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Best Fast-Growing Soil-Free Plants: 15 Ranked (2026)
The best fast-growing soil-free and mounted plants are Aquatic bladderwort, Upright air plant, Spanish moss. Sodate ranked 16 qualifying plants from a database of 208 profiles on a published 100-point rubric weighted to growth speed (40), care difficulty (25), pet safety (20) and cost (15). Aquatic bladderwort scores 100/100, the highest in this group.
Aquatic bladderwort, Upright air plant, Spanish moss lead this ranking of fast-growing soil-free and mounted plants. Entry requires scored from the growth rate stated in each profile, with full marks for plants described as fast with a figure attached. 14 of the 15 listed are non-toxic to cats and dogs. Every score is computed from the same four measures, growth speed, care difficulty, pet safety and cost, and the rubric is published below so you can recompute any ranking yourself.
Why trust this list
Fast growth is the most underrated quality for a first plant, because visible progress is what keeps people caring for it. It cuts both ways though: a fast plant in the wrong spot gets leggy fast, and a fast climber needs support and pruning within a season. Scores come from the growth rate stated in each profile, and the fastest plants here are also the ones you will be pruning. This group grows without conventional potting soil: air plants, mounted epiphytes, water-grown cuttings and aquatic species. The care model is genuinely different rather than a variation on potted care, because there is no soil buffer holding water between waterings, so the schedule is less forgiving and the drying-out is much faster.
At a glance: all 15 ranked
| Rank | Plant | Best for | Score | Growth speed | Pet safety | US price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Aquatic bladderwort | Filling a space quickly, in a home with pets | 100 | Fast, visible monthly | Pet-safe | $5–$12 |
| #2 | Upright air plant | Filling a space quickly, in a home with pets | 100 | Fast, visible monthly | Pet-safe | $5–$12 |
| #3 | Spanish moss | Filling a space quickly, in a home with pets | 90 | Fast, visible monthly | Pet-safe | $5–$15 |
| #4 | String of hearts | Filling a space quickly, in a home with pets | 90 | Fast, visible monthly | Pet-safe | $8–$25 |
| #5 | Mounted Boston fern | Filling a space quickly, in a home with pets | 83 | Fast, visible monthly | Pet-safe | $25–$60 |
| #6 | Mounted dendrobium orchid | Filling a space quickly, in a home with pets | 83 | Fast, visible monthly | Pet-safe | $25–$70 |
| #7 | Mounted hoya | Steady, predictable growth: pet-safe and beginner-friendly | 82 | Moderate | Pet-safe | $20–$60 |
| #8 | Staghorn fern | Steady, predictable growth: pet-safe and beginner-friendly | 82 | Moderate | Pet-safe | $15–$60 |
| #9 | Pink quill plant | Steady, predictable growth, in a home with pets | 75 | Moderate | Pet-safe | $10–$25 |
| #10 | Red-blushing air plant | Steady, predictable growth, in a home with pets | 75 | Moderate | Pet-safe | $5–$12 |
| #11 | Dancing lady orchid | Steady, predictable growth, in a home with pets | 72 | Moderate | Pet-safe | $20–$60 |
| #12 | Elkhorn fern | Steady, predictable growth, in a home with pets | 72 | Moderate | Pet-safe | $20–$60 |
| #13 | Mounted philodendron | Filling a space quickly | 71 | Fast, visible monthly | Toxic | $25–$70 |
| #14 | Mounted cattleya orchid | Steady, predictable growth, in a home with pets | 68 | Moderate | Pet-safe | $30–$90 |
| #15 | Vanda orchid | Steady, predictable growth, in a home with pets | 68 | Moderate | Pet-safe | $25–$80 |
How we scored these
Every plant is scored out of 100 on four measures, each pulled directly from its care profile. No score is assigned by hand, so the ranking can be reproduced from the data:
Ties are broken alphabetically. Prices are researched typical retail ranges, not live quotes. Check each plant's profile for the regional breakdown. 16 plants in the directory met the entry bar; the top 15 are listed here.
