How do you know when it's time to water your houseplant?
Watering your houseplants is one of the most difficult parts of taking care of plants. Everyone, even advanced plant owners, has killed plants before because of too much or too little water. In this plant care guide, we'll look at several ways you can find out if your plant needs to be watered.
Watering your houseplants is one of the most difficult parts of taking care of plants. Everyone, even advanced plant owners, has killed plants before because of too much or too little water. So the question "How do you know when it's time to water your houseplants?" is not just a question beginners wonder about.
In this plant care guide about watering your houseplants, I'll answer these common questions and misconceptions:
Let's go on a journey and discover how to improve the way you water your houseplants. Watering your plants doesn't have to be stressful, it can be a moment where you get to enjoy your plants.
How much water does a plant need per day?
Watering your houseplants is difficult, especially when you're a beginner. It's very easy to believe that all plants love water and need water every day to survive. Watering your plant feels like you're feeding it and giving it love.
However, plants aren't the same as people and pets: they don't need constant attention. Most houseplants actually like their soil to dry out for a day before you water them again. If you water your plant daily, you will water your plant too much and this will kill it quite quickly.
Just to be clear: You should not water your plant daily. In general, watering your plant once per week is enough. This gives the soil a chance to dry out slightly, which is great for most plants.
We've learned that we shouldn't water our plants daily, but weekly. Then your next question could be: How much do you need to water your plant? That's a great question that we'll look at now.
How much do you need to water your plant?
Imagine you could water your plant perfectly every time, wouldn't that be amazing? It's quite easy to water your plant too much, but also forget to water it and let it dry out. So how do you know how much you should water your plant? Your pot and soil will help you with this: let's see why!
A pot with a drainage hole
If you've planted your plant in a pot that has a drainage hole, you're already halfway there. A drainage hole is a great tool when it comes to watering your plant. Water your plants very slowly, because this will help you to learn how much water your plant needs. When you water your plant slowly, you give the soil a chance to absorb the moisture. Any of the excess moisture will drain out of the bottom of the pot.
Let your pot drip for about 5 minutes and you should have watered your plant perfectly for this week.
A saucer under your pot
If you, like me, use a saucer under your pot with a drainage hole, you should follow an extra step. When you're watering your plants, move the pot away from the saucer. The moisture will drain out of the pot, but the saucer will catch that moisture and won't let it escape. This is very similar to not using a pot with a drainage hole because your plant will still sit in excess moisture. It's easiest if you water your plants above a sink, so your house stays clean.
A pot without a drainage hole
If you don't have a drainage hole in your pot, you need to make sure that your plant doesn't mind moisture. Any excess moisture that the soil in the pot can't absorb will stay at the bottom of the pot. If this water stays here for too long, this will cause root rot and can kill your plant.
Luckily, there are a few solutions when you're using a pot without a drainage hole!
You can create a raised bottom in your pot, using Smart Gravel and Leca. You can put your soil and plant on top of this layer to keep it away from the water at the bottom of the pot. This raised bottom will give you a much bigger chance to keep your plant healthy in a pot without a drainage hole.
Some plants, like cacti and succulents, need a drainage hole to get rid of excess moisture: they love dry soil. Plants like a Peace Lily and a Spider plant love moisture and will be fine in pots without a drainage hole.
You can read more about drainage holes in "Everything you should know about drainage holes in plant pots".
How can you tell if your plant needs water?
Dracaena with wrinkles because of thirst
We've already learned so much! We know that we shouldn't water a plant daily and also how much to water that plant, great! But what if you think your plant might need more water? What are the signs that show that your plant is thirsty? These are great questions that I'll answer in this section!
It's very easy to overwater a plant because it "looks" like it's thirsty. Let's look at a few conditions we should go through to make sure your plant needs water:
- The plant hasn't been watered for at least 7 days
- The top 1 inch (2.5 cm) of the soil is dry
- The plant is starting to droop or curl up
- No water is sitting at the bottom of the pot
When you've seen that all of these conditions are met, you can water your plant. Now, you won't have to worry about overwatering your plant, because you've given it time to dry up and breathe.
How can you make sure you don't water your plants too much?
