How to grow and care for water plants at home?

Plants that grow in water, like those that grow on soil, require varying quantities of light.

Water plants are a unique means to offer a touch of tranquillity, stability and renewal to the interiors of your house. Aquatic plants brighten up dull area and bring colour and beauty. Though most plants are disease and bug-resistant, bringing water plants indoors allows you to bring in fresh air. Cultivating water plants indoors without much effort is simple, and they provide several benefits with little maintenance. This in-depth guide will look into the top 7 water plants in India, examining their physical qualities, growing circumstances, care advice, advantages, and potential issues such as toxicity.

 

List of top 7 water plant

Lucky bamboo

Botanical name: Dracaena sanderiana

Growth condition: The lucky bamboo grows with moist soil in intense but indirect sunlight.

Care tips: Water the plant twice or thrice weekly to keep it healthy.

Toxicity: Lucky bamboo is non-toxic to humans yet mild to moderately toxic to cats and dogs. 

Lucky bamboo, commonly known as Chinese water bamboo, symbolises happiness, prosperity, and good fortune. The water plant has a distinct significance in Eastern culture. The bamboo signifies wood, while the red ribbon symbolizes fire. They express a sense of balance and safety in life as a whole.

 

Coleus

Botanical name: Plectranthus scutellarioides

Growth condition: It grows best in moderate shade and wet, well-drained soil.

Care tips: Water on a regular basis, take care not to over-water, avoid developing root rot and keep the humidity at a moderate level.

Toxicity: If taken in, this is mildly toxic and can hurt pets’ gastrointestinal tracts.

Coleus plants possess square leaves and stems that oppose each other. It has tiny blue-to-white blooms that are uninteresting and are routinely chopped off to preserve the plant’s life. Coleus leaves come in a variety of forms and sizes. This means that no matter where you choose to put coleus, you will be able to find a suitable location.

 

Pothos

Botanical name: Epipremnum aureum

Growth condition: Adaptable to many circumstances; thrives when exposed to bright, indirect light.

Care tips: Provide enough drainage, hydrate if the highest inches of soil have dried out, and trim to keep form.

Toxicity: This plant is mildly toxic; it can irritate and cause pain to humans and dogs.

Devil’s Ivy is another houseplant that is well-suited to growing in water. They’ll look great in any hanging, tabletop or shelf container. Consider the Golden Pothos or the Marble Queen Pothos. Pothos Pictus and Silver Splash, on the other hand, are eye-catching. 

 

Money plant

Botanical name:  Crassula ovata

Growth condition:  Grow well on well-drained soil and bright sunshine.

Care tips: Do not overfertilize, let the soil dry between waterings, and water lightly.

Toxicity: Not harmful to humans or animals, however consumption may result in a little upset stomach.

Money Pant is familiar to even the most inexperienced gardener. The Money Plant is thought to bring its owner fortune and financial prosperity. It may be cultivated inside and outdoors, in soil or in water. It also functions as a natural air purifier, cleansing its surroundings of pollutants, making it an excellent plant to keep, especially in extremely polluted urban areas.

 

Spider plant

Botanical name: Chlorophytum comosum

Growth condition: Grow nicely in soil that drains effectively with bright, indirect light.

Care tips: Water sparingly, spread out readily, and keep room humidity at a normal level.

Toxicity: Non-toxic, both humans and pets may safely use.

The spider plant, also known as mother-in-law’s tongue, has leaves with shading that arch downwards. These leaves are a blend of a creamy centre and green accents. This lovely ball of pleasure may also be grown indoors using hanging plants.

 

Wandering jew

Botanical name: Tradescantia zebrina

Growth condition: Favours well-humidified soil and vibrant indirect light.

Care tips: Avoid waterlogging, maintain uniform soil moisture, and prune periodically.

Toxicity: If taken in, this mildly toxins may irritate pets.

This plant is well-known for being one of the least demanding plants, since it blooms at the bare minimum. The plant’s name derives from the fact that, given adequate room, it may grow indefinitely.

 

Peace Lily

Botanical name: Spathiphyllum spp.

Growth condition: Grows well in wet soil with low to moderate indirect light.

Care tips: Give the soil plenty of water, but let it dry out a little in between applications.

Toxicity: When taken in, this partially toxic plant can irritate and discomfort people’ and dogs’ mouths.

Peace lily plant has glossy green leaves with peeping stalks that blossom into lovely white blooms. It may also be cultivated in soil, but the water-filled method increases the attractiveness. 

 

Water plant: How do you grow them?

It is possible to grow plants in water by simply placing cuttings in a waterproof container. Here’s all you need to know about growing plants in water.

Light

Plants that grow in water, like those that grow on soil, require varying quantities of light. Therefore, it is wise to verify the light preferences for each kind you cultivate.

Container

Growing plants in water may be done in any waterproof container. Glass pots are inexpensive, and it is rewarding to see the roots develop.

Fertiise

Plants will root easily in simple water, but they will ultimately require maintenance. Those cultivated in water often require less fertiliser than ones grown in soil. 

Water

Plants like unchlorinated water. For optimal results, use tap water that has been left at room temperature overnight. 

 

Water plant: Care tips

  • Follow the Watering Schedule
  • To avoid oversaturation, add just enough water to allow it to drain out the bottom.
  • Water should be applied to the soil rather than the leaves or flowers.
  • Cleaning your glass vase is a critical step that must be completed in order to eliminate all of the algae. 

 

Water plants: Benefits and uses

Visual appeal

These plants make the pond appear more lovely and natural. This is helped by a lot of green and other plant hues.

Reduced focus required

Water plants need less watering than potted plants, making them a low-maintenance alternative that requires less care and attention.

Plant propagation

Many indoor plants may be easily propagated in water. Tropical plants, for example, may produce roots when their stems are immersed in water, allowing you to develop numerous plants from a single plant.

Lesser pests

Fungus gnats, which may be extremely irritating, are attracted to potted plants. These bugs deposit their eggs in the soil and feed on fungi. You may effectively prevent this issue entirely by growing plants in water.

 

Water plant: Common pest and disease

Black fly and white fly

The damaged leaves on the plants will quickly become yellow and sickly before dying, indicating the presence of these small monsters.

Spider Mite

Infestation symptoms include dusty-looking leaves that have become brown, yellow or discoloured, and finally, silk webs that are heaving with activity. 

Leaf spots

This is by far the most serious hazard to any pond. Crown Rot is caused by a fungal infection that spreads quickly and wipes out whole colonies. 

 

FAQs

What is the purpose of water gardening?

A water garden may contain an aquatic garden for plants that thrive in damp soil. Sometimes, their primary goal is to develop a specific species or group of aquatic plants.

What are the three different kinds of water plants?

They can be submerged, emergent or free-floating.

What makes water plants unique?

Aquatic plants are buoyant in water and do not require a hard stem.

What happens if your plant receives too much water?

Plants growing in wet soil suffer from a lack of oxygen, which causes root rot and a loss of plant vitality.

What are the poisons present in plants?

Lectins in beans, for example, are typical examples of natural poisons in food plants.

What causes the growth of water plants?

Like their terrestrial siblings, aquatic plants require sunshine, water, carbon dioxide and nutrients such as phosphorus, nitrogen and potassium to flourish.

Which type of water is best for watering plants?

Distilled water benefits your houseplants because it lacks chemicals, metals and other contaminants.

Got any questions or point of view on our article? We would love to hear from you. Write to our Editor-in-Chief Jhumur Ghosh at jhumur.ghosh1@housing.com

 

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