fifteen aquatic plants ideal for growth within pots and vessels
Floating plants are a simple yet stunning way to bring the beauty of nature indoors. These aquatic plants not only enhance home decor but also create conversation pieces or provide calming effects of greenery. Here are some of the best floating plants for indoor spaces:
Duckweed
Duckweed forms a dense green carpet on water surfaces, ideal for small bowls. It thrives in well-lit spots with filtered sunlight or bright artificial light and requires regular thinning to prevent overcrowding and maintain water quality. Duckweed can spread quickly, so removal of excess plants is important to prevent invasiveness indoors.
Amazon Frogbit
Amazon Frogbit is famous for its lush, leathery leaves that float beautifully across water surfaces. It prefers consistent bright but indirect light and regular nutrient supplementation with diluted liquid fertilizer. Amazon Frogbit should be kept away from drafts or heaters to prevent leaf drying.
Marsh Pennywort
Marsh Pennywort has penny-shaped leaves and grows well in partial shade to filtered light. Weekly water changes and trimming excess growth help keep its appearance neat in small containers.
Fairy Moss
Fairy Moss, a floating fern with small reddish-green fronds, requires indirect sunlight and stable water temperatures. Occasional thinning of the mat prevents stagnation and promotes healthy growth.
To prevent invasiveness and overcrowding indoors, these floating plants should be regularly pruned or thinned, and water should be maintained clean through regular changes or filtration.
Miniature Bowl Lotuses
Miniature Bowl Lotuses thrive in shallow water containers and add a luxurious and serene touch to indoor spaces with their delicate flowers and iconic leaves. They require full sunlight or near a bright window for at least six hours daily and warm water, with a slow-release fertilizer added every three weeks to encourage blooming.
Water Sprite
Water Sprite offers a unique foliage structure with its feathery, bright green floating leaves and complements modern decor styles. It prefers bright, indirect light and soft or distilled water to avoid mineral build-up. Trim any browning leaves to keep its appearance tidy.
Indian Pennywort
Indian Pennywort thrives beautifully in shallow water bowls, known for its round leaves and rich medicinal history. It can be placed in partial shade to filtered light.
Red Root Floaters
Red Root Floaters bring a splash of tropical color to water bowls or aquariums, with vibrant red roots and small floating leaves.
Giant Salvinia
Giant Salvinia lives up to its name with its larger leaves that form overlapping layers and is a dramatic and low-effort addition to any indoor water garden. Keep it under bright light and ensure the bowl or container has ample room for the plant to spread. Replace water bi-weekly and remove older leaves to refresh its look.
Water Lettuce
Water Lettuce has soft, velvety rosettes and provides an elegant cover for bowls or decorative containers.
Creeping Jenny
Creeping Jenny creates a soft and whimsical look, adapting perfectly to bowls with shallow water.
European Frogbit
European Frogbit has heart-shaped leaves that float gracefully on water, mimicking the appearance of miniature lily pads.
Water Mimosa
Water Mimosa is an excellent addition to indoor spaces, known for its spongy, purple-tinted stems and mat-forming growth habit.
Maintaining Water Quality
To maintain high water quality, periodically clean the bowl for floating plants. Regular pruning or thinning of the plants helps prevent overcrowding and stagnation.
In summary, these floating plants are generally easy to care for indoors if pruning and water quality are maintained conscientiously to prevent them from becoming invasive or overly dominant in confined containers. Floating plants can bring an artistic and refreshing vibe to indoor spaces.
- Incorporating floating plants like Duckweed, Amazon Frogbit, and Water Mimosa into your home-and-garden decor can add a touch of lifestyle tranquility by providing calming effects of greenery.
- To create a lush and serene home-and-garden ambiance, consider adding anchor plants, like Miniature Bowl Lotuses or Water Lettuce, along with floating plants, to deep containers or water gardens.
