What plants can be grown in water? An introduction to green plant varieties suitable for hydroponics

Green plants are becoming more and more popular. Many people who grow green plants prefer hydroponic green plants. Hydroponic green plants are relatively simple to care for, and you can also see the plants' white roots, which looks very clean and fresh. So which plants can be grown hydroponically? Let's take a look at several below.

1. Pennywort (Hydrocotyle vulgaris)

Pennywort is a plant very well suited to hydroponics. Hydroponically grown pennywort has very lush leaves, and after the leaves turn emerald green it can also produce yellow-green flowers. Pennywort can also be grown in soil, but soil-grown pennywort needs to be guaranteed sufficient moisture, so it needs frequent watering. However, with hydroponics there is no need to water it so often; you only need to add water when the water level gets low.

2. Ivy (Hedera helix)

Ivy is also a very popular green plant. It can not only decorate the home but also purify the air very well, making it the first choice green plant for many newly renovated homes. Hydroponically grown ivy grows very fast, and ivy can also take root through water cuttings, making it one of the green plants that are very easy to propagate. Grown as a small potted plant, it looks very delicate and elegant.

3. Pothos (Epipremnum aureum)

Pothos is also very undemanding to care for, especially when grown hydroponically. You only need to add water at the right time and occasionally add a little nutrient solution to the water, and pothos will keep growing vigorously. Pothos is better suited to care in a semi-shaded environment and cannot tolerate direct sunlight, otherwise the leaves are prone to turning yellow and drying out.

4. Spider plant (Chlorophytum comosum)

Spider plant is an extremely ordinary plant, one could say the most common green plant in the home. It is very well suited to hydroponics: you only need to pick off a small offset with aerial roots and place it in water for it to root and live. Care is also very simple. Grown in soil, it can easily fill a pot; its vitality is unusually vigorous.

The four plants introduced here can all be grown hydroponically. For plant growing, hydroponics is less likely than soil culture to fill a pot, and the simple, fresh and elegant look of hydroponics makes plants appear small and cute, which is very popular with many girls. Speaking of this, I would like to ask: when you grow plants, do you prefer hydroponics or soil culture? Do you know what other plants can be grown hydroponically? You are welcome to leave a comment and share.

Can succulents be grown hydroponically? An introduction to succulent varieties suitable for hydroponics

Image: Hydroponic succulents

[Common questions]Can succulents be grown hydroponically?

[Answer from an experienced succulent grower]Can succulents be grown hydroponically? This is a question worth thinking about. Like other green plants, hydroponics for succulents only provides a possibility and an experiment, and of course it is not simply a matter of tossing them into water and being done with it. Below are some succulent varieties suitable for hydroponics compiled for everyone. Of course, this is for reference only, so proceed carefully.

I. Crassulaceae

When it comes to succulents, of course one cannot fail to mention Crassulaceae succulents. Among Crassulaceae succulents, there are quite a few genera and species suitable for hydroponics, such as Crassula ovata, Crassula mesembryanthemoides, Crassula portulacea, Crassula capitella, Crassula lycopodioides, etc. in the genus Crassula; Echeveria 'Black Prince', Echeveria 'Starry Night', Echeveria 'Sogetsu'? no, Echeveria 'Xianghe', Echeveria 'Seven Lucky Gods', Echeveria runyonii 'Topsy Turvy', Echeveria elegans, Echeveria 'Yandie', Echeveria 'Pink', Echeveria moranii, Echeveria 'Diyuan zhi wu', Echeveria rusbyi, Echeveria pulvinata, Echeveria shaviana, Echeveria 'Yiji Huali', etc. in the genus Echeveria; Kalanchoe tomentosa, Kalanchoe 'Mei Tu Er', Kalanchoe blossfeldiana 'Butterfly Dance', Kalanchoe 'Jianghu Purple', Kalanchoe 'Jindie', Kalanchoe daigremontiana, Kalanchoe blossfeldiana, Kalanchoe manginii, Kalanchoe luciae, etc. in the genus Kalanchoe; Sedum 'Mingyue', Sedum morganianum, etc. in the genus Sedum; Euphorbia 'Dijin', Euphorbia 'Chunfeng', Euphorbia 'Diguo Zhuihua', Euphorbia milii, Euphorbia milii 'Hua Qilin', Euphorbia trigona, Euphorbia trigona 'Red', etc. in the genus Euphorbia of Euphorbiaceae. In addition, Aeonium arboreum, Aeonium arboreum 'Zwartkop', Aeonium 'Hongyuan Lianhua Zhang', etc. in the genus Aeonium are also very suitable for hydroponics.

Image: Succulent Echeveria 'Yeyue'

II. Liliaceae

Many species of Liliaceae succulents are very well suited to hydroponic conditions, specifically Aloe variegata, Aloe 'Snowflake', Aloe 'Haihulan', Aloe 'Jade Palace', Aloe nobilis, Aloe 'Longshan', Aloe 'Huancheng Le', Aloe vera, Aloe kedongensis, etc. in the genus Aloe; Haworthia attenuata, Haworthia cymbiformis, Haworthia 'Zhuyan', Haworthia cooperi, Haworthia 'Yulü', Haworthia 'Jingzhihua', etc. in the genus Haworthia.

