Want Low-Maintenance Indoor Plants? 6 Tips For Growing Plants In Water
No soil, no mess and less effort
If maintenance, mess and the very real possibility that you will end up killing your plants puts you off owning them altogether, we have a simple solution - hydroponic plants.
Growing plants in water – the latest low-maintenance indoor plant trend – means no messy soil, no repotting every few months and no need to worry about watering your plants every second day. As an added bonus, these types of plants are also more allergy friendly and less likely to attract plant pests around the home.
To help you get started, Narelle Peart from Scotts Osmocote has put together a beginner's guide to hydroponic plants.
Most plant varieties will thrive in water, but unfortunately not all plants are suitable to move from soil to H2O. Devil's ivy, aloe vera, spider plants, rubber plants, lucky bamboo and peace lilies will all take to water very well and will look great as a mini art installation. These plants are sure to love growing in water, just as much as they love growing in soil.
Be sure to take a good-sized clipping just below some leaves to ensure your plant's natural rooting hormone is still active. Wash your plant clipping with bottled or filtered water to remove any soil and decayed, yellowing or dead leaves to get the best result, before placing the plant in your chosen container.
Growing an indoor water garden can be done with almost any container that will hold water. However, we recommend a glass vase with a thin neck that will support and hold your new plant baby upright. Glass will show your plant's aqua roots in all their glory and give you an indication of its current water level. Try and avoid any containers that might have copper, brass or lead, as metals may corrode when coming in contact with fertiliser.
Like all plants, don't forget to feed your new hydroponic plant babies with water. It is recommended to use bottled spring water which will give your plant the best chance to grow as it contains more nutrients than tap water. For the first couple of months, make sure to change the water weekly and once roots have formed, you can start replacing it monthly.
Every living organism needs food to survive and plants are no different, so be sure to invest in a fertiliser that will make sure your plants get the vital nutrients they need to thrive. Controlled release fertiliser tablets are perfect for hydroponic plants as they will ensure that the water your plants live in stays clear by slowly releasing fertiliser over time.
The placement of a new hydroponic plant is very important so make sure to place them in bright, but indirect light for the best results. Hydroponic plants thrive in places which are warm and the temperature doesn't change too often, so if you find your new plant baby coming in direct contact with sunlight, find it a new spot.
This article was originally published on Homes To Love.