
8 plants you can grow with just water and no soil from scratch
Taking care of plants can be time-consuming, but these houseplants only require minimal care and zero mess and still transform a space with their luscious blooms
Every gardener knows that taking care of a plant can be a time-consuming task. If you're looking for a mess-free plant that just requires water to survive, these are the best plants to get started with, experts say.
Now that the temperatures are rising and the summer is around the corner, plants need the attention for survival. However, some others require even much more care, and not everyone wants to deal with the mess of potting soil.
Growing houseplants in water is a good option for those with busy schedules, as they only require water to thrive and survive, looking as good as new for weeks, if not months. Here are eight plants, as shared by DIY Everywhere:
Peace Lily
Peace Lilies are beautiful because of their white blooms and green leaves. As per their maintenance, just ensure that the plant's roots are covered in water, making sure that the crown is above the waterline. They also thrive the best when the sunlight hits them directly.
Lucky Bamboo
Associated with good luck and prosperity, Lucky Bamboo's don't need a lot of attention. To grow, just ensure the stalks are in a vase with at least an inch of water. Also, make sure the roots are submerged, changing the water every two weeks and away from the sunlight as it can burn the leaves.
Photos
Also known as the Devil's Ivy, this plant thrives in water and doesn't need a lot of care. For them to grow, simply cut a healthy vine with some leaves and put it in a vase with water. The water needs to be changed every couple of weeks, rinsing the roots for them to remain healthy.
Spider Plant
Spider Plants are known to be air purifiers, and are very easy to take care of. To do so, take a 'pup' and put it in a container with water. Just make sure that the base of the plantlet is well submerged and that the leaves are above the waterline, replacing the water every two weeks.
Philodendron
Philondendon are classic houseplants, and don't need sunlight to survive - just water. Cut the stem, leaving a few leaves and place in a jar with water. However, it's important to replace the water every two weeks and clean the container to avoid algae growth.
English Ivy
Versatile and elegant, English Ivy only needs a cool environment to thrive at their best. It's important to cut a section of the vine and remove several leaves before placing them on a vase. Change the water every couple of weeks, raising the roots for them to remain healthy and beautiful.
Chinese Evergreen
Chinese Evergreens are very low maintenance, and are perfect for beginners or those who aren't used to having the responsibility of having to take care of a houseplant. When placing them on a vase, cut the team by ensuring that the base is fully submerged in water.
Wandering Jew
Known for its vibrant purple and green colours, Wandering Jews also need minimal care. They add a pop of colour in any indoor space, and just need their water to be changed every two weeks.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


The Sun
2 days ago
- The Sun
Houseplants will ‘bloom for years' thanks to common item in your food bin – and peace lilies find it ‘so tasty'
IF you often struggle to keep your houseplants alive (don't worry, we do too), then you've come to the right place. There's nothing worse than someone giving you a houseplant and just days later, it's looking worse for wear. 3 3 But now, luckily for you, we've found a handy hack that will ensure your plants bloom for years. And fear not, you won't have to nip out and splash the cash on pricey fertiliser - in fact, the secret may even be in your food bin. Peace lilies in particular are said to find this trick 'so tasty', so if you want to ensure repeat blooming, this homemade feed is one you won't want to miss. When it comes to caring for peace lilies, it is important to only feed them once a month during the growing season, which is spring and summer. It turns out that overfeeding can be harmful, so it's important to avoid excess fertiliser. And now, gardening enthusiasts have shared a super simple homemade fertiliser - and the key ingredient is banana peels. Taking to the Gardening Hints and Tips Facebook page, an anonymous user explained: 'In the summer, I feed my houseplants with a homemade banana soak. 'My peace lily loves it, just thought I'd share it in case anyone is struggling. 