In recent times, Philodendron is a quite prominent and popular indoor flowering plant. However, not everyone prefers soil-living indoor plants because of the hassles of watering and taking care of them, so water-living indoor plants are most liked.
Therefore, if you come among those people who prefer water-living plants and Philodendron then you must be wanting to know can you grow Philodendron in water too or not.
So, let’s put an end to your inquiry and search for the exact explanations.
Can Philodendron Grow In Water?
Philodendron can grow in water because several varieties of this plant have been approved as air-purifying plants by NASA that can grow in water. So to grow a luscious green Philodendron plant, place it under bright indirect sunlight, change the water often, and use liquid fertilizer to nourish it.
Can These Philodendron Species Grow In Water?
There are many species of Philodendron plant that can grow on water. But you may not know exactly which species are water-living plants and it’s totally understandable.
Therefore, this section has included all these species of Philodendron and added short explanations that will make let you recognize the water-living Philodendron plants,
Split Leaf Philodendron:
Split Leaf Philodendron can easily be grown in water by propagating through cutting a section of stem of a healthy and green Philodendron plant.
But make sure to have at least 3 nodes in that cut section of stem. Then take a glass vessel and leave a 1-inch gap between the steam and the vessel’s underneath. And then pour water.
Make sure to keep them under indirect yet bright sunlight and often do change the water.
The other names of the Split Leaf Philodendron are- Monstera and Swiss Cheese Plant.
Philodendron Birkin:
Philodendron Birkin is another species of the Philodendron plant and this variety also can be grown into water.
All you are required to do is propagating them by the stem cutting method. Here make sure to have at least one node in the cut section of the stem. Because from this stem joint, the roots will grow in water. After cutting the stem, place it in a water-filled jar and place it in a sunny spot. And keep changing water regularly to prevent stagnating and stinking.
Only if the main Philodendron plant has many offtips then you can use the “Division” method of propagating and growing Philodendron in water.
Philodendron Burle Marx:
Philodendron Burle Marx species is the easier one to grow in the water. Anyone can effortlessly make it grow in the water by propagating through the stem cutting method.
Take any healthily grown Philodendron and cut a section stem but make sure the stem contains at least one node, some healthily growing roots, and at least a mature leaf. And then submerge the nodes and aerial roots of it into a water-filled jar. Give it a lot of sunshine and change the water every 3-4 days.
Heart Leaf Philodendron:
Heart Leaf Philodendron which is also known as Velvet Leaf Philodendron and Philodendron Cordatum can grow in the water.
Cut a 6 inches steam from a lusciously grown Philodendron and have at least two bare nodes on the stem. Then submerge the leafless end of the stem into water. After that place the plant at north or west facing place where indirect bright sunlight comes in and do change the water every 3 days.
Philodendron Selloum:
Philodendron Selloum is a houseplant and one of those species of Philodendron that can grow effortlessly in the water.
Adopting the same propagating process by stem cutting, you can grow a Philodendron plant in water within a few weeks. Just make sure that the stem has bare leaf nodes and is placed in a north or south facing place where it can get an adequate amount of indirect light. And yes, do shift it in clean every 3-4 days.
Philodendron Brasil:
Philodendron Brasil also can be grown in the water just by cutting one of their stem from a healthy plant and submerging it into clean water. If the plant gets enough sunshine, liquid fertilizer, and clean changed water regularly, your Philodendron will grow in a healthy green plant within a few weeks.
Philodendron Atom:
Philodendron Atom, this variety of Philodendrons will grow in the water too. And the propagating process is the same as the other varieties of Philodendron.
To grow a Philodendron, just cut one of his healthy stem that has bare leaf nodes and put them in a water-filled jar, give the plant bright indirect sunshine and liquid fertilizer to grow in a luscious green plant with healthy roots.
Philodendron Gloriosum:
Philodendron Gloriosum also grows well and survives in the water. Just adjust the distance of keeping the plant from the sun. Near a north or south facing window is the best place, because the plant will get bright yet indirect sunlight to grow fully.