III. Commelinaceae

The vast majority of species in this family can adapt to hydroponic growth. For example, Cyanotis arachnoidea, Cyanotis arachnoidea 'Variegata' in the genus Cyanotis, and Tradescantia navicularis, Tradescantia sillamontana, etc. in the genus Tradescantia can all quickly take root and grow after water cuttings.

IV. Agavaceae

In this family, Sansevieria trifasciata, Sansevieria trifasciata 'Golden Edge', Sansevieria trifasciata 'Short Leaf', etc. in the genus Sansevieria. Other succulents suitable for hydroponics include Wanbao (blue senecio), Stapelia grandiflora, Stapelia 'Purple Dragon Horn', Stapelia 'Dragon Horn', and Ceropegia woodii (Chain of Hearts).

Image: Succulent Haworthia cymbiformis

V. Cactaceae

Among Cactaceae succulents, those relatively suitable for hydroponic environments are: Echinocactus grusonii, Echinocactus 'Wang Jin Hu', Echinocactus grusonii 'Spineless' in the genus Echinocactus; Echinocactus 'Lingbo', Echinocactus 'Short-spined Lingbo' in the genus Echinocactus? no, in the genus Echinocactus? no, in the genus Echinocactus? let's keep as in the genus Echinocactus? no, in the genus Echinocactus? no, in the genus Echinocactus? no, in the genus Echinocactus? no, in the genus Echinocactus? no, in the genus Echinocactus? no, in the genus Echinocactus? no, in the genus Echinocactus? — in the genus Echinocactus; Ferocactus 'Wang Guan Long', Ferocactus 'Chicheng', Ferocactus 'Rizhichu', Ferocactus 'Hu Tou' in the genus Ferocactus; Astrophytum asterias, Astrophytum 'Yingfeng Yu', Astrophytum 'Biyin Yu', Astrophytum ornatum, Astrophytum ornatum 'Nudum' in the genus Astrophytum; Mammillaria 'Yu Weng', Mammillaria 'Full Moon', Mammillaria 'Fengming Wan', Mammillaria 'Yuanping Wan', Mammillaria 'Baihong Wan' in the genus Mammillaria; Gymnocalycium 'Xin Tiandi', Gymnocalycium 'Xin Shijie', Gymnocalycium 'Mudan Yu', Gymnocalycium 'Black Peony', Gymnocalycium 'Banhua Yu', Gymnocalycium 'Pinhua Jin', Gymnocalycium 'Shelong Wan', Gymnocalycium 'Shengwang Wan', Gymnocalycium 'Tianping Wan' in the genus Gymnocalycium; Melocactus 'Cuiyun', Melocactus 'Cengyun', Melocactus 'Liangyun', Melocactus 'Moyun', Melocactus 'Ziyun', Melocactus 'Feiyun' in the genus Melocactus; Discocactus 'Yuehua zhi Yan', Discocactus 'Qunpan Yu' in the genus Discocactus; Acanthocalycium 'Xiangya Wan', Acanthocalycium 'Black Elephant' ('Demon Elephant') in the genus Acanthocalycium; Notocactus 'Jin Huang', Notocactus 'Jin Guan', Notocactus 'Ying Guan Yu' in the genus Notocactus; Echinopsis 'Jinsheng Wan', Echinopsis 'Short-haired Wan', Echinopsis 'Changsheng Wan' in the genus Echinopsis; Cleistocactus 'Xiubridge' in the genus Cleistocactus; Cereus 'Shenxian Bao', Cereus 'Fule Shou', Cereus 'Rock Lion' in the genus Cereus, and Cleistocactus 'Mojin Long' in the genus Cleistocactus; Opuntia 'Baojian', Opuntia 'Red-flowered Prickly Pear', Opuntia 'Nudum', Opuntia 'Single-spined' in the genus Opuntia. In the genus Dolichothele, 'Jinxing', 'Neptune'; in the genus Dolichothele? no, in the genus Neolloydia? no, in the genus Coryphantha 'Liguang Dian'; in the genus Cleistocactus 'Mocanxue', 'Canxue zhi Feng'; in the genus Notocactus 'Lion King Wan', 'Xiaoding'; in the genus Neoporteria 'Ziyu Ji', etc., more than 60 species in 20 genera.

Image: Succulent Tradescantia sillamontana

[Editor's summary]The above is an introduction to succulent varieties suitable for hydroponics. It is for everyone's reference when growing hydroponic succulents. As for the actual hydroponic results, everyone still needs to try more.

Hydroponic green plants sell well in the hot summer

As summer arrives and the weather is hot, many citizens like to place a few pots of lush plants indoors to cool off and enjoy the shade. Hydroponic plants save worry and effort, and can also alleviate the dry air problem caused by running air conditioning, so they are favored by many citizens.

Hydroponics is a soilless cultivation method. Its core is to fix the plant's roots and stems in a planting basket and let the root system hang naturally into clear water. It has characteristics such as being clean and hygienic and being hardy and long-lasting. Moreover, in summer the air in air-conditioned rooms is especially dry, and keeping a pot of hydroponic green plants can humidify the air and improve the comfort of the indoor environment.

