The easiest way to kill a precious plant is by over-watering it. This does not mean that when you water you are giving the plant too much. Rather that you are watering too often or are leaving the plant sitting in water.
So to help you keep your beloved indoor plants alive, we put together this comprehensive guide on how to water a houseplant.
Let's dive in.
How To Water A Houseplant: A Step-By-Step Guide
An appropriate watering regmine is crucial for the health and vitality of your houseplants. Yet it's here that so many people fall down and see their indoor plants die. To help avoid that sad outcome, here's a step-by-step guide on how to approach watering your houseplants. Remember, always buy from someone who will provide you this information or research your individual plant's watering needs as each type of plant will need something different from you to feel at home.
1. Make Sure You Understand Your Specific Plant's Needs
Different houseplants evovled to live in very distinct habitats in the wild so have different water requirements in your home. Gain an understanding of the specific needs of your plant species to understand how often it should be watered.
Some plants, succulents and semi-succulents (including the likes of hoyas), can't rely on regular access to water in the wild so have evolved the capacity to take up excess water in their leaves, stems or roots. These plants require you to allow both reserves of water in the soil and also in their leaves before you water them again.
On the other hand plants with very thin leaves on the other hand, such as begonias, require their growing medium to be kept moist, but not damp, most of the time. In short, to get perfect plant happiness your watering regime needs to be as close as possible that of the wild habitat of that particular plant.
2. Check the Soil Moisture
Before watering, check the moisture level of the soil. For plants which need to be kept moist but not damp you can do this by pressing your finger into the top of the growing medium and if it is still dry when you have pushed your finger in by 1 or 2 cm the plant needs watering.
3. Allow the Soil to Dry Out
However if your plants require it you must allow the medium to completely dry out between watering. For these plants, such as Monstera, Philodendron, and Hoyas, you can assess the mediums dryness both by judging the weight of the pot and by assessing the leaves. For Hoyas, Aloes, and all desert plants wait until the leaves or the modified stem of the plant feels, or in the case of cacti, looks thin, and the plant slightly dull before watering. If in doubt, don't.
4. Choose the Right Time
If possible, water your plants in the morning. This allows the plants to absorb the water throughout the day when they are most active. This prevents water from sitting in the soil overnight, which can lead to root rot. If this is not practicable and your plant has direct light on its leaves when you are planning to water it move it to a cooler spot to do so.
4. Use Room Temperature Water
Cold water can shock the roots of your plants. Use rain water or if you are using tap water make sure to fill your watering can and let the water sit for a few hours to reach room temperature before using it.
5. Remove your plant from its cover pot
A common mistake is to water your plant when it is sitting in a cover pot. This results in your plant being left sitting in an excess water. Even if this is a small amount of water this drives the oxygen out of the growing medium effectively creating a mini bog. This provides a home for bacteria which in turn leads to root rot and the untimely demise of your plant.
6. Water evenly & thoroughly
People often think over watering means giving your plant too much water and any one time rather that watering too frequently. When you WATER. Pour water evenly around the top of the growing medium on all sides, ensuring that the entire root system has been thoroughly drenched and excess water is draining from all the drainage holes in the bottom of the pot. If the medium is very dry this might mean watering the plant a number of times to make sure it has been evenly watered. If your plant likes this you can also use it as an opportunity to drench its leaves. Keeping their leaves free of dust makes for healthier and happier plants.
7. Adjust for Seasonal Changes
How often you should water is also affected by the temperature in your house and the number of hours of sunlight. As plants eat sunshine the sunnier it is the more they grow and the more frequent watering they will require. As temperatures get cooler and day light hours less many houseplants go into a state of semi-dormancy and require watering much less often. Plants typically need less water during the winter months when they are not actively growing. Be mindful of seasonal changes and adjust your watering schedule accordingly.
9. Monitor and Adjust
Regularly monitor the health of your plant and adjust your watering routine as needed. Signs of overwatering include yellowing leaves and root rot, while underwatering can cause wilting and dry, crispy leaves.
