While MOST indoor plants need water
about once a week, it can vary depending on how old the plant’s root system is,
what kind of container/pot it is in, where the plant is placed in your home (and
how much sunlight/heat it gets), and also what variety of houseplant it is.
Plants placed in a window will get dry faster than those exposed to less direct
sunlight.
How do I know my plants need watering?
Check to see if the soil looks dry, then stick your finger into the soil just about an inch (or to the first joint of your finger) to see if the soil feels moist. While plants should become a little dry between watering, don’t let the plant wilt, that’s way too dry!
Don’t want to get dirt under your fingernails?
Use a moisture meter to check the moisture level of your plant. This handy gadget immediately tells you if your soil is dry, moist or wet. Click here to see how easy and simple it is to tell when your plants need watering.
How do I water my plants?
Use a long-spout watering can to reach all sides of your pot with ease (and to avoid spills). Saturate the soil around each plant with water and continue adding until it begins to run out the drainage hole on the bottom of the pot. Let the plant drain, then dump the excess water from the saucer.
Quick Tip: If the potting mix you use dries out too much, it won’t hold water properly, so the moisture immediately runs out the drainage hole and is not absorbed. If this happens, add the water slowly, giving the potting mix a chance to absorb the moisture.
Benefits of misting my plants?
Because so many houseplants originated from jungles and areas with moist air, they do best when the humidity level is between 30-40% humidity – enough to make your hair frizz! For plants that really need a little extra moisture, misting can be a great way to provide that extra water.
Using tepid (not hot, but not cold) water, mist your humidity-loving houseplants in the morning – so the leaves can dry out during the day. You’ll want to mist on the tops and undersides of the leaves, leaving a ‘dewy’ look to them when you’re done. Some plants can be misted daily, while others only need it once or twice a week. Make sure to research your new houseplant addition to find out what schedule applies to you!
Increasing Humidity for your plant.
MOST plants thrive in high humidity environments; however, most homes are usually VERY dry in comparison to the outside air.
Here’s the best way to combat this: Place a tray or saucer under your houseplants and fill it with pebbles. Then, add water until the water line is just below the top of the pebbles (not more than this, you don’t want to keep the plant’s ‘feet’ wet) As the water evaporates, it will increase the humidity level around the plant.