All 15 fast-growing soil-free and mounted plants, ranked
Aquatic bladderwort
Utricularia gibba
Best for: Filling a space quickly, in a home with pets
Elite tier: top-scoring on every measure
✓ Strong signal Light tolerance:
⚠ Watch out for Mat thinning and turning brown: usually water too hard/alkaline or too little light
Our take Bladderwort is the easiest carnivorous plant you can keep: it floats free in ponds or tanks, needs no substrate, no soil, and no feeding. Its microscopic bladder traps vacuum up daphnia, cyclops, and mosquito larvae on their own.
Strengths
- Fast enough to see progress month to month
- Non-toxic to cats and dogs
- Beginner-friendly and forgiving of missed waterings
Trade-offs
- Watch for: mat thinning and turning brown
Care details
| Light | : |
| Water | : |
| Humidity | : |
| Temperature | : |
| Toxicity | Non-toxic to fish, cats, dogs, and humans |
| US price | $5–$12 |
Upright air plant
Pink-spike air plant
Best for: Filling a space quickly, in a home with pets
Elite tier: top-scoring on every measure
✓ Strong signal Light tolerance: Bright indirect light; soft-leaf forms take less sun, hard-leaf forms take more
⚠ Watch out for Centre leaves pull out easily, base darkens: usually crown rot from water sitting in the dense rosette
Our take Stricta is one of the fastest and most forgiving air plants: bright indirect light, a 20-30 minute weekly soak, then shake and dry upside down so no water sits in the rosette. Unlike blushing species, it blooms with a distinct pink bract spike and blue flowers, and it clumps quic
Strengths
- Fast enough to see progress month to month
- Non-toxic to cats and dogs
- Beginner-friendly and forgiving of missed waterings
Trade-offs
- Wants higher humidity than most homes provide
- Watch for: centre leaves pull out easily, base darkens
Care details
| Light | Bright indirect light; soft-leaf forms take less sun, hard-leaf forms take more |
| Water | : |
| Humidity | 40-60% ideal; increase watering frequency in heated winter rooms |
| Temperature | 10-32°C (50-90°F); protect from frost |
| Toxicity | Non-toxic to cats, dogs, and humans |
| US price | $5–$12 |
Spanish moss
Tillandsia usneoides
Best for: Filling a space quickly, in a home with pets
Elite tier: top-scoring on every measure
✓ Strong signal Light tolerance: Bright indirect light or dappled sun; scorches in hot direct afternoon sun indoors
⚠ Watch out for Strands turn crispy, pale, and snap when bent: usually under-watering. the most common indoor failure
Our take Spanish moss is the highest-water air plant most people will own: mist thoroughly 3-4 times a week (daily in dry homes), or dunk the whole curtain weekly, and hang it where air moves so it dries between waterings. Bright indirect light, no soil, no pot, just drape it.
Strengths
- Fast enough to see progress month to month
- Non-toxic to cats and dogs
- Inexpensive to start ($5–$15 in the US)
Trade-offs
- Wants higher humidity than most homes provide
- Watch for: strands turn crispy, pale, and snap when bent
Care details
| Light | Bright indirect light or dappled sun; scorches in hot direct afternoon sun indoors |
| Water | : |
| Humidity | Loves 50%+; ideal over a kitchen sink or in a bright bathroom |
| Temperature | 10-35°C (50-95°F); survives brief light frosts outdoors when established |
| Toxicity | Non-toxic to cats, dogs, and humans |
| US price | $5–$15 |
String of hearts
Hearts entangled
Best for: Filling a space quickly, in a home with pets
Elite tier: top-scoring on every measure
✓ Strong signal Light tolerance: Bright light with 2-3 hours of gentle direct sun; a south or west window slightly set back is ideal
⚠ Watch out for Leaves yellow and drop, stems mushy near the soil: usually overwatering. the tuberous caudex is rotting
Our take Treat it like a succulent that happens to trail: bright light with some gentle direct sun, water only when the pot has dried out (every 1-2 weeks in summer, monthly in winter), and a gritty, fast-draining mix in a smallish pot. Strong light keeps the marbling silver and the leave
Strengths
- Fast enough to see progress month to month
- Non-toxic to cats and dogs
- Inexpensive to start ($8–$25 in the US)
Trade-offs
- Watch for: leaves yellow and drop, stems mushy near the soil
Care details
| Light | Bright light with 2-3 hours of gentle direct sun; a south or west window slightly set back is ideal |
