As long as you give them proper nutrients in the water, they can thrive indefinitely without soil.
For however long you want it to. The key is removing all soil and keeping them clean. You may notice when you initially make the switch, you'll lose some of the old soil roots (they may get soft and mushy) and your plant may lose leaves as well.
If you don't change the water on a regular basis, the water will become toxic, which is bad for the plants and their roots. It's a good idea to change the water weekly. Plants take nutrients from water, so replacing the water will give the plants more nutrients for healthy growth.
You might try adding some hydrogen peroxide to the cutting water. I would suggest about 1 cup of 3% drugstore hydrogen peroxide in a gallon of water. Many grocery stores also carry the 3% hydrogen peroxide, including Walmart.
It is best to harvest cuttings in early spring and plant immediately but if this is not possible, cuttings can be stored safely for about 4 months. Store cuttings in a cool, dark, and moist place. Do NOT store in a wet area as this will promote root growth and weaken the cutting.
If you want to keep your plant cutting(s) growing in water indefinitely, that is totally a viable option. A word of warning: the longer your plant cutting sits in water, the worse the plant could fare over time. Why? Water has no nutrients, and can increase the risk for potential fungal infections.
Be sure to add fresh water as needed until the cuttings are fully rooted. Rooting will generally occur in 3-4 weeks but some plants will take longer. When the roots are 1-2 inches long or longer the cutting is ready to be potted up. This plant has heavy rooting and is ready to be moved to a pot with potting soil.
If the water evaporates from the glass over time, these growth points and vulnerable new roots may be exposed to the air, stunting growth and potentially killing off the cutting. Make sure you keep water levels consistent by topping up the water to always cover the bottom part of the cutting.
Firstly, turns out roots DO rot in water too, and for the same reason as they do in soil, BUT (as it often is with plants), it's not quite that simple. Here's what's going on under the surface...
While fertilizer isn't necessary in the early stages, adding it later can boost growth for long-term water propagation. Using a highly diluted solution ensures that the new roots get the nutrients they need without the risk of over-fertilization.
They'll root faster with plenty of sunlight, but avoid setting them in direct sun. Temperature is also important, the warmer the better to speed things up. For cuttings that are more valuable or difficult, adding a little aquarium pump to oxygenate the water will help a lot. Roots need the extra oxygen to grow well.
Avoid creating a routine of watering at the same time every day or every week. Instead, get in the habit of paying attention to the soil and the weather so you can water when the plants really need it. Containers need frequent watering.
From here, you can simply place the plant in the container and let it sit for 15 minutes or so. (Larger pots may need longer!) Don't let your plants sit in water continuously—this can lead to root rot—and keep in mind that you should occasionally top-water plants to flush out excess salts that can build up on the soil.
Yellow sticky traps can be cut into smaller squares, attached to wooden skewers or sticks and placed in pots to trap adults. Also, raw potato chunks placed in the soil are very attractive to fungus gnat larvae. These may be used not only to check pots for larvae but also to trap them away from plant roots.
Although plants will easily root in plain water, they will eventually need food. Typically, plants grown in water require lower-strength fertilizer than those grown in soil.
This smell is a result of the bacteria that grow in anaerobic conditions, like the bottom of a pot with wet soil and nowhere for the water to go. Shake off as much soil from the plant's roots as you can, then rinse them under running water. Gently massage the roots to loosen up any dead sections.
Keep the top leaves on your cutting - the roots need them for enough photosynthesis to fuel that new root growth - but do remove the bottom leaves near the node that's going in the water, so the leaves don't end up rotting in the water.
Not only does it keep algae away, it also helps with.. 🌱 Root Oxygenation: Helps aerate the soil and provide oxygen to the roots, promoting healthy root growth. 🌱 Pest Control: Effectively kills soil pests like fungus gnats and their larvae.
🌱 Can I keep my propagated plant in water forever? The longer you wait to transfer them to soil, the harder time they'll have adjusting. That being said: you don't necessarily have to plant them in soil at all, as they can exist in water forever, basically.
Inadequate Moisture: Cuttings need to be kept moist, but not waterlogged. Overwatering can lead to rot, while under-watering can cause the cutting to dry out and die. Use a spray bottle to mist the cuttings regularly with fresh clean and ensure the soil is consistently moist but well-drained.
Most of the water will be lost through the leaves, so by decreasing the leaf surface you also decrease the amount of water loss. A general rule of thumb is to remove 1/2 to 2/3 of the leaves. Cut remaining leaves in half if they are large.
Prepare your pot by placing 1-2 inches of soil at the bottom. Remove your plant from the water and rinse it thoroughly. Move your plant to the pot and cover the roots with soil.
Should we allow the cuts to dry out a little before sticking them in medium? No - while herbaceous cuttings are less likely to rot, they also root faster than woody plants because they contain less lignin in their stems. Don't give them time to dry out.
Many plants will root from just a section of a plant. Some plants will root in water, but cuttings will develop a better root system when rooted in a soil-less potting mix. Sand or perlite can also be used, especially for cuttings that need good drainage and may rot if kept too wet.