It’s difficult to keep track of when to water houseplants. The method by which you should water indoor plants is determined by a number of factors. Certain house plants need to be watered frequently. Nonetheless, when the soil gets partly dry out, most potted plants prefer watering less often. There are a number of variables that influence how often to water plants at home, such as pot size, potting mix type, temperature, and plant species.
How often to water houseplants: Plant watering should occur every one to three weeks for most indoor plants. Soil is moist, but not soggy, most of the time with water houseplants. Instead of watering plants on a regular basis, check the moisture in the soil on a regular basis to determine if the plant requires it.
Heat, soil, light, humidity, and season all influence how often you water. If you want to learn more about how to water plants indoors, read on in this article. You’ll also find out when to water different kinds of plants.
When To Water Indoor Plants
Press the soil and if it’s dry, water your plant thoroughly to determine when to water your houseplant. Wait a few days before checking again if the potting mix is wet. Only when the top 1″ (2.5 cm) of the potting soil is dry should you water the plant. Check your houseplants to see if they need water once a week. Withering leaves, brown leaf tips, and slow development are all indicators that houseplants need extensive watering.
Watering frequently and thoroughly is preferable than watering water plants often and lightly. Roots get enough moisture and nourishment when there is sufficient watering every week or less frequently. Don’t let houseplants sit in water and allow all water to drain from the pot before watering. Houseplants don’t need much water in the winter.
How to Know When Indoor Plants Need Watering
Now, let’s examine how to tell if indoor plants need water:
Type of plant affects watering needs
Watered requirements vary depending on the type of plant. Ferns, for example, prefer moist, wet soil and humid conditions and may need to be watered regularly. Some indoor plants, like aspidistras, require moist potting soil that is mostly dry between waterings. They only need watering when the top 1” (2.5 cm) of the potting soil is dry. Always water the plant according to its watering requirements. watering a number of houseplants at the same time is probably not a good idea.
Soil moisture content tells when to water house plants
Testing soil moisture levels is the best way to determine if a plant needs water. Test the moisture in the medium by poking your finger in it. Watering is only required when the top 1 in. to 2 in. (2.5 cm) of the potting mix is dry for most houseplants. Soil at the roots will never become waterlogged if you wait until the potting medium is mostly dry.
At the drainage holes, you should also check the soil. It is important to keep the medium moist. It is definitely time to give your plant deep watering if the soil at the bottom of the pot is dry. The potted plant is rootbound if its roots are protruding through the drainage holes. A rootbound plant doesn’t drain well and holds too much moisture in the soil. As a result, either water the plant slowly or repot it.
The weight of the pot can indicate when to water the plant
You’ll begin to recognize when plants need a drink by the weight of the pot as you become more acclimated to caring for many houseplants. Moisture, as opposed to dryness, is more weighty in soil. Water plants when the pots feel lighter than usual, unless you have succulents or cacti, which need very little watering. When it’s the right time to water plants, you’ll be able to tell by picking them up after experience.
Use a moisture meter to know how often to water plants
If you have fussy indoor plants that are picky about soil moisture, a moisture meter is an excellent option. Knowing when to water plants is made easier with moisture meters. These gadgets are inexpensive and may help you choose between healthy houseplants and those that succumb to root rot.
Knowing when to water plants throughout the year may also be aided by using a moisture meter. In the summer than during winter, houseplants need watering more often. As a result, it’s recommended to water just enough for your plant to survive indoors with a meter that measures soil moisture.
Look for signs that houseplants require watering
That your houseplants need watering is usually evident signs. An underwatered plant will exhibit drooping leaves, dead leaf tips, and sluggish growth. Let’s take a closer look at the signs your indoor plant is thirsty:
- Drooping leaves—Because dry soil and wilting leaves indicate that your plant requires water, check the moisture in the soil. Drooping leaves could indicate too much moisture or illness if the potting medium is wet or damp.
- Dead leaf tips—Brown, crispy leaf tips develop on plants that don’t get enough water. thoroughly water the soil if it is excessively dry and the leaves are starting to brown.
- Slow growth—It may be difficult for your plant to grow quickly if you are watering it but not often enough. New leaves are usually tiny. Weekly checks on soil dryness and deep watering for your plant.
