Soil is best for plants, but water plays a big role too—sometimes such a big role that certain succulents can even grow better in water.
Tired of playing the guessing game with soil moisture and accidental root rot? Imagine a world where you can see your plant’s roots growing in real time, perfectly hydrated and mess-free. Beyond a chic look, some species actually grow faster and healthier without a single speck of dirt. Let’s explore together!
Water-Loving Succulents
1. Snake Plant
Botanical Name: Dracaena trifasciata (formerly Sansevieria trifasciata)
One of the most indestructible indoor plants, it survives in very low light and adapts well to developing specialized water roots. It is the ultimate “slow-motion” plant that won’t overgrow its vase overnight, making it a perfect low-maintenance centerpiece for a desk or shelf.
Caution: The only way to break this indestructible plant is by drowning the leaves. Make sure only the bottom inch of the plant touches the water-if the leaves get a bath, they will quickly turn to mush.
2. Jade Plant
Botanical Name: Crassula ovata
Growing a jade plant in water is like putting your financial luck into a crystal ball and watching your fortune take root in real time. It also makes a perfect gift for friends and loved ones, as it is popularly known as the Friendship tree and a symbol of wealth and prosperity.
Tip: If you give your jade plant plenty of bright sunlight, the edges of the leaves will turn lipstick red, making your water garden look more expressive.
3. Zebra Plant
Botanical Name: Haworthiopsis fasciata
While most of the plants are down to earth, this striped wonder is perfectly happy to get its feet wet in a stylish glass of water. Growing it in water is like giving a desert nomad a permanent oasis; it’s a total fish-out-of-water story that actually has a happy ending!
4. Money Plant (Pothos)
Botanical Name: Epipremnum aureum
The ultimate social butterfly of the plant kingdom, this climber is always ready to reach for the stars; it’s secretly working double time to scrub the air clean while you sleep. It grows better in water than soil and it is a definite try for you to try to grow in water.
Caution: It is toxic to cats and dogs if chewed.
5. Strings Of Heart
Botanical Name: Ceropegia woodii
A vine of green ladders, each leaf a tiny, beating heart suspended on a purple thread, creating a curtain of emerald rain that shimmers in the morning light. It is a hopeless romantic of the succulent world; it grows faster and stays cleaner in water, but the roots are more fragile and require extra care to stay healthy.
Did you know it is nicknamed the “Rosary Vine” because its long strands and bead-like tubers resemble a string of prayer beads.
6. Echereveia
She might be a wallflower in the wild, but in a glass jar, she’s the life of the party. Growing Echeveria in water is a bold, stylish move that highlights their stunning rose-like shape.
Tip: Use a vase with a narrow neck or place a piece of plastic mesh over a wider jar to cradle the echeveria so only its roots touch the water.
7. Dragon Fruit Cactus
Botanical Name: Hylocereus
This little friend here is surprisingly thirsty for a cactus and grows entirely in water if you properly support its heavy stems. This cactus is known for its nocturnal blooms and famous ‘pitaya’ fruit.
Fact: Its flowers only bloom for one night and are often pollinated by bats or moths.
8. Aloe Vera
Botanical Name: Aloe barbadensis miller
Last but not least on the list, Aloe Vera is remarkably adaptable to water, and you can grow it through a method called “water culture.” It has a self-healing characteristic that seals wounds or broken leaf tips, a trait it maintains even in water.
Did you know? It is often called the “First Aid Plant” because its gel has been used for over 4,000 years to treat burns and skin irritations.
Growing succulents in water is like pulling a rabbit out of a hat. By trading your trowel for a crystal vase, you’re not just growing a plant-you’re revealing a hidden world of pearly roots and liquid lights. So, are you ready to ditch the dirt and let your succulents take a permanent dip? Do let us know in the comments which succulents you are turning into your next liquid masterpiece.