| Water | Only when the soil has dried fully. Every 1-2 weeks in the growing season, every 3-4 weeks in winter |
| Humidity | Ordinary household humidity; no misting needed |
| Temperature | 18-27°C (65-80°F); keep above 10°C (50°F) |
| Toxicity | Non-toxic to cats, dogs, and humans |
| US price | $8–$25 |
Mounted Boston fern
Boston fern slab
Best for: Filling a space quickly, in a home with pets
Strong pick: one clear trade-off
✓ Strong signal Light tolerance: Bright indirect light; direct sun dries the pad and scorches fronds within a day
⚠ Watch out for Fronds crisp brown within days of mounting: usually the mount dries far faster than the pot the fern came from, and the watering routine was not changed
Our take This is a method page: how to grow a Boston fern mounted rather than potted. Tie the crown to cork or hardwood over a damp sphagnum pad using fishing line or nylon cord (never glue on living tissue), hang it in bright indirect light with humidity above 50%, and expect to water ev
Strengths
- Fast enough to see progress month to month
- Non-toxic to cats and dogs
Trade-offs
- Watch for: fronds crisp brown within days of mounting
Care details
| Light | Bright indirect light; direct sun dries the pad and scorches fronds within a day |
| Water | : |
| Humidity | 50-70% minimum; below that a mounted Boston fern browns off no matter how often you water |
| Temperature | 16-24°C (60-75°F); keep away from radiators, which are lethal to mounted ferns |
| Toxicity | Non-toxic to cats, dogs, and humans |
| US price | $25–$60 |
Mounted dendrobium orchid
Bamboo orchid
Best for: Filling a space quickly, in a home with pets
Strong pick: one clear trade-off
✓ Strong signal Light tolerance: Bright: comparable to a cattleya; most dendrobiums want more light than a phalaenopsis
⚠ Watch out for Healthy plant, plenty of new canes, no flowers: usually no cool dry winter rest. it was watered and fed all year
Our take The single most important dendrobium fact: most types need a cool, dry winter rest, roughly 8-12 weeks at 10-16°C with little or no water and no fertiliser, or they simply will not bloom. Grow it mounted on cork with bare roots, drench and dry through the growing season, then sto
Strengths
- Fast enough to see progress month to month
- Non-toxic to cats and dogs
Trade-offs
- Watch for: healthy plant, plenty of new canes, no flowers
Care details
| Light | Bright: comparable to a cattleya; most dendrobiums want more light than a phalaenopsis |
| Water | : |
| Humidity | 50-70% in growth; rest can be drier |
| Temperature | 18-30°C in growth; 10-16°C nights during the rest period |
| Toxicity | Non-toxic to cats, dogs, and humans |
| US price | $25–$70 |
Mounted hoya
Slab-mounted hoya
Best for: Steady, predictable growth: pet-safe and beginner-friendly
Strong pick: one clear trade-off
✓ Strong signal Non-toxic to cats and dogs. Verified per species, not assumed from its family
⚠ Watch out for Stem blackens at the moss line: usually too much moss holding water against the stem
Our take This is a method page for growing a hoya mounted instead of potted. Tie the vine to a cork slab over a thin sphagnum pad, give bright indirect light, and water every 1-3 days.
Strengths
- Moderate, steady growth
- Non-toxic to cats and dogs
- Beginner-friendly and forgiving of missed waterings
Trade-offs
- Watch for: stem blackens at the moss line
Care details
| Light | Bright indirect light with an hour or two of gentle direct sun; good light is what drives flowering |
| Water | : |
| Humidity | 50-70% is ideal for mounted culture; hoyas cope with less than a mounted fern would |
| Temperature | 18-29°C (65-85°F); keep above 12°C in winter |
| Toxicity | Non-toxic to cats, dogs, and humans |
| US price | $20–$60 |
Staghorn fern
Platycerium bifurcatum
Best for: Steady, predictable growth: pet-safe and beginner-friendly
Strong pick: one clear trade-off
✓ Strong signal Non-toxic to cats and dogs. Verified per species, not assumed from its family
⚠ Watch out for Black soft patches at the base behind the shield fronds: usually rot from watering too often or moss never drying
Our take Grow a staghorn mounted on a board over sphagnum moss, in bright indirect light. Water by taking it off the wall and dunking the moss pad for 10-20 minutes when it feels light and dry.