One of the biggest mistakes beginning plant owners make is to overwater their plants. It's quite easy to overwater your plants, even more advanced plant owners do it from time to time. Luckily, there are a few ways you can make sure you're not overwatering your plants:
- Use a pot with a drainage hole
- Have a raised bottom in your pot without drainage holes
- Use well-draining soil
- Water your plants a maximum of once per week
- Give your plant time to absorb the moisture
Earlier in this guide, we've already mentioned the need for drainage holes or raised bottoms. These will make sure your plant and the soil never sit in a puddle of water at the bottom of the pot. This puddle of water can cause root rot quite easily, so the raised bottom and drainage hole prevent this.
A well-draining soil is great for draining away excess water. This helps your plant to not sit in moist soil. There are a few plants that love this environment, including Calatheas. But most plants like to be in soil that dries out for a day or 2 before you water it again.
Signs of overwatering or underwatering
As a plant parent, it's important to take note of how much water you're giving your plants. Giving too much or too little water can have negative effects on the health and growth of your plants. Here are some signs of overwatering or underwatering to keep an eye out for:
Overwatering:
- Yellowing leaves, especially at the bottom of the plant
- Wilting, even when the soil is moist
- Fungus or mold growth on the soil
- Root rot, which will cause the roots to turn brown or black and become mushy
Underwatering:
- Dry, crispy leaves that may also be wilted
- Slow growth or stunted growth
- Dull or faded-looking leaves
- Brown, dead spots on the leaves
Some plants need more water than others, so it's important to research the specific needs of your plants. As a general rule of thumb, most plants prefer to have their soil moist but not soaking wet.
Before watering your plants, make sure to check the soil with your finger to see if it's dry or moist. If it's dry, it's time to water your plants. If it's still moist, hold off on watering for a few more days.
Don't worry if you're still learning how to properly water your plants. Practice makes perfect, and your plants will thank you for your efforts! Just remember to pay attention to the signs your plants are giving you and adjust your watering habits accordingly.
What to do if you accidentally overwater your plant
It happens to the best of us. Overwatering is a common mistake for plant owners, and it's important to address it quickly. So, what should you do if you accidentally overwatered your plant?
First, look at the level of damage. Is the soil waterlogged, or are just a few leaves drooping? If it's waterlogged, you'll need to act fast. Gently remove the plant from its pot and examine the roots. If they're brown and mushy, they're rotting, and you'll need to trim them back to remove any dead roots. Repot the plant in fresh, well-draining soil.
If the roots are still healthy, you can simply allow the soil to dry out before watering again. Let the top 1-2 inches of soil dry completely before watering your plant again. In the future, make sure to check the soil's moisture level before watering to prevent overwatering.
Watering Methods
When it comes to watering plants, there are a variety of methods you can use to make sure your plants stay hydrated and healthy. Some prefer bottom watering, which involves placing the plant's pot in a tray of water and allowing it to absorb moisture from the bottom up. This can be especially effective for plants with deeper roots or those that are prone to root rot.
If you'd rather give your plants a more direct watering, water it from the top using a watering can. This involves watering the soil directly, making sure not to get water on the leaves and stems of your plants.
Watering Frequency
When it comes to watering your houseplants, one size does not fit all. Different plant species have different watering needs, and it's important to understand these requirements to make sure your plants thrive. Here are some tips for watering different types of houseplants:
Succulents
These desert plants store water in their leaves, making them naturally drought-resistant. It's best to let the soil dry out completely between waterings. This can be as infrequent as once every two weeks or even once a month, depending on the size and type of succulent. Overwatering can lead to root rot and ultimately kill your plant, so it's better to underwater rather than overwater.
Ferns
Ferns love humidity, so it's important to keep the soil damp (not soaking wet) at all times. You can achieve this by misting the leaves with water, placing a tray of pebbles filled with water underneath the pot, or investing in a humidifier. Depending on the species of fern, you may need to water once a week or every other week.
Cacti
Like succulents, cacti are used to dry environments. They can survive long periods without water, so it's important not to overwater them. Wait until the soil is completely dry before watering, and be sure to use a pot with drainage holes to prevent root rot. Depending on the species of cactus and the humidity levels in your home, you may only need to water once a month.
Watering techniques for plants in different types of pots
When you're watering your plants it's important to understand what the effect of the different types of pots have on your watering schedule. Ceramic and plastic pots are two of the most commonly used types of pots, so we'll look at what these types of pots mean for watering.
