Hydroponics.
It sounds like something you'd need a lab coat and safety goggles for – but it's really just a fancy word for growing plants in water instead of soil.
No compost, no perlite, no potting mix under your fingernails. Just a clean glass vase, some water, a splash of nutrients now and then, and your plant doing its thing.
BTW… Hydroponics comes from the Greek word for “working water,” and the idea has been around since the Hanging Gardens of Babylon. Cool, right? Today, it’s making a serious comeback in modern homes – not just for the minimalist vibes, but because it actually works.
Plants absorb nutrients directly from water, grow faster with the right light, and (here’s the kicker) are way easier to care for.
If you’ve ever popped a cutting in a jar to root, you’ve already dabbled in hydroponics. Congrats, you’re a scientist.
Why Go Soil-Free?
Because:
• You can see the roots growing
• It looks stunning in glass
• There’s no risk of overwatering
• And no fungus gnats (those little devils need soil)
It’s the perfect plant setup for those of us who love the look of plants but not always the mess.
And if you’re thinking, “but what about root rot?”
I used to worry about that too. Until I learned that root rot doesn’t come from water. It comes from a lack of oxygen.
When roots are stuck in soggy soil for too long, they can’t breathe. But in clean water with plenty of oxygen? They’re as happy as Larry. Whoever he is.
My Monstera Water Vase Experiment
Now, I’m not just rambling theory here. I’ve tested this myself.
I’ve tried it with both a Snake Plant and Monstera (links to the vids).
I grabbed a clean, straight-sided vase from the charity shop (tip: avoid anything with a narrow neck – it’s a nightmare later), popped in some dark decorative stones (also a tip: light stones = algae city), and added a top cutting of my Monstera.
Why a top cutting?
Because it keeps growing like the original, with all those beautiful holes and splits in the leaves. Lower cuttings tend to revert back to juvenile form – perfectly fine, but a bit disappointing when you were expecting drama.
And then I just... left it.
Well, not completely. I change the water every week or two. Add a drop of liquid fertiliser every month or so. But otherwise? It’s thriving.
The roots are visible. The leaves look lush. And the whole thing makes a cracking centrepiece. It’s like watching a sculpture grow in real-time.
3 Houseplants That Also Love the Hydro Life
If you’re keen to try it for yourself, here are a few plants that do brilliantly in water:
1. Pothos (Epipremnum aureum)
Fast-growing, low-maintenance, and basically indestructible. Just snip, dunk, and let it trail.
2. Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum)
Cute little plantlets that dangle off like confetti. Pop them in water and they’ll sprout roots in no time.
3. Lucky Bamboo (Dracaena sanderiana)
Not a real bamboo, but still looks fancy. Stick it in pebbles and water, and it’ll grow like a dream (just don’t let it dry out).