Philodendron Hederaceum Micans:
Philodendron Hederaceum Micans amazingly grow well in the water. But to grow this plant in water, you have to leave two bare leaf nodes on the cut stem of the mother plant. And choose a stem with few leaves on top and cut the stem about 1/4 inches below a node. Then as usual place it into the water and wait a few weeks to grow.
**Note: Species of Philodendron Plants don’t live well in tap water because it has minerals and chemicals, so try using distilled water. Or allow the water to sit for an entire night before changing water and placing the plant for the first time in the water. Because it will let the chemicals in tap water acclimate.**
Can A Philodendron Grow Underwater?
Philodendron is one of those houseplants that effortlessly can grow underwater due to being one of the varieties of air-purifying plants that NASA has approved.
All you need to do it, get a healthy mother Philodendron plant of your preferred species then cut a stem with a few leaves on top and leave bare leaf nodes to grow roots in the water. Then place the stem of the plant in water and keep it in a bright sunny place. Also, change the water regularly and use liquid fertilizer to grow a healthy green water-living Philodendron plant.
How To Propagate A Philodendron In Water?
Here propagation of 3 different species of Philodendron in water has been explained.
How To Propagate Philodendron Selloum In Water:
Cut The Stem:
Choose a stem with healthy leaves on top and at least two nodes at the bottom and cut the stem under the nodes.
Place In The Jar:
Now take a clean glass jar or vessel, pour water in it, and submerge the cut stem in the water. Use distilled water or let the water sit overnight before you place the stem in the water.
Give Indirect Sunshine:
Place the vessel/jar of the plant in an area with bright indirect sunlight. A North/south facing window is the best.
Change Water:
Regularly change water to avoid smelling.
How To Propagate Philodendron Xanadu In Water:
Cut Off The Stem:
Precisely cut a side tip of the Philodendron Xanadu plant and remove all the leaves. Just leave 2-3 leaves on the top.
Place In The Water:
Before placing in tap water, make the water sit for a whole night so that the chemicals acclimate. Or use distilled water. Pour water in a clear vessel and place the plant in water leaving about an inch gap beneath.
Give Enough Sunlight:
Sunlight is essential for this plant to grow healthily, so place the water jar in an indirect sunny area or an area with bright direct sun and shadow.
How To Propagate Split Leaf Philodendrons:
Cut A 6-Inch Stem:
Take a healthy Philodendron plant and make a 6 inches clear cut on a stem with sharp knife/scissors. Cut the stem below some healthy leaves and pinch off 2-3 leaves so that you can have 2-3 bare leaf nodes.
Suspend In The Water:
Now submerge the stem in the water and wait for a few weeks. In between change the water every 3-4 days.
Provide Sunlight:
Keep the jar and plant in a place where it can get indirect yet bright sunlight to grow.
How Do You Take Care Of A Philodendron In Water?
How can you easily take care of a Philodendron plant has been explained here.
- Location- Place your Philodendron in a more or south facing window where it will get enough bright yet indirect sunlight all day.
- Watering- Change the water every 3-4 days.
- Fertilizer- If needed, use liquid fertilizer to nourish the plant in water.
How Long Can You Keep A Philodendron In Water?
You can keep a Philodendron plant in water for 3 to 4 weeks. And change the water in the vessel every 3-4 days. Philodendron needs to stay in freshwater for fairer oxygen circulation. And in days, you will notice the stem grow new roots underwater.
However, some Philodendrons can permanently stay in the water as a water plant.
Is It Better To Propagate In Water Or Soil?
It’s always better to propagate in soil rather than water. Because when a plant is transferred in spike after propagating in water can not absorb oxygen and minerals like the other soil living plants as its ability for oxygen-absorbing is better suited for water not ground. Therefore, it has to grow new roots to survive in the soil.
However, for some plants propagation in both soil and water works just fine.
As being a variety of air-purifying plants, Philodendron can grow in water. But you have to make sure the plant gets nourishment, sunlight, and clean water to grow.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Why are Philodendron Leaves Small?
Why Is My Philodendron Drooping?
Why Does Philodendron Have Yellow, Brown, or White Spots?