Can Anthurium Grow in Water Easily at Home Indoors

Last Updated on November 1, 2026 by D. Ruddy

Anthuriums are tropical epiphytes, which means their roots naturally cling to tree bark and soak up rain and humidity. That growth habit explains why so many plant owners ask can anthurium grow in water without soil for months or even years. The short answer is yes, but the long answer depends on oxygen, nutrients, and clean water.

This guide covers the exact setup, water care schedule, nutrient needs, common problems, and signs your plant is thriving in a vase or hydroponic jar.

Yes, anthurium can grow in water long term when you keep the roots oxygenated, change the water weekly, and add a diluted hydroponic fertilizer. Plain tap water alone keeps the plant alive for a while, but it will eventually yellow and stall without nutrients. Use a clear jar, remove rotting roots, and keep the water level below the crown.

Can Anthurium Grow in Water Permanently?

Anthurium andraeanum and its many hybrids can live in water for years when the roots get enough oxygen. These plants are not true aquatics. In nature they grow on trees and rocks, where roots dry between rains.

Water culture works because roots absorb moisture directly, but they still need air around the root zone.

The biggest mistake is treating water like soil. Soil holds oxygen pockets for a while, while still water loses oxygen fast. A sealed jar with dense roots becomes a low-oxygen environment.

That invites Pythium and bacteria, which cause the mushy brown roots most growers call root rot.

Water culture gives you a clean look and easy root checks. It also limits the plant’s access to nutrients, so blooms are often smaller. With the right routine, though, anthurium can stay in water permanently without soil.

• Works best with established plants that already have healthy aerial roots.
• Needs weekly water changes to prevent bacteria and algae.
• Requires very diluted fertilizer, not full-strength soil food.
• Prefers bright indirect light and warm room temperatures.
• Can live for years in water with good hygiene.
• May produce fewer and smaller blooms than soil-grown plants.
• Needs a transition period if moved from soil to water.

Important: Tap water often contains chlorine or chloramine. Chlorine evaporates in 24 hours, but chloramine does not. Use filtered water or a dechlorinator if your city water smells strongly of chemicals.

How Anthurium Roots Adapt to Life in Water

Roots grown in soil are covered in fine root hairs designed to pull water from tiny air pockets. When those roots sit in water, they often suffocate and rot. New roots grown in water look different: they are thicker, whiter, and more flexible.

These water roots can absorb dissolved oxygen directly from the jar.

The transition is the risky part. You cannot dump a soil-grown anthurium into a vase and expect every root to survive. Some older roots will die back.

The plant then grows new water-adapted roots from the stem base. That process can take three to six weeks.

• Healthy water roots are firm, white, and slightly translucent at the tips.
• Rotting roots turn brown, black, mushy, and smell sour.
• New roots often emerge just above the water line.
• A slight root smell is normal, but a swampy smell is not.
• Roots that turn green may be growing algae, not plant tissue.
• Firm roots with dark patches can still be alive if the core is white.

According to the University of Florida IFAS, anthuriums grow best between 60°F and 85°F. Warm rooms speed root recovery, while cold water slows it down. Keep the jar away from air conditioning vents and cold windowsills.

Tip: Add a small aquarium air stone to the jar for the first month. The bubbles raise dissolved oxygen and dramatically improve the survival rate of soil roots moved to water.

Best Anthurium Types for Water Culture

Not every anthurium handles water culture the same way. The common flamingo flower, Anthurium andraeanum, adapts well because it already develops thick aerial roots. Smaller species like Anthurium clarinervium are slower and more rot-prone in standing water.

Hybrids sold as “water-grown” or “hydroponic” anthuriums are usually the easiest choice.

Leaf shape and bloom color do not predict water tolerance. Root thickness matters more. Plants with thick, leathery roots tolerate low oxygen better than plants with thin, fuzzy roots.

If you already own an anthurium, check the root zone before committing it to a vase.

If you want a low-risk start, choose a compact Anthurium andraeanum hybrid from a grocery store or nursery. These plants are bred for tough indoor conditions. Give them a clear jar and a weekly rinse, and they usually settle in fast.

• Pick plants with at least three firm aerial roots.
• Avoid plants already showing yellow or mushy roots.
• Choose smaller specimens; large plants demand more oxygen.
• Skip velvet-leaf species for your first water culture trial.
• Buy from a grower who uses LECA or hydroponic media when possible.
• Quarantine new plants for a week before adding them to a shared jar.

Setting Up Anthurium in Water Step by Step

The setup decides whether your anthurium thrives or rots. You need a clean jar, room-temperature water, and a pair of sterile scissors. Do not rush the transition.

A slow move from soil to water gives the plant time to grow new roots.

1. Remove the plant from its pot. Squeeze the sides and slide the root ball out gently.
2. Rinse away all soil. Use lukewarm water to remove every bit of peat, bark, and perlite.
3. Trim damaged roots. Cut brown, mushy, or stringy roots back to firm white tissue.
4. Soak roots in clean water. Let them rest for 20 minutes to rehydrate.
5. Choose a clear glass jar. A narrow neck supports the stem without submerging the crown.
6. Fill with room-temperature water. Keep only the lower two-thirds of roots underwater.
7. Place in bright indirect light. Avoid direct sun, which heats the water and cooks roots.
8. Change water every three days for the first two weeks. This removes rot bacteria and debris.

Warning: Never bury the crown or leaf bases under water. The crown is where new leaves emerge. If it stays wet, the whole plant can rot from the center.

After two weeks, switch to weekly water changes. Add a tiny amount of hydroponic fertilizer only when new roots are at least one inch long. Full-strength fertilizer burns water roots and turns the jar into an algae farm.

