Greening Your Space: Water Plants
We recently had the pleasure of travelling as a family in Southeast Asia and met some incredible Artisans who created our hand blown, recycled glass wall vases. We designed these vases as a perfect water vessel for propagation and growing water plants indoors. These beautiful vases are the inspiration for this blog post which we hope you find interesting and highly informative!
In the hustle and bustle of modern life, many of us yearn for a touch of nature within reach. While traditional soil-based gardening is the ultimate for green thumbs, it's not always practical for everyone. Enter the world of hydroponics and water propagation, where you can cultivate a lush, green oasis indoors with minimal effort. In this blog post, we'll explore the art of growing plants in water and keeping them at home, bringing the beauty of nature right to your doorstep and beyond!
Why Choose Water Propagation?
Growing plants in water, or water propagation, is a unique and low-maintenance way to nurture a huge variety of plant species. There are several compelling reasons to consider this method:
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Low Maintenance: Water propagation is a beginner-friendly approach, requiring less attention than traditional soil-based gardening. You don't need to worry about soil quality, pests, or overwatering.
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Space-Saving: It's perfect for small spaces and apartments, as you don't need a garden or planters. A sunny windowsill, benchtop, or a decorative vase can become your green corner.
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Rapid Growth: Many plants root faster in water than in soil, meaning you can enjoy a flourishing indoor garden in no time.
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Aesthetic Appeal: The transparent glass vases and vessels showcase the root development, creating a beautiful and unique display of nature at it's finest.
Getting Started
To begin your journey into water propagation, you can follow these simple steps:
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Choose Your Plants: While many plants can be propagated in water, some popular choices include pothos, philodendron, snake plant, peace lilly and mint. Start with a plant cutting – a stem or leaf – from a healthy plant.
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Choose your vessel: Opt for a clear glass or lightly tinted container to allow light to reach the roots. Ensure that the container is clean and free of any contaminants. Our recycled glass, handblown wall vases are perfect for plants you intend to keep growing in water or our Proppi 3 Propagation Station is a beautiful bench-top option for propagation.
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Prepare the Water: Use room-temperature tap water or, for some plants, filtered water. Avoid distilled water as it lacks essential minerals. Change the water every one to two weeks to prevent mold and algae growth.
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Place the Cutting: Submerge the stem or leaf cutting in the water, making sure that the nodes are underwater. Nodes are the small, bumpy sections where roots will emerge. You may need to trim the cutting to expose more nodes if they are submerged too deeply.
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Location and Light: Place your container in a well-lit spot, but avoid direct sunlight, which can cause water to heat up or develop algae. A bright, indirect light source is ideal.
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Patience and Observation: Be patient as you watch roots form over time. It can take anywhere from a few weeks to a few months. Change the water as needed, and don't be discouraged by slow progress.
Caring for Water-Rooted Plants
Once your water-propagated plants have developed a healthy root system, it's time to consider potting them in soil or maintaining them in water. Here are some tips for their care:
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Transplanting: If you choose to transfer your plant to soil, do so carefully and use a well-draining potting mix. Water thoroughly after transplanting.
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Continued Water Care: For plants kept in water, remember to change the water every one to two weeks, ensuring it's maintained at room temperature. Prune roots if they become too long and crowded.
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Nutrient Supplements: Over time, the water may become depleted of essential nutrients. Consider adding a diluted water-soluble fertilizer to support your plant's growth such as The Plant Runner's Indoor Plant Food or We The Wild's Support Slow Release Pellets
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Pest Control: Check for pests, like aphids or mealybugs, regularly. We The Wild's Protect Spray with Neem is perfect for keeping leaves healthy and pests at bay.
Growing plants in water and keeping them at home is a delightful and low-maintenance way to introduce nature into your living space. It's a perfect solution for those with limited outdoor space or busy lifestyles. Whether you're new to gardening or a seasoned horticulturist, water propagation offers a unique and aesthetically pleasing alternative to traditional gardening methods. Give it a try and watch your home bloom with life and greenery. Happy gardening!