Why to Change Houseplant Rooting Water Regularly

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Today, I’m going to talk about why you want to replace the water that you’re rooting plants in on a regular basis. These plants here are getting rooted in water and are doing really well, developing healthy roots. They are definitely getting ready to be planted in soil. This one here, however, is just starting, so it doesn’t have any roots yet.

You want to replace the water on a regular basis because if you don’t, it becomes toxic over time. If you’ve ever smelled something really unpleasant and discovered that it was the water your rooting houseplants were in, you’re smelling the toxins.

Generally, you should replace the water about once a week. It may be a little more often than that if you have a heavy drinker like this plant here. As mentioned, changing the water is important because, when you initially place the plant in water, it absorbs the minerals from the water, promoting healthy growth. This is true whether you use rainwater, snow water, well water, or tap water. Some bottled waters may also work. Distilled water, however, doesn’t contain any minerals, so this wouldn’t apply.

At first, the plant thrives by taking up the minerals, resulting in lush growth, like the deep green leaves on this Hoya. However, after some time, once the plant has absorbed all the available minerals, the water begins to turn toxic because there’s nothing left for the plant to absorb. What began as a positive situation turns negative.

So, make sure to replace the water about once a week or when you notice it becoming cloudy or murky. If it starts to smell, it’s definitely time to change it. By regularly changing the water, your plant will develop not only healthy roots but also strong, dark green, and vibrant leaves.

For example, this plant here is from the same mother plant as this one, but you’ll notice it’s a bit yellowish and not quite as green. That’s because the mother plant needed fertilizing, and I took this cutting during pruning. This cutting will green up and become as lush as the other plant once it gets more nutrients from the water.

Remember, if the water smells, change it immediately. Always use warm to tepid water when replacing it in the containers where your plants are rooting. Cold water can shock the roots, affect root growth, and even cause root dieback. This advice also applies when watering plants in soil—always use warm to tepid water.

So, that’s why you should regularly replace the water in the containers where you’re rooting plants.

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Frequently Asked Questions about Rooting Plants in Water

Why do I need to replace the water when rooting plants?

You need to replace the water regularly because it becomes toxic over time as the plant absorbs all the nutrients. Without fresh water, the plant won’t have anything left to absorb, which can lead to poor growth and potentially damage the plant.

How often should I replace the water when rooting plants?

Generally, you should replace the water about once a week. If you have a plant that drinks a lot of water, like certain Hoyas, you may need to change the water more frequently.

What happens if I don’t change the water?

If you don’t change the water, it can turn murky and begin to smell, indicating the water has become toxic. This can harm both the roots and the overall health of the plant, leading to poor growth or root dieback.

What kind of water should I use to root plants?

You can use rainwater, snow water, well water, or tap water. If using bottled water, make sure it has minerals. Distilled water, however, lacks minerals and won’t work as effectively for rooting plants.

How can I tell if the water needs to be changed?

If the water looks cloudy or murky, or if it smells bad, it’s time to replace it. Keeping the water fresh will ensure the plant continues to absorb nutrients and grow healthily.

What temperature should the water be when replacing it?

Always use warm to tepid water when replacing it. Cold water can shock the plant’s roots, affecting their growth and even causing root dieback.

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