Ceramic pots
Ceramic pots are porous and require more frequent watering compared to plastic pots. The moisture from the soil escapes through the walls of a ceramic pot, which dries out the soil more quickly. It's important to check the soil moisture levels regularly by sticking your finger an inch deep into the soil. If the soil feels dry, it's time to water your plant. Make sure to water the soil evenly, allowing the excess water to drain out of the pot's drainage holes. This prevents waterlogging, which can rot the roots and in the worse case, kill your plant.
Plastic pots
On the other hand, plastic pots do not absorb water like ceramic pots, making them retain moisture for longer. This means they require less frequent watering than ceramic pots. Similar to ceramic pots, it's important to check the moisture levels regularly and water the soil evenly. Plastic pots, unlike ceramic pots, often come with drainage holes, which means they have great drainage. The excess moisture will just drain out of the bottom of the pot, which helps to prevent overwatering.
How to check soil moisture levels without a moisture meter
It's important to maintain the ideal level of moisture in the soil, as this will help your plants grow properly. However, not everyone has a moisture meter to measure the moisture levels in the soil. Luckily, there are other methods to check your soil moisture levels.
Use your fingers
The most straightforward way to check soil moisture is through observation. Look at the soil surface and feel it with your fingers. If the soil feels damp to the touch and water easily comes to the surface, then it is likely your soil is overly moist.
On the other hand, if the top layer of soil feels dry to the touch and powdery, it is a clear sign that your soil may be a little too dry.
Importance of the right water temperature
Watering plants might seem like an easy task, but using the right water temperature can make a big difference in their overall health.
Using water that is too cold or too hot can cause shock to your plants and damage their roots. This can lead to stunted growth, wilting, and even death. So, what is the appropriate temperature for watering plants?
The ideal water temperature for most plants is slightly warm, around room temperature 20 to 22 degrees Celsius (68 to 72 F). This temperature range makes sure that the water is not too cold, which can slow down plant growth, and not too hot, which can cause root damage and dehydration.
Better growth with the right temperature
But why is water temperature so important? Well, the temperature of the water you use can also affect how much nutrients and oxygen your plants can absorb. Cold water can slow down root growth and nutrient intake, while hot water can burn roots and dry out the plant. Slightly warm water helps plants absorb nutrients and oxygen more easily, which leads to healthier and more robust growth.
Using the right water temperature can also help regulate soil temperature and prevent fungal growth. When you use water that's too cold water, the soil can cool down and create an environment where fungal diseases can thrive.
Watering considerations for plants in low-light conditions
When it comes to taking care of plants in low-light conditions, it's important to pay extra attention to their watering needs. Since plants in low-light environments can't photosynthesize as easily, they also use less water.
It's also important to note that the type of soil you're using can impact your plant's watering needs. Soil that drains well is ideal, as it allows excess water to escape and makes sure that the roots are not sitting in water for too long.
When it comes to watering your low-light plants, it's generally best to allow the soil to dry out slightly between watering sessions. This makes sure that the roots can absorb water as needed, without being saturated. As a general rule of thumb, you can stick your finger into the soil to check if it feels dry. If so, it's time to water.
Overall, caring for plants in low-light environments takes a bit of extra attention compared to growing in bright (indirect) sunlight. If you regularly check the moisture of the soil, you'll generally be fine.
Changing you watering schedule to fit your plant's needs
As you may already know, different types of plants require different amounts of water because of their growth and dormancy cycles. Here are some important things to look at when finding out how often to water your plants:
- Soil moisture: Check the top inch of soil for dryness before watering. If it feels dry to the touch, it's time to water. If it's still damp, hold off for another day or two.
- Plant type: Some plants, like cacti and succulents, need less watering than others. Research your specific plant type to determine its water needs.
- Growth stage: During the growing season, plants will need more water than during their dormant period. As they grow and develop, they will need more moisture to support their growth.
- Environment: Factors like humidity, temperature, and sunlight can change how much water your plants need. If your environment is particularly hot or dry, you may need to water your plants more often.
Thank you for reading this post! I hope it helps you to keep your plants healthy and beautiful! If you're looking for more guides on specific plants, you can always request a plant guide to get a guide for the plant you have trouble with.
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