Find out what houseplants can be rooted in water. How to know which plants to root in water.
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Today, I’m going to talk to you about what type of plants you can root in water. There are some houseplants that will not root in water; these are typically hard-stem plants. For example, I have here a Ficus lorata, commonly known as a fiddle leaf fig. This plant isn’t necessarily going to root for you in water due to its harder stem. However, there are other ways to propagate that plant.
On the other hand, fleshy-stemmed plants like this coleus here, which has a nice healthy root system, and African violets, can generally root in water. You can easily pinch them, and they are squishy when you squeeze them—though you don’t want to squish them too much.
Some other plants that can root in water include pothos, Hartley philodendron, creeping Charlie, and the Zebrina plant (also known as wandering Jew). An arrowhead plant is another example of a plant that you can propagate in water.
As a rule of thumb, if the plant has a squishy stem that you can easily cut or pinch with your fingers—like polka dot plants—then you can try rooting it in water. If the stem is harder, you may want to explore other propagation methods.
However, there are exceptions to this rule. One exception is the Hoya carnosa, or wax plant, which has a slightly harder stem but can still root in water. You can always experiment with different plants to see what works for you.
For instance, Ficus benjamina is another hard-stemmed plant that typically does not root in water. This is why it’s important to look into alternative propagation methods for such plants.
I will be doing more on propagation soon to give you some ideas in that area. The rooting in water method is a wonderful way to propagate many houseplants.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What types of plants can root in water?
Fleshy-stemmed plants like coleus and African violets can generally root in water. Other examples include pothos, Hartley philodendron, creeping Charlie, Zebrina (wandering Jew), and arrowhead plants.
What types of plants cannot root in water?
Hard-stemmed plants, such as Ficus lorata (fiddle leaf fig) and Ficus benjamina, typically do not root well in water and require alternative propagation methods.
How can I tell if a plant can root in water?
As a rule of thumb, if a plant has a squishy stem that you can easily cut or pinch with your fingers, it is likely to root in water. Conversely, plants with harder stems may not root effectively in water.
Is Hoya carnosa able to root in water?
Yes, the Hoya carnosa, also known as the wax plant, has a slightly harder stem but can still root in water.
What should I do if my plant doesn’t root in water?
If a plant does not root well in water, look into alternative propagation methods, such as soil propagation or other techniques suitable for hard-stemmed plants.
Will all fleshy-stemmed plants root in water?
While many fleshy-stemmed plants can root in water, it’s important to experiment and observe each plant’s response to water propagation.
What is the best method for propagating houseplants?
The rooting in water method is a popular and effective way to propagate many houseplants. It allows you to monitor root development easily before transferring the plant to soil.
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