10. Use a Humidity Tray (Optional)
For plants that thrive in higher humidity, consider using a humidity tray. Place a layer of pebbles in a tray and add water. Place the pot on top of the pebbles, ensuring the bottom of the pot is above the water level. This will create a humid micro-environment around the plant.
By following these steps, you'll be well on your way to keeping your houseplants healthy and happy. Remember, each plant is unique, so it's essential to observe and adjust your care routine to meet their specific needs.
How To Water A Houseplant From Below
Watering a houseplant from below is an effective method for encouraging deep root growth and preventing overwatering. This technique is particularly beneficial for plants like African violets, succulents, and any houseplants prone to root rot or sensitive to wet foliage.
To water from below, fill a tray or basin with water. Place the plant pot, ensuring it has drainage holes, in the water. Allow the plant to absorb moisture through these holes untill the top of the soil feels slightly moist. How long this will take depends on the size of the pot. This method ensures even moisture distribution and minimises the risk of fungal diseases by keeping the leaves dry.
Remove the pot from the water and let any excess drain away. Watering from below also prevents splashing on leaves, which is ideal for plants with delicate foliage or those susceptible to leaf spot diseases.
Regularly using this method can promote healthier root development and overall plant vitality, making it a preferred choice for many indoor gardeners.
What Should I Do If I've Overwatered My Indoor Plants?
Sometimes we just can't help ourselves. We get a new plant and want to be nice to it. We re-pot them as soon as they arrive just to make them feel welcome. We water too frequently just because we like interacting with them.
If that sounds like you there are things that will help. Increase the drainage capacity of all your plants by adding grit, or perlite or by keeping them in terracotta pots. If you think you already have root rot you can knock your plant out of its pot cut away any roots that are damaged and repot it in fresh growing medium. If there is very little root left reduce the size and/or number of the leaves to help it as it re-establishes itself.
How To Save A Wilted Plant
To save a wilted plant, start by assessing its watering needs. Check the soil moisture; if it's dry, take the plant somewhere cool and give it a thorough watering, allowing excess water to drain away.
If the soil is waterlogged, follow the steps above for an over watered plant.
If the watering regime seems okay but the ends or edges of the leaves are crisp then seek to improve humidity by misting the plant or placing it on a humidity tray.
If pests are present take appropriate action to removed and treat them.
With patience and proper care, many wilted plants can bounce back to health.
Why For Some Plants Is It Important To Avoid Splashing The Leaves?
For many plants with very textured or furry leaves avoiding splashing leaves when watering is crucial to prevent 'rot spots' appearing on the leaves as well as reducing the risk of fungal diseases, mould, and mildew. This is particularly important for houseplants like African violets, begonias, and orchids, which are prone to such problems.
Keeping the foliage dry for these plants helps maintain plant health and appearance. Watering at the base of the plant or using methods like bottom watering ensures that the moisture reaches the roots without wetting the leaves, thus minimizing the risk of disease and promoting overall plant well-being.
However other plants love to have their leaves drenched or enjoy misting.
Misting: What Is It And How Do We Do It?
Misting is beneficial for plants that thrive in high-humidity environments, like tropical species.
It mimics their natural habitat, helping to maintain adequate moisture levels and preventing leaf dehydration. Misting can also reduce dust on leaves, improving photosynthesis efficiency.
To water by misting:
Choose the Right Plants - Misting is ideal for plants like ferns, orchids, and air plants.
Use Clean Water - Fill a spray bottle with room temperature water, preferably distilled or filtered water to avoid mineral deposits on leaves.
Mist Regularly - Lightly mist the leaves in the morning, allowing them to dry throughout the day. Avoid misting in the evening to prevent fungal growth.
Monitor Humidity - Use a hygrometer to ensure the humidity levels are suitable for your plant.
Avoid Over-Misting - Ensure the leaves are damp but not soaking wet to prevent mould and mildew.
Misting can enhance the health and vitality of humidity-loving plants when done correctly.
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