How to water houseplants properly (2024)

Knowing how to water houseplants may sound simple enough, but many of us struggle with doing it properly. Variables can make it difficult to know exactly when (and how often) to water your plant, not to mentionhow much waterevery plant needs. Here you will learn howwatering houseplantscorrectly, learn the best type of water to use and recognize disclosuresigns of too much water. If you follow our guidelines, you will never have to deal with brittle, dried out leaves or mushy, brown plants again.

How much should you water houseplants?

Not all plants need the same amount of water, so if you're not sure how much your specific species needs, listen to their natural habitat. Many popular houseplants, such asphilodendron, comes from tropical areas of the world where it rains regularly. These varieties usually have large leaves that need a lot of water to look good. Plants like these need more water than desert dwellers,such as cacti and succulents, which often do better if you let the soil dry out between waterings.

The time of year can also make a difference. Many houseplants grow more in the spring and summer, but not as much in the fall and winter. If you notice less growth than normal, reduce the amount of water you give your plants until they start growing again.

When should you water your houseplants?

As a rule of thumb, if you see wilting leaves, it's time to water your plants, but you don't want to let them get to that point. They won't look as good, and that makes them less able to ward off disease. Instead, make it a habit to check your houseplants at least once a week to see if they need a drink. You can also use an app likeVandbugofHappy plantto remind you when it's time to make your rounds.

The best way to determine if your plants need water is to insert your finger about an inch into the plantpotmix- when it feels dry, remove the watering can. If you notice any moisture, come back in a day or two. For smaller houseplants you can also remove the entire container. If it feels light for its size, add water. Then lift it up again and you will feel how heavy the pot must feel when the soil is saturated.

Timing is critical when deciding how to water houseplants. Watering in the morning is preferable to the evening because any extra moisture that ends up on the leaves has a chance to dry and evaporate during the day when temperatures are usually warmer. The longer excess moisture remains on the leaves of the plants, the betterhigher risk of diseasesgrabs.

Best water for houseplants

When watering your houseplants, the type of water you choose depends on a number of circ*mstances. Most tap water should be fine for houseplants unlessit has softenedbecause softened water contains salts that can build up in the soil over time and cause problems. Chlorinated water is also safe for most houseplants, but if you have onefilter system, it's much better for your plants. Another option is to collect rainwater for use.

Regardless of the type of water you choose, the best methods for watering houseplants always involve using itwater at room temperature. Both extremely cold and hot water can damage the leaves of your houseplants and even cause the plant to go into shock.

How to water houseplants

Your room temperature water is ready to use and the soil feels dry, what next? You may be tempted to drizzle on some water to avoid overwatering, but that won't help your plants much. Because most roots are not exactly on the soil surface, the best way to water houseplants is to pour enough water to thoroughly soak the soil around each plant, and continue doing so until the water begins to drain from the container. flow.drainage holeon the base. If you collect the extra water in a saucer, your plant's soil will sometimes absorb a little more while it's in there. However, make sure to throw the dish away after about 10 minutesthe roots of your plant may rot.

Another option for watering houseplants is to fill the saucer or other type of container with water and place the planters inside to soak up water from the bottom. You will see the water seep through the drainage holes in the ground within a few minutes. Continue filling the saucer until the water is no longer absorbed. This is the ideal method for watering plants that do not like moisture near the stems.such as cacti, succulents,InAfrican violets.

How do you know if you are overwatering your houseplants?

There's a reason why pots have drainage holes. Too much water deprives your plant's roots of oxygen, causing them to drown and die. Even with good drainage, keeping the soil consistently wet can make it difficult for air to reach the roots. There are a few ways to tell if you're overwatering your plants before it's too late to save them.

No new growth andyellowing leavesLitter can be a sign of overwatering. You may also notice the wilting, which can be confusing because it isAlsosign of too little water. The trick is to check the soil if you notice these problemsmoisture meter for plantscan certainly help. If it feels wet, you probably need to tread lightly on the water. If the soil is dry, you may need to water your plant more.

You can also use your nose to determine if you have an overwatering problem. High moisture encourages the growth of mold and bacteria in the soil, which can cause unpleasant odors, especially if the roots rot. When you meet someonefungus gnats flutter aroundIf you are watering your plant, you have probably been too hard with the watering can.

If you think you've overwatered, it doesn't necessarily mean your plant is doomed. Simply let the soil dry out a bit before watering again, and then begin following the watering techniques we describe above. If that doesn't help your plant bounce back, you can also try repotting it with fresh soil after cutting away any dead or mushy roots with a few pruning pieces.

Make other adjustments

You may need to look at adjusting the temperatures orlight levels your plant receives. You can move your plant closer to a window to get more sun, or invest in onegrow lightlyfor plants that do not get enough natural light. Some plants need different amounts of light at different stages of growth, so make sure you get itright type of grow lightfor your houseplant. Grow lights can make a big difference in how well your houseplant performs.

Knowing how to water your houseplants certainly requires some experience. The more you do it, the better you will become at caring for your indoor garden. Try starting with a few variationshard to kill. Once you've mastered the basics and feel more confident in your watering skills, try tackling a few plants that are more challenging, butabsolutely worth it.