Watering your plants properly is very important for their health and growth. You should pay special attention to watering: too little water can weaken them, while too much water can cause the roots to rot.
Here are 7 tips for good practices for watering your plants:
- Know the specific needs of each plant
Each plant has different water needs. Learn about your plants' needs in terms of frequency and quantity of water. Some plants prefer moist soils (ferns, Calathea, Alocasia, ...) while others thrive in drier soils (aloes, pothos, cacti, ...).
- Choose the right type of potting soil
In relation to the water needs of your plant, the choice of soil in which your plant will make its roots is very important. Cacti and succulents will like a sandy soil that dries quickly in one or two days. Araceae (monstera, philodendron, anthurium, etc.) will prefer an aerated soil that retains moderate moisture. Finally, other plants such as alocasias will flourish in a compact soil that will retain a lot of moisture.
- Monitor soil conditions
Before watering, always check the moisture of the soil by inserting a finger about an inch into the soil. If the soil feels dry at this depth and your finger comes out clean, it's time to water for most plants. You can also weigh your pot; if it feels light, it's often time to water!
- Water deeply
When watering, make sure to wet the top layer of soil as well as the roots. This encourages the roots to grow deeper, making them more drought-resistant. You can water either from above or from below by pouring the water into the saucer. In both cases, make sure the soil has had time to absorb all the water the plant needs.
- Avoid water stagnation
Make sure your pots have drainage holes. This will allow excess water to drain away and prevent water from pooling around the roots. Once watered properly, you can remove any excess water from the saucer or pot cover.
- Avoid overwatering, it is better to have soil that is too dry than too wet.
Don't fall into the trap of overwatering. Constantly soggy soil will cause mold problems and root rot. A plant with rotten roots will see its leaves turn yellow and its stems will become limp as if it lacks water. In fact, your plant will lack water, not because there is none in the soil, but because it will no longer have healthy roots to absorb it! So if you see that your plant seems thirsty but its soil is very wet, do not water it more! If you see that your roots are rotten (they are black and slimy), repotting will then be your best solution to save it. Don't forget to cut off the rotten roots before repotting it!
Even if it is not ideal, a dry plant that you forgot to water can easily be fixed with good watering, too much water is more difficult especially if the roots have rotted.
- Adapt your watering to the seasons
Plants generally need less water in the winter when the days are shorter and they go dormant. While they need more water in the summer when the weather is warm and they are actively growing.
By following these tips, you can water your plants efficiently and promote their health and growth. Regularly observing your plants will also help you know when they need water and care. Finally, mistakes happen to everyone, don't put too much pressure on yourself and follow your instincts.