Growing floating plants indoors is one of the simplest ways to bring softness, calm, and natural beauty into your home.

These plants ask for very little just water, gentle light, and a container you love but they reward you with a space that feels serene, alive, and subtly magical.

If you’re like me, you’ll fall in love with how these plants move slightly with the air, how they brighten up a quiet corner, and how they make your home feel peaceful yet vibrant.

And the best part? You don’t need soil, pots, or complicated tools. Just a bowl, clean water, and a few easy Amazon supplies.

Below is a beautifully detailed guide to help you grow 11 floating plants, why they’re amazing, how to set them up, and the exact supplies you’ll need.

1. Water Lettuce (Pistia stratiotes)

Why This Plant Is Amazing

Water Lettuce creates soft, velvety rosettes that float like little green bouquets.

It naturally purifies water by absorbing excess nutrients, making your bowl look bright, fresh, and healthy.

It also creates a soft, feminine, lush aesthetic instantly.

How to Set It Up Indoors

1. Choose a wide glass bowl to give the rosettes space to spread.
2. Fill with room-temperature water avoid cold tap water.
3. Place the plant gently on the surface.
4. Keep in bright, indirect light (never direct sunlight indoors).
5. Add a few drops of gentle aquatic fertilizer once per month.
6. Replace 20–30% of the water weekly to maintain clarity.

Amazon Supplies You’ll Need

• • Clear Wide Glass Bowl (tabletop friendly)
• • Indoor LED Grow Light (for indirect brightness)
• • Gentle Liquid Aquarium Plant Fertilizer

2. Amazon Frogbit (Limnobium laevigatum)

Why It’s Good

This plant looks like tiny lily pads but with softer, more delicate leaves.

Frogbit is perfect for aesthetic indoor bowls and creates a relaxingly minimal look.

How to Set It Up

1. Use a medium-depth bowl (4–6 inches of water).
2. Float 3–5 pieces, allowing space between them.
3. Keep away from fans or moving air frogbit does best in still water.
4. Place under moderate to bright light.
5. Trim long roots occasionally to maintain cleanliness.

Amazon Supplies

• • Medium Glass Tabletop Aquarium Bowl
• • Clip-On Full Spectrum Plant Light
• • Water Conditioner (removes chlorine instantly)

3. Duckweed (Lemna minor)

Why It’s Good

Duckweed is perfect if you want a soft, floating carpet of green.

It grows extremely fast and gives your space a wild, natural touch like a miniature forest pond.

How to Set It Up

1. Fill a shallow bowl or tray with 1–2 inches of water.
2. Add a pinch of duckweed never dump too much.
3. Give it medium indirect light.
4. Skim off excess using a small net once a week.
5. Replace water weekly since duckweed absorbs nutrients quickly.

Amazon Supplies

• • Wide Shallow Glass Dish
• • Aquarium Net (for easy thinning)
• • Long Water Plant Tweezers

4. Salvinia (Floating Water Fern)

Why It’s Good

Salvinia has velvet-soft leaves that give your bowl a luxurious, cozy, earthy look.

It floats effortlessly and multiplies beautifully.

How to Set It Up

1. Use calm, still water.
2. Start with only a small handful Salvinia grows fast.
3. Needs bright, indirect light (not harsh).
4. Change the water every 1–2 weeks to keep leaves clean.
5. Rinse the leaves gently under lukewarm water if dust accumulates.

Amazon Supplies

• • Tall Cylinder Glass Vase or Bowl
• • Desk Full-Spectrum Grow Light
• • Easy-Dose Liquid Aquatic Fertilizer

5. Dwarf Water Hyacinth

Why It’s Good

This plant instantly brings a tropical elegance indoors. Its bulb-like floating base and glossy leaves make any bowl look rich, lively, and absolutely stunning.

How to Set It Up

1. Choose a large, round bowl so the plant floats freely.
2. Place the plant on the surface no soil needed.
3. Requires lots of light; place near a window or use a grow light.
4. Top up evaporated water weekly.
5. Remove dead leaves to keep water clear.

Amazon Supplies

• • Large Round Glass Display Bowl
• • High-Output LED Grow Light
• • All-in-One Water Plant Fertilizer

6. Mini Indoor Water Lily

Why It’s Good

Mini water lilies are unbelievably charming.

