Curious what plants you can propagate in water? Look no further!

We'll listing out every dang plant you can possibly grow roots on in a cup of water on your windowsill.

Rooting a cutting in water is probably the easiest way to propagate a plant, so it's nice when this option is available for the species you want to grow.

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Plant propagation often comprises an integral piece of regenerative gardening. That's because propagation can give you a near-limitless and almost free supply of some plant species for your garden.

Increasing your focus on propagation is one way you can help reduce your garden inputs.

herbs rooting in jars of water on sunny windowsill basil oregano rosemary mint lemon balm
Many perennial herbs root readily in jars of water on a sunny windowsill.


Can All Plants Be Propagated in Water?

Not every plant will put out new roots when soaking a cutting. Only certain plants can be propagated in water from cuttings.

This method results in an exact clone of the parent plant, with identical genetics.

It may grow differently based on environmental factors, but it will be genetically the same plant as the parent.

basil and celery cuttings rooting in cup of water
A basil cutting and celery stalk end both growing roots in a cup of water after a couple weeks on a sunny window sill.


What Plants Can Be Propagated in Water?

Here's our full list of plants that grow from cuttings in water. We're always adding more plants to the list, so check back soon and let us know if we missed any:

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Food Crops

sweet potato slips rooting in mason jar of water on window sill
Sweet Potato Slips rooting in water


House Plants

(For you house plant nerds and low-light weirdos out there)

  • Coleus
  • Ficus
  • Philodendron
  • Pothos

OK so it's not every plant, but this list will continue to grow and evolve over time. Check back soon for updates.

Don't forget to change the water every few days to prevent bacterial and algal growth! Water propagation relies on the relative sterility of water as compared to soil.

It's easier to keep a plant saturated in plain water than it is to keep soil saturated, where anaerobic bacteria will thrive.

If you've ever cloned cuttings in soil you know just how easy it is to grow mold, algae, and bacteria - sometimes killing your plant in the process.

Propagating in water makes things a lot easier for the plants which allow it.


Know about any more plants that are easily propagated in water from cuttings? I'd love to hear about them in the comments below!