Strengths
- Moderate, steady growth
- Non-toxic to cats and dogs
- Beginner-friendly and forgiving of missed waterings
Trade-offs
- Wants higher humidity than most homes provide
- Watch for: black soft patches at the base behind the shield fronds
Care details
| Light | Bright indirect light; gentle morning sun is fine, hot afternoon sun scorches fronds |
| Water | : |
| Humidity | 50%+ preferred; bathrooms and covered patios are ideal |
| Temperature | 16-30°C (60-86°F); established plants tolerate brief dips to around 0°C (32°F) |
| Toxicity | Non-toxic to cats, dogs, and humans |
| US price | $15–$60 |
Pink quill plant
Pink quill bromeliad
Best for: Steady, predictable growth, in a home with pets
Strong pick: one clear trade-off
✓ Strong signal Non-toxic to cats and dogs. Verified per species, not assumed from its family
⚠ Watch out for Base rots and the rosette collapses: usually grown in dense potting soil or watered like a normal houseplant
Our take Here is the contrast that trips people up: almost every tillandsia is grown bare with no medium at all, but T. cyanea is a potted plant.
Strengths
- Moderate, steady growth
- Non-toxic to cats and dogs
- Inexpensive to start ($10–$25 in the US)
Trade-offs
- Watch for: base rots and the rosette collapses
Care details
| Light | Bright indirect light; a little gentle morning sun deepens the bract colour, harsh midday sun scorches leaves |
| Water | : |
| Humidity | 50-70% preferred; brown leaf tips are the first sign the air is too dry |
| Temperature | 16-27°C (60-80°F); protect from cold draughts and never below 10°C |
| Toxicity | Non-toxic to cats, dogs, and humans |
| US price | $10–$25 |
Red-blushing air plant
Flame air plant
Best for: Steady, predictable growth, in a home with pets
Strong pick: one clear trade-off
✓ Strong signal Non-toxic to cats and dogs. Verified per species, not assumed from its family
⚠ Watch out for Centre turns brown-black and leaves shed from the middle: usually crown rot. water sat in the dense rosette
Our take Brachycaulos has soft, almost trichome-free green leaves, so it wants more water and humidity than silvery species but less direct sun: bright indirect light, a 20-30 minute weekly soak plus misting in dry rooms, and a thorough upside-down dry so no water sits in the dense rosett
Strengths
- Moderate, steady growth
- Non-toxic to cats and dogs
- Inexpensive to start ($5–$12 in the US)
Trade-offs
- Watch for: centre turns brown-black and leaves shed from the middle
Care details
| Light | Bright indirect light; soft leaves scorch in hot direct sun, but good light is needed for the red flush |
| Water | : |
| Humidity | 50-70% ideal; among the more humidity-hungry common species |
| Temperature | 12-32°C (54-90°F); protect from frost |
| Toxicity | Non-toxic to cats, dogs, and humans |
| US price | $5–$12 |
Dancing lady orchid
Golden shower orchid
Best for: Steady, predictable growth, in a home with pets
Strong pick: one clear trade-off
✓ Strong signal Non-toxic to cats and dogs. Verified per species, not assumed from its family
⚠ Watch out for New leaves emerge pleated like an accordion: usually the plant dried out or lost roots while the growth was forming
Our take Oncidiums have much finer roots than a cattleya, so a mount dries out fast and watering needs to be frequent and light: drench daily or every other day in growth, less in winter. Mount on cork or tree fern with a modest sphagnum pad, give bright indirect light and 50-70% humidity
Strengths
- Moderate, steady growth
- Non-toxic to cats and dogs
- Inexpensive to start ($20–$60 in the US)
Trade-offs
- Watch for: new leaves emerge pleated like an accordion
Care details
| Light | Bright indirect light; more than a phalaenopsis, less than a cattleya. Leaves should be light green |
| Water | : |
| Humidity | 50-70%; below 40% mounted oncidiums struggle badly |
| Temperature | 16-29°C (60-85°F) for most hybrids, with a modest night drop |
| Toxicity | Non-toxic to cats, dogs, and humans |
| US price | $20–$60 |
Elkhorn fern
Platycerium bifurcatum
Best for: Steady, predictable growth, in a home with pets
Strong pick: one clear trade-off
✓ Strong signal Non-toxic to cats and dogs. Verified per species, not assumed from its family
⚠ Watch out for Black, mushy patch behind the shield frond: usually rhizome rot from a permanently soggy moss pad and no airflow
Our take Elkhorn ferns grow on wood, not in soil. Mount the rhizome against a board over a sphagnum pad, give bright indirect light and moving air, and water by soaking the whole mount until the moss is saturated, then letting it drain and dry back.