They thrive in indoor water bowls and offer small pads and occasional tiny blooms.

Their presence adds an elegant, peaceful aesthetic to any space.

How to Set It Up

1. Use a mini aquatic planting cup for the bulb.
2. Fill your bowl and let the pads float.
3. Provide bright light for blooming.
4. Keep water warm (68–75°F).
5. Add fresh water weekly.

Amazon Supplies

• • Mini Aquatic Planting Cup
• • Round Glass Pond-Style Bowl
• • Aquatic Soil Pellets
• • Submersible LED Light

7. Red Root Floater

Why It’s Good

This plant brings a stunning pop of red color, especially when grown under warm lighting. It gives your indoor bowl a soft romantic vibe.

How to Set It Up

1. Choose a 4–8 inch deep bowl.
2. Scatter the floaters across the surface.
3. Use warm grow lighting for vibrant red tones.
4. Avoid fast-moving air it dries the leaves.
5. Change water every 10 days.

Amazon Supplies

• Clear Glass Display Bowl
• Warm Spectrum LED Grow Light
• Aquatic Fertilizer Tablets

8. Hornwort (Floating Form)

Why It’s Good

Hornwort brings soft, feathery textures that make your water garden feel lush and full.

It’s beginner friendly and almost impossible to kill.

How to Set It Up

1. Float a small bunch on the surface.
2. No planting required just let it drift.
3. Works in low or bright light.
4. Remove old stems monthly.
5. Change water weekly for freshness.

Amazon Supplies

• • Large Round Glass Vase
• • Aquatic Plant Scissors
• • Water Dechlorinator Drops

9. Fairy Moss (Azolla)

Why It’s Good

Fairy Moss is whimsical, delicate, and can turn red under bright light.

It looks like tiny stars floating on water perfect for a magical, feminine indoor setup.

How to Set It Up

1. Use a shallow dish with 1–3 inches of water.
2. Spread a thin layer of moss.
3. Bright light enhances color.
4. Replace water frequently since it grows quickly.
5. Scoop out extra moss to maintain aesthetic balance.

Amazon Supplies

• • Low Glass Tray
• • Adjustable Desktop Grow Light
• • Water Quality Test Strips

10. Lemna Minor (Tiny Floating Plant)

Why It’s Good

This is one of the easiest floating plants for total beginners. It handles low light, grows with minimal effort, and provides a soft, natural look.

How to Set It Up

1. Add a tiny amount to your bowl it spreads on its own.
2. Works well in dimmer rooms.
3. Change water weekly.
4. Thin out extra growth to keep it light and airy.
5. Top up water often it evaporates faster with small bowls.

Amazon Supplies

• • Simple Glass Bowl Set (multi-size)
• • Clip-On LED Plant Lamp
• • Easy-Measure Aquatic Fertilizer Dropper

11. Mosaic Plant (Floating Rosette Type)

Why It’s Good

This plant forms beautiful geometric patterns that look like a natural mandala.

It’s a statement piece that instantly elevates any indoor space.

How to Set It Up

1. Choose a wide bowl so the rosette has room to expand.
2. Place it gently in the center.
3. Needs bright, warm light to maintain patterns.
4. Keep water 4–8 inches deep.
5. Replace water every 1–2 weeks.

Amazon Supplies

• • Wide Low Glass Bowl
• • High-Output Full Spectrum Grow Light
• • Gentle Water Pump (optional for slow flow)

Conclusion

Floating plants are one of the simplest, softest ways to bring life into your home.

Whether you choose a tiny bowl of duckweed on your desk or a large, elegant water lily centerpiece, each plant adds its own calming presence to your space.

They clean the water, brighten the room, and create a quiet little moment of nature you can enjoy every single day.

What I love most is how easy they are. No soil. No mess. No complicated setup.

Just clean water, gentle light, and a few intentional touches. And with the Amazon supplies listed, you can build your indoor water garden in minutes beautifully and stress-free.

Start with one plant that speaks to you. Maybe something soft and velvety like Water Lettuce, or something whimsical like Fairy Moss. Then place your bowl somewhere you’ll see it often.

You’ll be surprised how quickly it becomes your peaceful little escape.

Your home doesn’t need to be perfect.
Your garden doesn’t need to be big.
But a small bowl of floating plants can bring so much joy, beauty, and balance into your everyday life.