Water Care Schedule That Keeps Anthurium Healthy

Water quality matters more than water quantity. Anthuriums do not need deep water. They need clean water with dissolved oxygen.

A shallow fill that covers the lower roots is safer than a full jar. The exposed upper roots can then absorb oxygen from the air.

Algae grows fast in clear jars that receive bright light. A little green tint is harmless, but thick algae steals oxygen and nutrients. Rinse the jar with a soft brush every week.

Do not use soap, because residue damages roots.

Room temperature water is safest. Cold water shocks tropical roots and slows growth. If your tap water is very hard, mix it half and half with distilled water.

Hard water leaves mineral crust on roots and glass.

• Use filtered, distilled, or rainwater when possible.
• Keep the water level below the crown and lower leaves.
• Never let the jar dry out completely.
• Remove fallen leaves and flowers quickly.
• Keep the jar out of direct sun to limit algae.
• Use a bottle brush, not soap, to clean glass.
• Replace the water if it looks cloudy or smells sour.

Important: The Royal Horticultural Society notes that anthuriums are sensitive to waterlogged roots in soil. In water culture, the same rule applies, but oxygen is the limiting factor. More water changes mean more oxygen.

Nutrients for Anthurium Grown in Water

Water alone cannot feed an anthurium forever. The plant needs nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium, and trace metals. In soil, these come from the potting mix and slow-release fertilizer.

In water, you must add them yourself with a hydroponic formula.

Use a complete hydroponic fertilizer, not a soil fertilizer. Soil fertilizers often contain urea, which needs microbes to break down. Water jars have no microbe population to do that job.

Look for a formula with chelated iron and calcium nitrate.

Mix fertilizer at one-quarter the label strength. A little goes a long way in water culture. Too much fertilizer raises salt levels and burns root tips.

If the root tips turn black and crispy, dump the water and refill with plain water for a week.

• Use a hydroponic formula designed for leafy tropical plants.
• Dilute to 25% of the recommended dose.
• Feed every two weeks during spring and summer.
• Reduce feeding to once a month in winter.
• Never fertilize right after root trimming.
• Stir the water gently after adding fertilizer.
• Flush with plain water every fourth feeding.

Tip: Keep a small notebook or phone note for feed dates. Anthuriums in water grow slowly. Overfeeding is more common than underfeeding, and it is harder to fix than a missed dose.

Common Problems When Growing Anthurium in Water

Most water culture problems trace back to oxygen, temperature, or nutrients. Yellow leaves can mean too much light, too little food, or rotting roots. Brown tips often point to fertilizer burn or dry air.

Cloudy water means bacteria are blooming.

Check the roots first when anything looks wrong. Lift the plant out of the jar and smell the root ball. Healthy roots smell earthy and clean.

Sick roots smell like a swamp or spoiled vegetables. That smell is a clear signal to trim and reset.

The American Society for Horticultural Science reports that dissolved oxygen is a key limit for ornamental plants in water culture. That finding matches what most growers see at home. Stagnant water with no air exchange is the fastest route to rot.

Warning: Do not use hydrogen peroxide as a regular fix. It kills bacteria, but it also damages delicate root hairs. Save it for a severe rot emergency and dilute it heavily.

Mistakes to Avoid With Anthurium Water Culture

Small errors add up fast in a jar. The most common mistake is topping off the water instead of changing it. Topping off leaves behind salts, bacteria, and dead root tissue.

Always pour out the old water, rinse the jar, and refill fresh.

Another common mistake is putting the jar in direct sun. Sun heats the water, which lowers oxygen and cooks roots. Anthuriums want bright indirect light.

A spot two feet from an east window is usually perfect.

• Filling the jar too high and covering the crown.
• Using cold water straight from the tap.
• Skipping the weekly jar rinse.
• Adding full-strength fertilizer.
• Leaving dead leaves in the water.
• Ignoring a sour smell until roots collapse.
• Moving the plant to soil and back to water repeatedly.
• Using a dark jar that hides root problems.

If you catch a mistake early, the plant usually recovers. Trim the damaged roots, rinse the jar, and reset with clean water. Give the plant two weeks of plain water before you feed again.

Patience is the real secret to anthurium water culture.

Tip: Keep a spare jar ready. When you change water, move the plant to the clean jar while you scrub the old one. This small habit prevents cross-contamination and makes weekly care take less than five minutes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can anthurium grow in water without fertilizer?

It can survive for several months on water alone, but it will not thrive. The plant slowly uses up stored nutrients and stops producing new leaves. Add a quarter-strength hydroponic fertilizer every two to four weeks for long-term health.

How often should I change the water for an anthurium in water?

Change the water every five to seven days once the plant is established. During the first two weeks after moving from soil, change it every three days. More frequent changes keep oxygen levels up and bacteria down.

Why are my anthurium roots turning black in water?

Black roots usually mean rot from low oxygen or dirty water. Trim the black roots with sterile scissors, rinse the healthy roots, and clean the jar. Refill with room-temperature water and keep the level below the crown.

Can I move an anthurium from water back to soil?

Yes, but the plant needs a gradual transition. Move it into a chunky, airy mix and keep the soil lightly moist for two weeks. Water-grown roots are fragile and can dry out quickly, so do not let the mix go bone dry.

Does anthurium in water need sunlight?

It needs bright indirect light, not direct sun. A spot near an east or north window works well. Direct sun heats the jar and causes algae, while deep shade slows growth and reduces blooms.

Final Thoughts

Anthurium can grow in water successfully when you treat the jar like a living root zone, not a decoration. Change the water weekly, keep the crown dry, and feed at quarter strength. With clean water and bright indirect light, your anthurium can stay happy in water for years.