Strengths
- Moderate, steady growth
- Non-toxic to cats and dogs
- Inexpensive to start ($20–$60 in the US)
Trade-offs
- Watch for: black, mushy patch behind the shield frond
Care details
| Light | Bright indirect light; an hour of gentle morning sun is fine, hot midday sun scorches the fronds |
| Water | : |
| Humidity | 50-70% ideal; bathrooms and kitchens suit it well |
| Temperature | 10-30°C (50-86°F); briefly tolerates a light frost but should be protected |
| Toxicity | Non-toxic to cats, dogs, and humans |
| US price | $20–$60 |
Mounted philodendron
Slab-mounted philodendron
Best for: Filling a space quickly
Strong pick: one clear trade-off
✓ Strong signal Light tolerance: Bright indirect light; direct sun scorches leaves and dries the pad within hours
⚠ Watch out for Leaves yellow and stem softens at the base: usually the moss pad was kept sodden with no drainage or airflow
Our take This is a method page for growing a climbing philodendron mounted rather than potted. Tie the stem to a cork slab or board over a damp sphagnum pad so the aerial roots grip the surface, keep humidity above 60%, and water every 1-3 days.
Strengths
- Fast enough to see progress month to month
Trade-offs
- Toxic to pets if chewed
- Wants higher humidity than most homes provide
- Watch for: leaves yellow and stem softens at the base
Care details
| Light | Bright indirect light; direct sun scorches leaves and dries the pad within hours |
| Water | : |
| Humidity | 60%+ for mounted culture to work well; below 50% aerial roots shrivel instead of gripping |
| Temperature | 18-29°C (65-85°F); keep away from radiators and cold glass |
| Toxicity | Toxic to cats and dogs. Calcium oxalate crystals cause oral pain, drooling and swelling if chewed |
| US price | $25–$70 |
Mounted cattleya orchid
Mounted cattleya
Best for: Steady, predictable growth, in a home with pets
Situational: works if the trade-offs suit you
✓ Strong signal Non-toxic to cats and dogs. Verified per species, not assumed from its family
⚠ Watch out for Pseudobulbs wrinkle and shrivel: usually dehydration. the mount is drying faster than the watering routine allows
Our take Mounted cattleyas grow bare-rooted on cork or tree fern with little or no moss. Water heavily every day or two in growth so the roots go green, then let them dry to silver before the next drenching.
Strengths
- Moderate, steady growth
- Non-toxic to cats and dogs
Trade-offs
- Watch for: pseudobulbs wrinkle and shrivel
Care details
| Light | High: bright filtered sun, an east or lightly shaded south window; leaves should be apple-green, not dark green |
| Water | : |
| Humidity | 50-70%; the higher the humidity, the better mounted culture works |
| Temperature | 16-30°C (60-86°F) with a 5-8°C night drop, which helps trigger flowering |
| Toxicity | Non-toxic to cats, dogs, and humans |
| US price | $30–$90 |
Vanda orchid
Blue orchid
Best for: Steady, predictable growth, in a home with pets
Situational: works if the trade-offs suit you
✓ Strong signal Non-toxic to cats and dogs. Verified per species, not assumed from its family
⚠ Watch out for Roots stay silver and shrivelled, leaves wrinkle: usually under-watering. the commonest vanda failure, especially indoors
Our take Vandas are grown hanging bare-root in slat baskets with no medium at all. They need the highest light of the common orchids (short of direct midday sun), watering close to daily in warm weather, weak fertiliser at almost every watering, and constant air movement so the roots dry
Strengths
- Moderate, steady growth
- Non-toxic to cats and dogs
Trade-offs
- Watch for: roots stay silver and shrivelled, leaves wrinkle
Care details
| Light | Very bright, the highest of the common orchids; direct early morning and late afternoon sun is welcome, filter harsh midday sun |
| Water | : |
| Humidity | 60-80% ideal; in dry homes water more often rather than trapping humidity around the plant |
| Temperature | 18-35°C (65-95°F) for standard hybrids; keep above 13°C (55°F) |
| Toxicity | Non-toxic to cats, dogs, and humans |
| US price | $25–$80 |
Stop guessing whether that corner is bright enough
Sodate measures the actual light where your plant sits and builds its watering schedule from that reading and your season, not a fixed interval. Currently in development.
