It’s no secret that watering is one of the most important aspects of plant care. Although it might seem like a good idea to put your houseplants on some sort of watering schedule, it’s best for them that you only water when they actually need it. As you might imagine, water needs vary from plant to plant and season to season. (And surprisingly, the symptoms of both under- and overwatering are quite similar – including browning leaf tips and wilting.)
Avoid wetting the foliage of your African violet. The best way to water this potted beauty is to let water wick up from the bottom of the container.
Photo Credit: ©2002 Dolezal Publishing/John M. Rickard
Helpful watering aids include a slow-release water reservoir, a water-retaining polymer to mix with your plant soil, an electronic moisture meter (with a long probe) to measure how damp the soil is deep within the root ball, a mister for foliage and flowers, and a sturdy watering can equipped with a long extension nozzle to reach deep into the center of plants.
Photo Credit: ©2002 Dolezal Publishing/John M. Rickard
There are many ways to check if your plants need water. The “finger test” is practically infallible: Simply stick your finger into the soil up to the first finger joint. For most plants, damp soil means caution – you should wait to water until the soil feels dry. You can also try a moisture meter: a pronged instrument that’s stuck into the soil then indicates the amount of moisture present. Another method (although not foolproof) is the “pick up” test: Lightweight pots can be an indication that a plant needs watering. And of course, you can also look for plant signs: Oftentimes a plant will “flag” before wilting – leaves appear slightly limp and lose their sheen. (If this is the case, definitely check your plant’s moisture level before watering, as flagging and wilting are also signs of overwatering.)
The way you water your houseplants is just as important. Most plants do best when water is applied deep within the soil. For this reason, it’s sometimes best to dunk your plants in a sink or bucket filled with tepid water. (Cold water has been known to cause root damage and leaf spotting.) If you do dunk your plants like this, leave them in the water until all bubbling ceases.
Of course, not all plants are easily dunked. You’ll probably have to leave your large houseplants in place and water them from above. Keep watering until excess water flows out of the bottom of the pot and collects in the cachepot or basin, as this ensures that the entire root ball has been moistened. Thorough watering, regardless of method, leaches salts from the soil. After a half-hour, check for standing water in the saucer or cachepot and remove any excess – leaving plants sitting in water can promote fungal disease.
Now, some plants – like fuzzy-leaved varieties like African violet and the pickaback plant (Tolmiea menziesii) – should be watered from below, or via a wicking system. Water splashed onto the leaves of these types of plants will mar them and quickly lead to rot. Watering from below is also a good procedure for any plant that is susceptible to crown rot.
To water from below, fill a saucer or other drainless pot with tepid water and place the plant inside. The water will be drawn up by osmosis – wicking – into the dry soil. (Cachepots are perfect for this purpose.) After watering, remember to empty the outer pot so that the bottom of the growing container avoids contact with standing water.
Should a serious lapse in houseplant watering occur, take immediate steps to deep-water your plant, especially if the soil has dried out substantially. Submerge the plant in tepid water and give it a good soaking. It’s also a good idea to deep-water your plants at least once a month to remove mineral salts. Just follow these easy steps shown in the next pictures and described in their captions. And remember: Proper watering – including frequency and quantity – is important to every houseplant’s health. Understanding the individual watering needs of each plant you grow will get you one step closer to that indoor green thumb!
Deep Watering Houseplants
Deep Watering - Step 1
About once a month, or whenever potting soil shows signs of mineral deposits, move your houseplants to a deep sink or to an outdoor basin in a shady spot sheltered from drying winds and direct sunlight.
Photo Credit: ©2002 Dolezal Publishing/John M. Rickard
Deep Watering - Step 2
Fill the sink or basin with tepid water up to the rim of the plant’s container or just slightly above it.
Photo Credit: ©2002 Dolezal Publishing/John M. Rickard
Deep Watering - Step 3
Allow the plant to remain submerged in the water for about 5 minutes, after all of the air bubbles have been released.
Photo Credit: ©2002 Dolezal Publishing/John M. Rickard
Deep Watering - Step 4
Remove your houseplant from the water and allow it to completely drain. If visible salt deposits remain, repeat the process a second time.
Photo Credit: ©2002 Dolezal Publishing/John M. Rickard
