Sweet Potato Vine in Clear Glass Decanters
You can grow a lush, lime-green or dark purple vine just by placing a sprouting sweet potato or a cutting in a glass decanter. The vines grow rapidly and can reach several feet in length. The clear glass allows you to watch the tuber develop a massive system of roots that fill the container.
Wandering Dude Cuttings in Round Glass Globes
This plant is famous for its shimmering purple and green leaves. It is very easy to propagate in water, and placing cuttings in round glass globes highlights its vibrant colors. It tends to grow quickly, so you can prune the stems often to keep the plant looking bushy and full inside the glass.
Lucky Bamboo Braids in Square Glass Blocks
Braided Lucky Bamboo offers a more decorative look than straight stalks. Using a square glass block provides a stable base for the top-heavy braids. You can add small river stones to the bottom of the glass to help anchor the plant and add an extra layer of texture to the display.
Snake Plant Offsets in Heavy Glass Cylinder Vases
While usually grown in soil, Snake Plants can survive in water for a long time. They are quite heavy, so a thick, weighted glass cylinder is necessary to keep them from falling over. Only the bottom of the plant should touch the water to prevent the leaves from rotting.
African Violet Leaves in Shallow Glass Dishes
You can actually grow new African Violet plants from just a single leaf. By suspending a leaf over a shallow glass dish so only the stem touches the water, you will eventually see tiny plantlets form at the base. It is a slow process, but watching the new life emerge through the glass is very rewarding.
Maranta Prayer Plants in Fluted Glass Vases
Prayer plants are known for folding their leaves up at night. They do well in water and look elegant in fluted glass vases that complement their patterned foliage. They prefer slightly warmer water and filtered light, so avoid placing them in drafty areas or direct afternoon sun.
Begonia Cuttings in Decorative Glass Apothecary Jars
Begonias have some of the most interesting leaf textures and colors in the plant world. Many varieties, like the Rex Begonia, can be rooted in water. Using decorative apothecary jars adds a vintage feel to the display, turning the plant into a focal point on a shelf or desk.
Dracaena Marginata in Narrow Glass Beakers
The spiky, upright leaves of the Dracaena Marginata look great in narrow glass beakers. This setup gives off a clean, scientific vibe that fits well in modern homes. These plants are slow growers, so they can stay in the same glass container for a long time without needing much maintenance.
Impatiens Stems in Simple Glass Drinking Tumblers
Impatiens aren’t just for the garden. If you take a few stems and put them in a simple glass tumbler, they will often continue to bloom indoors. This is a great way to bring some floral color inside during the summer months, and the roots will quickly fill the glass.