See Sodate: coming soonWhat to check before buying
- Ask where the plant was grown. Greenhouse-grown stock looks perfect for weeks on stored energy before it shows dim-room stress
- Check leaf spacing on the stem: wide gaps mean it was already stretching for light before you bought it
- Choose plain-green over variegated for genuinely dim spots. Variegated leaves have less chlorophyll and need more light
- Inspect leaf undersides and stem joints for pests, which spread faster on plants stressed by low light
- Confirm pet toxicity yourself if you have cats or dogs, rather than relying on shelf labels
Red flags to walk away from
- Fast growth promised without a light requirement attached. Nearly every fast plant is only fast in bright light.
- Vining plants sold without a support. They grow quickly and then sprawl, which is a pruning commitment, not a decor choice.
- 'Grows quickly' used to sell a plant that will outgrow the room. Check the mature size before the growth rate.
- Air plants sold glued into shells or ornaments. The glue blocks the base and the plant cannot be soaked properly, so it dies slowly.
Best time to buy
Buy in early spring. You get the entire growing season ahead of you, the plant establishes before winter, and you see the growth these plants are bought for rather than waiting months for it to start.
Frequently asked questions
Why has my fast-growing plant stopped growing?
Almost always light, and secondarily season. Most of these plants slow or stop from late autumn to early spring regardless of care, and a plant described as fast will be slow in a dim corner.
Do fast-growing plants need more fertiliser?
More than slow ones, yes, but only during active growth. Feeding a dormant plant in winter does nothing useful and salt build-up in the soil can burn the roots.
Will a fast grower outgrow my space?
Several here will. Check the mature size row on each profile. Fast plus large is a pruning commitment; fast plus compact is the combination most people actually want.
How is soil-free care different?
There is no reservoir. Potting soil holds water for days between waterings, and a mounted or bare-root plant does not, so watering is more frequent and drying between waterings is essential rather than optional.
Do these plants need fertiliser?
Yes, and it is easy to forget because there is no soil to amend. Most need a dilute feed added to their soaking or misting water during growth, at a fraction of normal strength.
Limitations of this ranking
Stated plainly, so you can judge how much weight to give it:
- No physical testing. Nothing here was grown, timed or measured by us. Every score is computed from the structured care data on this site, which is compiled from the botanical and horticultural sources listed below.
- Prices are researched ranges, not live quotes. They are typical retail for a standard starter size and will drift. Each plant profile carries the regional breakdown for five countries.
- Scores are relative to this directory, which holds 208 profiles. A plant absent from the directory cannot appear here, so this is not a claim about every plant in existence.
- Care data is species-level. Your light, your water and your home will move any of these plants up or down more than the gap between adjacent ranks.
- No individual expert reviewer is named. These pages are compiled and edited in-house against a published rubric. Where a claim matters, the source is cited below rather than attributed to an unnamed authority.
Sources
Of the 208 plant profiles in this directory, 16 meet the entry bar for fast-growing soil-free and mounted plants (8%). 14 of the 15 ranked here are non-toxic to cats and dogs, and the median entry price across the list is $20.
- ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List. Species-level toxicity to cats and dogs, used for every pet-safety score.
- GBIF (Global Biodiversity Information Facility). Accepted botanical names and taxon identifiers for every profile.
- iNaturalist. Source of the CC-licensed photographs, with photographer and licence credited per image.
- RHS Plant Finder. UK cultivation guidance, hardiness ratings and cultivar naming.
- Missouri Botanical Garden Plant Finder. Cross-checked culture notes, mature size and problem diagnosis.
Editorial disclosure: no plant on this page is sponsored, and Sodate takes no payment, commission or affiliate revenue for placement. Rankings are generated from the data by the scoring code in this site's repository, not chosen by hand. Published , last updated by Sodate Editorial Team.