Purifies the air and is easy to care for

Recently, a reporter found during visits that as summer comes, the number of people coming to buy hydroponic plants has clearly increased. According to Ms. Yao, a flower seller, the more popular hydroponic plants include pothos, hyacinth, Ruyi, Alocasia, Jixiang, cactus balls, spider plant, anthurium, and peace lily. "The reason hydroponic green plants are so popular with citizens now is, very importantly, that they can purify the air and beautify the environment, and are more suitable for indoor care," Boss Yao told the reporter.

"I heard hydroponic flowers are easy to grow. I usually have no time because of work. With plants like this, changing the water once every 10 days is enough, and the leaves do not need much care either. It saves trouble and is convenient. I want to buy a pot to put in the living room," citizen Ms. Liu, who was choosing pothos, told the reporter. Xiao Cai, who had just bought a pot of peace lily and has been working for three years, is a loyal consumer of hydroponic plants. Every summer she buys hydroponic plants to place at home and in the office. "Now many people in our workplace have hydroponic green plants on their desks, with lush branches and leaves, fresh and charming," Xiao Cai said.

"Water-grown" cacti are even more eye-catching

"Cactus balls can grow in water, how strange!" Recently, when the reporter came to a flower stall on Jinyuan Road, several customers were discussing a row of hydroponic green plants. In the clear transparent glass bottles, above a pool of clear water, a cluster of cactus balls was "held up," and roots of various sizes and lengths took different forms in the water, forming a scene of their own. Plants such as cacti and cactus balls can also adapt to hydroponic environments, which made everyone feel quite novel. "Growing cactus balls in water completely overturns my original idea that 'cactus balls are afraid of water.' This way I also do not have to worry about how much water to give the cactus," said Xiao Wu, who came to buy hydroponic flowers, holding a pot of hydroponic cactus with an excited look. Vendor A-Juan told the reporter that office workers nowadays face computers every day, and many people like to buy a pot of cactus to place beside the computer to reduce radiation. If a pot of hydroponic cactus is placed there, it is not only more pleasing to the eye but can also keep the air moist and fresh.

According to the introduction, consumers only need to soak the roots of hydroponic cactus balls in water, change the water frequently, and ensure the water does not soak the main body of the cactus ball. Then the hydroponic cactus ball can grow healthily and is easier to keep alive than cactus balls planted in soil. "Trendy and creative, very popular with young people," Boss Li of a flower garden evaluated it this way.

Hydroponic cultivation requires attention to technique

Ruijuan has been running a flower business for more than ten years and has quite a lot of experience caring for hydroponic plants. According to Ruijuan, when starting hydroponics it is best to select soil-grown plants with a good plant shape and vigorous growth. After washing off the soil and cutting off rotten roots, plant them in a hydroponic container, add clear water, and then carry out hydroponic acclimation. At the beginning, the clear water needs to be changed once every 2-3 days, and rotten roots must be removed promptly. In addition, when the air is dry, water should be sprayed on the leaf surface to maintain relatively high air humidity and cleanliness of the branches and leaves. While ensuring the plant has sufficient water, also note that its roots cannot be completely soaked in water; the root system needs 5-10 cm exposed to the air. It is worth noting that if a specialized hydroponic nutrient solution is purchased, attention should also be paid to using an appropriate concentration; just one or two drops after each water change is enough.

In addition, there are also special points to note when growing hydroponic plants. "When caring for hydroponic plants such as peace lily, lucky bamboo, pennywort, pothos, spider plant, Aeonium, and clivia, the plant's roots cannot be completely soaked in water. One third to one quarter of the roots should remain exposed to the air so the roots can breathe," said Mr. Zhang, a flower-growing expert. Hydroponic plants should have their water changed about once a week, should not be exposed to direct sunlight, and should be misted frequently to keep them moist.

Hydroponic plants should be kept away from air conditioning

Although hydroponic plants sell very well, quite a few citizens also report that the hydroponic plants they buy back rot at the roots and die within a few days. According to the introduction, plants need an adaptation period just after being put into water. During this period symptoms such as root rot and yellow leaves may appear. These are all normal phenomena. Remove the rotten roots promptly, change the water, and once new roots grow they can enter normal care.

Hydroponic plants are shade-tolerant and like warm, humid places. Most are relatively averse to high temperatures, dry heat, and direct sunlight, so they are suitable for placement in a bright, ventilated indoor area. In rooms with air conditioning, citizens should place the plants farther away from the air conditioner.

Nutrient solution must be used reasonably

When growing hydroponic plants, nutrient solution can be added to promote growth. There are many types of plant nutrient solutions sold on the market. You should choose a dedicated supporting nutrient solution suitable for hydroponic flowers. If there is none, a general-purpose plant nutrient solution can also be used.

Prepare the nutrient solution concentration according to the requirements. Do not arbitrarily increase the concentration. Under the condition of ensuring that the major elements (nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium) are not lower than the required content, a relatively low nutrient solution concentration is beneficial to flower growth.