How to Grow Indoor Plants in Water
For many, growing plants indoors is akin to botany homicide--no matter what you try, the poor plants turn brown, shrivel up and wither away to nothing. Even if you don't have a green thumb, there are plants that are easy to grow indoors with minimal care and a high rate of success. Even better, some of these plants look as delicate and finicky as an orchid, and actually grow in water. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Peace lily
- Purified water
- Large fluted vase
- Pebbles or glass rocks
- Beta fish
- Fish food
- Scissors
- Round plastic tray
Instructions
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1
Select a healthy peace lily with bright green leaves and strong stems. Do not buy a plant that is yellowing or has floppy stems that allow flowers to sag. Look for creamy white flowers without blemishes.
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2
Purchase rocks or pebbles that match the room you where you will keep the plant. Peace lilies do best away from direct sunlight, so keep that in mind when choosing a location. Select a vase that will accommodate the lily, and find a plastic tray that will fit in the top of the vase without falling to the bottom.
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3
Remove the plant from its pot, and carefully rinse the soil off the roots. Fill the vase with water, adding pebbles to the bottom, until the water level is 2 inches away from the plastic tray. Cut a hole in the tray that is wide enough to allow the roots and stems of the plant to pass through.
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4
Place the plant and tray inside the vase, and allow the set up to sit for 24 hours before adding the fish. Float the fish's container in the water for two hours to allow it to acclimate to the new water temperature, then release the fish into the vase. Feed according to the instructions on the food package.
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5
Clean and change the water in the vase every two weeks. Your fish and plant will both flourish from the nutrients they provide each other.
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Tips & Warnings
Use a wet toothpick to pick up and deposit food into the vase. This will keep you from overfeeding your fish. Use a food specially made for beta fish to keep his fins healthy and colorful. Mist your plant daily to keep the leaves shiny and green.
Beta fish are very hardy and can easily live for many years. However, betas are loners and should not be put into an enclosure with another fish as they will fight.