'I've always struggled to get my peace lilies looking good, but bananas make them bloom for years.' The gardening guru then added: 'Once I've eaten a banana or given it to my dog, I'll chop the peel and soak it in some warm water. Gardening hacks to grow fruit from your weekly shop 'After a few days, pour sparingly on your plants, so tasty for them.' The social media post attracted numerous comments from other houseplant enthusiasts, who also praised the effective banana peel trick. *If you click a link in this boxout, we may earn affiliate revenue Nick Grey, Gtech Inventor and CEO shared the tasks to crack on with as Spring arrives. 1. Clean your garden Make sure to clear away all leaves, soil and plant debris from your patios and flower beds; this creates a healthier environment for new growth, especially as we get into the summer months. Gtech's Garden Safety Kit includes durable gardening gloves and safety glasses; perfect for comfortability whilst tackling those outdoor tasks. 2. Weeding Early Spring is the best time to tackle weeds; if you can introduce some regular weeding into your routine, you can guarantee a tidy garden all year round. 3. Hedge maintenance Spring is the ideal time to tidy up overgrown hedges and shrubs, as regular trimming ensures healthy growth and reduces pest issues. Using a tool like the Gtech Lightweight Hedge Trimmer can help to keep your greenery looking sharp and neat. 4. Composting Starting a compost heap this spring is a pro-active, cost-effective way to harness nutritious soil for your plants and recycle organic waste that will benefit the overall health of your greenery and foliage. 5. Look after your lawn Lawn care is hugely important in assuring your garden stays looking beautiful. Make sure to rake away any excess leaves and trim your grass routinely. One user beamed: 'Heard lots about this, so I gave it a go. I only use it now and again and then a proper feed in between, but it's fantastic.' Whilst a second chimed in: 'All houseplants love this, not just peace lilies, but be careful not to over water.' According to houseplant enthusiasts, soaking banana peels in water releases nutrients such as potassium, phosphorus and magnesium, which are beneficial for many houseplants, but peace lilies in particular. It is crucial to dilute the banana water with water to make it last longer and ensure it doesn't overwhelm the plant. 8 must-have plants to brighten up your garden Nick Hamilton owner of Barnsdale Gardens has shared his favourite plants and flowers you should consider adding to your garden, borders and pots. Tricyrtis A spectacular plant that gives a real exotic feel to any garden with its orchid-like, spotted flowers giving the impression that this plant should be tender but it is 'as tough as old boots!'. Penstemon I love this plants genus of because most will flower all summer and autumn. They'll grow in sun or semi-shade in a well drained soil and produce a non-stop display of tubular flowers in an array of colours and colour combination to suit all tastes. Luzula sylvatica 'Marginata' With the evergreen leaves edged with yellow it's great asset is that it will grow in sun or shade in any type of soil and is great as groundcover in the hardest spot to fill - dry shade. Eryngium x zabelii 'Big Blue' A stunning, nectar-rich plant that will feed the beneficial insects in your garden. Leave the flowerheads once they have turned brown because they look stunning with winter frost and snow, extending the plant's interest period. Sarcococca hookeriana 'Winter Gem' If you need winter scent then look no further than this compact, evergreen shrub. The scent is stunning and the evergreen leaves create an excellent backdrop for the summer flowers. Cornus sanguinea 'Anny's Winter Orange' A dwarf version of 'Midwinter Fire' the very colourful stems create a stunning winter display, particularly on sunny days. Rosa 'Noisette Carnee' A very well-behaved climbing rose that is perfect for training over an arch, pergola or gazebo. The small, 'noisette' flowers are blush-pink and produce the most amazing clove scent constantly from June to November. Sanguisorba hakusanensis 'Lilac Squirrel' I've never seen a squirrel with a drooping, shaggy lilac tail, but this variety will give your garden an unusual and different look throughout summer. It does need a moisture retentive soil but will grow in sun or semi-shade. Not only this, but banana peels can also be used to fertilise outdoor plants, including tomatoes, bell peppers, roses and hydrangeas. If planting a new plant, you should simply scatter some banana peels beneath the compost, or place them around the top of the soil. Not only will this be beneficial to your plants, but it can also help to deter pests such as slugs, who hate rough surfaces.


