How to Water Houseplants: The Essential Guide
You might have fallen victim to overwatering or under-watering your houseplants in the past. While it might seem like an easy task, watering your houseplants can be quite tasking. You might not know when to stop watering your plant or stop watering too soon. The trick is in striking a balance between the two. We will help you discover how to water houseplants correctly in our guide. Keep reading to find out more.
How to water houseplants
Different factors determine how to water houseplants. Some houseplants require more water than others. Other houseplants are affected by salts and chemicals in water and only respond well to distilled water. Some houseplants have leaves that react to water and prefer to be watered from below.
Other plants like air plants take in nutrients from the leaves and can benefit from a good misting. The key to correctly watering your houseplant depends on what type of plant it is and its watering needs. Other factors that influence watering needs include:
- Sunlight exposure
- Temperature
- Potting media
- Humidity
- Season (winter, spring, summer, fall)
Best methods of watering houseplants
There are various ways of watering different houseplants. You can use the appropriate method to water your plant depending on its needs. Get a glimpse of the various watering methods below.
How to water houseplants from the bottom
Some plants prefer to be watered from below. This is because such plants are susceptible to crown or stem rot. For instance, most cacti and succulents are prone to stem and crown rot and would benefit from this watering method. Watering from below helps the plant absorb adequate moisture using its roots. Below is how you water your plant from below.
- Fill a saucer with water
- Let your houseplant sit on the saucer for several minutes
- Your plant should soak in water after a few minutes
- Remove your plant from the saucer and return it to its location.
How to water houseplants from above
You can water your houseplant effectively from above. Overhead watering is an effective way of watering most houseplants. When watering your plant from above, try to avoid splashing water on the leaves. Focus on watering your plant at its base. Here is how to water your plant from above.
- Using a watering can water your plant sparingly at the soil level
- Ensure the soil is evenly moist
- Let the excess water drain out of the soil
- Return your plant to its position
How to mist your plant
Some plants absorb water through their leaves and regularly misting the leaves would be ideal. Get a glimpse of how to water your plant by misting below.
- Using a spray can, mist the leaves of your houseplant
- Ensure you spray all leaves uniformly before returning your plant to its location
Water the center of the plant
Houseplants like Bromeliads have a cup-like structure in the middle of their foliage. These plants can effectively absorb water from their reservoirs. Below is how to water houseplants at the center.
- Fill the cup-like structure of your plant with water
- Regularly flush out excess water to prevent rotting
How much to water houseplants
How much water to give houseplants depends on the type of houseplant you have, the season, how much light it gets, and other factors. Most tropical plants require more water than cacti and succulents.
You might also need to water your houseplant more during summer and spring and less during winter. When you expose your plant to bright light, it will dry out quickly compared to a plant in a dark corner.
When watering your houseplant, let the excess water drain completely from the soil. Plants like the Lucky Bamboo, Ferns, and African Violets require plenty of water to thrive. Other plants like Cast Iron plants and Snake plants are drought-resistant and don’t require too much moisture to survive.
How often to water houseplants
When to water houseplants relies on several factors. Some plants require regular watering while others can go for weeks without watering. There are several signs you can look out for to tell when your houseplant needs watering. Some of these signs include:
- Dry soil
- Wilting leaves
- Yellow leaves
- Dropping leaves
When you notice the above signs, be sure to water your plant. Most houseplants like moist but not soggy soil. Wet soil causes root rot that kills your plant eventually. Always use containers with ample drainage holes to pot your houseplant.
How to water houseplants: How often to water houseplants in winter
During winter, you might need to cut back on watering. This is because, during winter, most houseplants are dormant and grow slowly. You can reduce watering to every 2 weeks for most houseplants.
Every 3 weeks would be ideal for your succulent plants. Cacti plants can go longer without water during winter. Water your houseplant when the soil feels dry and ensure excess water drains from the soil completely.
How to water houseplants: How often to water Ivy houseplant
An Ivy plant is an easy houseplant that does not demand too much water. This beautiful houseplant requires moderate watering to thrive. Water your Ivy pant at least once weekly during spring and summer.
Reduce watering during winter. You can check the soil to determine the right time to water your plant. If the top inch of the soil feels dry, you can water your Ivy plant. Water the plant thoroughly and evenly to ensure the soil is lightly moist. Try to use lukewarm water when watering your Ivy plant.
The best water for houseplants
Some houseplants are sensitive and don’t respond well to some types of water. The best water for most houseplants is distilled water or rainwater. Distilled water and rainwater is free from chemicals that might impact your plant negatively.
Some plants will survive on tap water too. However, tap water can contain minerals like chlorine and fluoride which affect some houseplants. Some plants like Calathea can develop brown spots when watered with tap water.
Hard water contains minerals such as magnesium, calcium, bicarbonates, and others that can build up in your plant’s soil over time. These minerals can affect the nutrients or Ph of the soil which in turn negatively impacts the health of your plant. If you use hard water to water your plant, you can try to regularly flush out the minerals using rainwater or distilled water.
Always use lukewarm water or room temperature water when watering your houseplant. Extremely hot or cold water can damage your plant.
How to filter water for houseplants
There are several ways you can filter water. Below are some methods you can use to make water safe for your houseplant.
Let the water settle
You can pour water into a container and let it sit for several hours. This allows chlorine to evaporate and salts to settle at the bottom of your container. You can then water your houseplant and discard the bottom water containing salts safely.
Boil the water
Another effective way to filter your water is by boiling it. Boiling allows chlorine to evaporate making the water safe for your houseplants. Allow the water to cool down before watering your plant. Water that is at room temperature would be best for most houseplants.
Use an Activated Carbon Filter (ACF)
An Activated Carbon Filter is a cylinder with activated charcoal that can effectively filter your water. The activated charcoal removes chlorine and other contaminants from the water making it safe for your houseplants.
How to water houseplants while on vacation
You probably want to take some time off to unwind and you are wondering how your houseplant will survive while you are away. Well, there are several ways you can water your plant while you enjoy your time away. Below are several effective methods you can use.
Water wicking method
This method requires you to have a container that can hold enough water for your houseplant and a cotton rope or any other wicking material. Here is how you water your plant using a wicking system.
- Dip one end of your cotton rope in the container with water
- Ensure the tip touches the base of the container
- Dip the other end of your rope in the soil
- Ensure the rope is several inches into your plant’s soil
- The cotton rope should wick water from the container to the soil and maintain constant levels of moisture
Use a DIY drip system
You can easily create a drip system with a used wine bottle or any other long-necked bottle. You can choose a medium-sized or large bottle depending on your plant’s watering needs. Here is how you use a drip system to water your plant.
- Drill several holes into the cap of your plastic bottle
- Push the bottle several inches into your plant’s soil
- Ensure the holes are covered by the soil and that the soil can support your bottle
- Water should slowly drip from your bottle to the soil and keep your plant sufficiently moist
We understand that watering houseplants can be challenging. You might end up giving too little or too much. However, when you know what type of plant you have it becomes easier to water it. Some houseplants prefer to be watered from below while others are just fine with overhead watering.
Other plants only respond well to rainwater or distilled water. When you are away for a business trip or vacation, you can use DIY wick systems or drip systems to water your houseplants. If you require more assistance, get in touch with us today.