How Often to Water Houseplants
watering your plants at the proper intervals is critical for their survival. More than just air temperature or bright light determines when to water plants. Let’s examine the various elements that influence when indoor plants need watering.
Type of pot affects the watering frequency
The type of container in which your plant grows is the first thing to pay attention to. The frequency with which you need to water your soil is affected by the speed at which it becomes dry. Succulents, for example, thrive in terracotta pots when they need less watering.
Glazed, ceramic, or plastic pots are ideal for most houseplants that need frequent watering and partly dry soil. What kinds of pots are best for houseplants? The following are some suggested container types:
- Terracotta pots—Moisture evaporates quicker in these porous pots. Succulents, snake plants, aloe vera, and cactus are all great choices. In warm weather, certain terracotta potsplants need watering more often than unglazed clay pots.
- Ceramic pots—Ceramic containers help to maintain consistent moisture levels in the soil. In the summer, compared to terracotta pots, the potting mixture does not dry as quickly.
- Plastic pots—Plastic containers, like ceramic pots, are useful for retaining the soil wet for longer. As a result, watering is less frequent throughout the year.
You should repot a new plant and mix a fresh potting soil whenever you buy one. The plant becomes rootbound because the pots are usually too small. Checking for signs of illness and fungus gnats is also possible when repotting. Regardless of what kind of container you employ, it must have drainage holes when choosing the right houseplant pot. Excess water is able to drain away via the holes on the bottom, preventing potting soil from becoming moist.
Size of pot
To ensure that you are watering your plant correctly, the size of the growing container should match the size and type of plant. You’ll have issues with moisture, houseplant mold, and rotting roots if the pot is too big. The soil will dry out quicker if the container is too small because it cannot hold enough moisture.
If your plant requires fast-draining soil, choose a smaller pot as a rule of thumb. Pick a bigger container if an indoor plant requires partly wet soil.
Type of potting soil determines plant watering schedule
It’s as important to water your potted plants properly as it is to use the correct sort of potting media. To avoid the medium from becoming waterlogged or soggy, potting soil must be well-drained. The potting mixture should allow water to flow fairly easily.
You can add some ingredients to make the best potting soil to enhance drainage in houseplant soil. Coarse sand, perlite, vermiculite, and orchid substrate may all be added. These items assist with aeration and drainage, allowing excess moisture to escape. Peat moss, which is excellent at holding just the right quantity of moisture, may also be added.
Size of plant
How often you should water indoor plants is greatly influenced by the size of the plant. More water is required by a big Swiss cheese plant than by a little polka dot plant, for example. Yet, the growth rate of the plant determines how often it is watered. watering a big, mature plant more seldom than a little, rapid-growth plant would be required.
Roots of several epiphytic plants, including orchids, ferns, and bromeliads, absorb moisture and nutrients from the air. As a result, how often you need to water them might be affected by this fact.
Water plants more often in warm temperatures
In hot conditions, most living creatures, including plants, release more moisture. In the summer, moisture from plants and potting soil evaporates much more quickly than in the winter. As a result, in the summertime, houseplants need to be watered frequently (weekly or even more often).
When you need to water plants, the quantity of sunlight that shines through your window may play a role. A plant that is situated in a south-facing location, for example, may need watering more often than one situated in a north-facing location.
Humidity and watering frequency
Another factor that impacts plant and soil evaporation rates is humidity. High humidity is required by certain tropical houseplants, including calatheas, monsteras, and ferns. Yet, each of these plant kinds requires a distinct amount of water. During the winter, it’s difficult to keep your plants watered correctly. Heating and closed windows tend to dry out the air in your home.
Houseplants, on the other hand, have limited development and so need less care. Check the soil’s dryness before deciding to water or not. In the winter, most homeplants don’t need much water. Many tropical plants, though, need weekly misting throughout the winter.
Seasons affect how often to water houseplants
You should water plants according to the season, as previously indicated. Most plants flourish in the spring and summer. However, in the autumn and winter, the majority of houseplants go into dormancy. Water plants should be fed every three to four weeks throughout the spring and summer.
Watering less often in the autumn is a good idea. Then, in the winter, water only when the top 1″ of soil is completely dry.
Air Circulation
Lack of airflow is one of the challenges when caring for indoor house plants. Leaf transpiration is hampered by stagnant air, while soil evaporation is limited. The soil requires less watering if it stays wet for too long. Nonetheless, root disease or fungal problems are more likely to occur in the plant.