Daily Record
5 days ago
- Daily Record
Householders urged to place plants near windows and doors this summer
House plants help improve air quality as well as having other important uses. British homeowners are being advised to place house plants close to windows and doors this month as hay fever season peaks. Pollen levels rise between late March to September, with the first peak being the first two weeks in June. In late March, tree pollen is released and lasts until mid-way before grass pollen takes over and is active until July. Shortly after this weed pollen peaks from late June until September. This timeline can vary depending on where you live. The north of Britain usually has less pollen than the south of the UK. It's believed grass pollen affects the majority of hay fever sufferers. This is what usually causes symptoms in people in June and July. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. There is currently no cure for hay fever and it is managed with preventative medication and measures, including antihistamines. Experts believe there are several things people can do at home to help minimise pollen exposure, reports the Express. One easy thing experts recommend is introducing some house plants into your home, as these not only help filter air pollutants, they can also trap pollen. Some good options to introduce include Dracaena plants, Pothos, Peace Lilies and snake plants. Simply place them on windowsills and by doors to help trap pollen particles that enter your home. Haldi Kranich-Wood, Wool Interiors Specialist at British Wool, says: 'Make a pollen trap with house plants. Some house plants, like spider plants, peace lilies, or Boston ferns, act like natural air filters and can help trap airborne particles, including pollen. 'Try positioning a few by your windows and doors to create a leafy line of defence. Just make sure to wipe their leaves regularly, that trapped pollen still needs evicting.' Online doctor and pharmacy e-Surgery adds: "Certain plants can eliminate toxins in the air so they may be beneficial in reducing allergy symptoms. The best plants to keep in the house are ones that remove formaldehyde and benzene, both of which can be harmful to those that suffer from allergies. Plants that do not flower are best for hay fever sufferers. "Some plants can absorb toxins through their leaves and release moisture which can reduce dust in the air. The best plant for cleaning the air is Aloe as having one of the plants in your house is equivalent to nine biological air cleaners. "Another which is just as good is a spider plant. Spider plants are efficient at getting rid of the harmful compounds' formaldehyde, styrene, carbon monoxide, and benzene. The plants are also super adaptable to living inside as they can photosynthesis under very little lighting. "The snake plant, or also known as Mother-In-Law's Tongue is almost indestructible, so this is a particularly good one if you're not the best at caring for your plants. It's also good at cleaning the air around itself so is perfect for allergy sufferers."


Daily Mirror
25-05-2025
- Daily Mirror
Gardeners warned over huge orchid mistake that stops them from flowering
If your orchids are looking a little yellow or lacklustre, you could be making one very common and simple mistake - luckily experts advise there's an incredibly easy fix Orchids are a popular flower in British homes with their range of delicious scents – but there is one simple mistake that many gardeners make. Luckily, gardening experts say there's an easy fix. Many British gardens contain orchids as they're well suited to the climate. They generally prefer cooler evening temperatures and appreciate bright, indirect sunlight. However, a major mistake comes with how people water their orchids. These delicate flowers actually need to be watered in a specific way. A unique characteristic of orchids is that they prefer to receive moisture from mist in the air rather than from water-soaked soil. This means it is very easy to overwater them. DIY Everywhere writes: 'Overwatering is one of the most common mistakes made by orchid owners. Orchids are epiphytes, meaning they naturally grow on trees and have adapted to receive moisture from the air rather than from soil.' Soil with a high water content can therefore have a damaging effect. They warn: 'Overwatering can lead to root rot, which prevents the plant from absorbing the nutrients it needs to flower.' Once orchids become nutrient deprived, their leaves can start to yellow and form unpleasant black tips. In extreme cases, they can even begin to fall off, leaving you with a sparse, stunted plant. To avoid this, DIY Everywhere suggests allowing the soil, mulch or fertiliser to thoroughly dry out between watering. This helps to ensure the water is draining properly. Another solution is to water them via misting rather than pouring water directly into the soil. You can do this by simply adding water to a cleaned out spray bottle. Equally, be careful over the kind of water you are using for orchids. These sensitive flowers do not take well to tap water and instead prefer either boiled water or rainwater. This is because tap water often doesn't contain the right pH for many orchid species. Most orchids prefer an alkaline pH between 5.5 to 6.5. Tap water may also contain a high concentration of minerals like fluoride and chlorine. In too high a concentration, these can also be damaging to orchids. Other steps you can take to make sure your orchids are growing optimally is make sure they're receiving enough light. You should also shield them from draughts and sudden temperature changes. It's also crucial that orchids have access to sufficient air flow - especially if you're growing them inside. Ensure you place them by a well-ventilated area or near a fan.