Water Beads

Water beads are a simple way to add colour and sparkle to your home, your event or your plants. Just add water and watch them grow. We stock water beads in 11 colours, in standard and jumbo sizes, and in every pack size from 10g samples to 1kg bulk packs.

Superior quality water beads to match your needs

Our water beads are colourfast and easy to use. People use them as vase fillers, for floating candles, in Halloween bowls, and lit up with LED lights for a lovely glow. Whatever you're planning, we've got a colour to suit.

What are water beads?

Water beads are made from a water-absorbing polymer called sodium polyacrylate. A 10g packet of dry water beads makes about 1.2 litres once they've soaked up water. You might also hear them called gel beads, water gel beads or hydrogel beads.

How are they used?

Here are the most common ways our customers use water beads:

• Vases and centrepieces. Water beads hold stems in place and look great in clear glass. In a vase they stay plump for about 2 to 3 weeks. Top them up with water and they plump back up. See our vase guide.
• Plants. Water beads for plants help hold moisture between waterings. Use them on their own for cuttings, or mix them through potting mix. Read our plant care guide.
• Floating candles. Fill a glass bowl or cylinder with clear beads and water, then float a candle on top. Jumbo water beads work well in tall cylinders.
• Weddings, parties and events. Match the beads to your colours for tables, lanterns and displays.
• Schools. Teachers use them for supervised science demos, to show how a polymer soaks up water. See our teacher's guide.

Which water beads should I choose?

• Clear: our most popular colour. Clear beads look like glass, so they suit vases, floating candles and cuttings. Shop clear water beads.
• Colours: pick a colour to match your flowers, room or event. We have 11 colours, plus a multicolour mix.
• Standard or jumbo: standard beads grow to about 1.2 to 1.5cm. Jumbo water beads grow to about the size of a ping pong ball and fill tall vases quickly.

How many water beads do I need?

A 10g pack makes about 1.2 litres of beads, which fills one standard vase. A 200g pack holds about 11,000 beads and makes about 24 litres. Not sure? Start with a 10g sample pack, or go straight to 1kg bulk packs for events.

Common questions

How long do water beads take to grow? Soak them in plenty of water for about 8 hours. Overnight is perfect.

How long do water beads last in a vase? Usually 2 to 3 weeks before they need a top-up. Add water and they plump back up. Our vase guide has more tips.

Can I use them again? Yes. Let them dry out and they shrink back down, then soak them again when you need them. See how to store water beads.

What are water beads made of? A water-absorbing polymer. Read more in what are water beads?

Planning a Christmas display? Try our instant snow.

Safety: Not a toy. Keep away from children and pets. Swallowed beads can cause a blockage. If swallowed, call the Poisons Information Centre on 13 11 26.