Make sure that all sorts of plants inside thrive by ensuring there is adequate air flow. Keep windows open in the summer, but make sure there isn’t a draft. If air circulation and ventilation are a issue in the winter, employing an oscillating fan to keep air moving gently around your prized indoor plants may help.
How Long Can Indoor Plants Survive Without Water
Watering houseplants too often is a common mistake. For two weeks, most houseplants can manage without water. They won’t sustain any long-term harm as long as you return to a normal watering schedule.
Pick a few drought-tolerant kinds of plants if you tend to forget to water them on a regular basis. ZZ plants, sansevieria (snake plants), spider plants, and orchids are all examples of plant species that can survive without water for weeks. Some of these plants are good low-light plants for gloomy rooms as well.
Watering requirements are very important for certain house plants. Nervelike plants, for example, need wet soil all of the time. The tropical potted plants will die if you leave the soil to dry out or water them insufficiently.
Best Water for Houseplants
The type of water and temperature are both important care factors, not just watering houseplants consistently enough.
The best type of water for houseplant care
Houseplants do not appreciate water that comes straight from the tap. Harmful chemicals, such as chlorine, may build up in the potting soil if you use tap water. These chemicals may harm your houseplant and have an impact on plant development over time. Rainwater or filtered faucet water are both acceptable for house plants. You can also allow the chemicals to evaporate by leaving a water container out for 24 hours.
Temperature
Plant roots, especially those of sensitive plants, may be shocked by cold water. Leaving water out for 24 hours or even just overnight allows it to reach acceptable room temperature for watering all of your lovely plants.
Best Ways to Water Indoor Plants
Indoor potted plants need deep or thorough root watering. Watering houseplants shallowly and often is a common mistake made by plant owners. Watering less often and deeply, on the other hand, is preferable. Moisture is able to reach the roots and prevent soil mold when this sort of regular plant watering is used.
Pour water into the pot until it flows out of the bottom holes to thoroughly wet houseplants. Wait until the last drops have dripped out before you wipe. Return your houseplant to its saucer or tray after putting it back on the shelf.
Several plants, such as cactus, succulents, and African violets, prefer to absorb water through the drainage holes in their pots. To water these plants, pour water into the saucer of the container. Before adding more water, wait until all of the water has been absorbed. Continue watering until the plant has taken in all of the water. Empty the water from the saucer.
How to Tell if You’re Overwatering Your Houseplants
One of the most common reasons for houseplants to die is watering them too much. Indoor plants prefer dryer soil over soggy soil in general. Withering and wet leaves, yellow leaves, brown leaves, and root rot are all symptoms of an overgrown plant. The following are indications that your houseplant is watered too much:
- Wilting and wet—If your plant’s leaves are drooping and the earth is wet, this is one indication of overwatering. Only water the soil when it is partially dry, even if it takes two to three weeks. This is to avoid further damage.
- Yellow leaves—Yellowing leaves are a classic sign of watering plants.
- Brown leaves—Don’t assume that if you see brown leaves, your plant must be watered. Leaves will turn brown and die if the soil is soggy. The whole plant will die if you don’t stop watering.
- Root rot—The roots of the plant rot when it is watered excessively. When repotting plants, you may detect root rot. Your plant will wilt and die if you have brown, gray, or slimy roots.
Examples of Some Plants and How Often to Water Them
Let’s take a look at how to water some popular and unusual houseplants:
Succulents and cacti
Cacti and succulents can go weeks without water if they don’t get it. These plants have drought-tolerant leaves that can hold a lot of water. When the soil has completely dried out, water is only available.
Indoor palms
Check the soil every two to three days for dryness if you’re growing indoors varieties of palm. High water and humidity requirements apply to palm trees indoors.
Broad-leafed houseplants
Water is only required for household plants such as golden pothos, hoyas, peperomias, begonias, ivies, and ficus when the top 1″ of soil has dried completely. Weekly check your plants’ soil and give them enough water if necessary.
Some plants hardly ever need watering
Plants that need little water are found in abundance. Snake plants, mother of thousands palms, orchid varieties, and ZZ plants are some of the sorts of plants that you simply need to water gently.