Beads That Soak Up Water

• Beads that soak up water can be used in floral arrangements. Mimi Haddon/Stockbyte/Getty Images

  Beads that soak up water can be used in a variety of ways, including as a way to keep your plants at home hydrated or something for your children to entertain themselves with. There are many different brands to choose from, most being relatively inexpensive.

Crystal Flower Beads

• Crystal flower beads are a type of bead often used at the bottom of flower arrangements, not only for decorating purposes but also to soak up water to nourish the flowers without having a vase full of water. To use them, you must soak the beads in water for about 12 hours, arrange your flowers and then pour the beads in last. These water beads can be rehydrated for use over and over again, according to the Water Beads website.

Humidor Beads

• Humidification beads, which are specifically designed for use in a humidor, can be found at many different cigar retailers. A humidor is a device that keeps cigars at a constant humidity so they don't dry out and go bad. Humidor beads last quite a long time, and some brands even last the life of your humidor.

Fragrance Beads

• Fragrance beads (also called aroma beads or scent beads) are beads that soak up fragrance oils that can be displayed in a room to give off a desired scent, similar to how potpourri works. Fragrance beads are often preferred to candles because there is no risk of fire associated with the candle flame. You can use them in potpourri bowls or make your own sachets with them because the scent will last quite a long time.