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How often to water indoor plants


How to Water and Feed Houseplants - Advice

Houseplants have many benefits but its important to know how to water and feed them so they live a long and happy life in your home. Not only do they look stylish and attractive, they also are great for purifying the air in the home as well as having a positive effect on mental well being. Find out more on how to water and feed your houseplants.

Watering

Even though watering seems like a simple task, this is where a lot of people can go wrong when caring for houseplants, by either over-watering or leaving them to become dehydrated. In general, houseplants’ potting soil should be kept moist, but not wet. They normally need watering once or twice a week in the spring and summer, but less in the autumn and winter. However, depending on the type of houseplant, this is not always the case.

Below are the houseplants which require special care when it comes to watering.

Knowing when to water can be made simpler with the Westland Watering Indicator. You can use this watering stick all year round and it is really easy to use. Simply, push the stick into the compost in the pot. This indicator will then tell you when the plant needs more water by changing colour to red. The indicator will be blue when no water needs adding. Once you have watered the plant the indicator should change colour from red to blue within 2 hours.

The type of water that is used on houseplants is also very important. This is because a lot of the plants are sensitive to chemicals and salts that can be found in tap water. Therefore, it is best to water your plants with rain water.

Kent & Stowe Indoor Watering Cans are great for watering houseplants with their long stem spout for easy, targeted watering. They are available in a variety of stylish colours too so will look beautiful placed on a shelf.

 

Feeding

Feeding houseplants during their growing period is vital to encourage lush and healthy growth. Houseplants should only be fed when they are actively growing and not when they are resting.

In general, the majority of houseplants should be fed every second watering during the growing season (spring and summer), which is probably every 10 to 14 days. In autumn and winter feed every fourth watering as houseplants will require fewer nutrients.

A good way to feed houseplants is with a liquid concentrate feed. These are a great way of feeding and watering your plant at the same time. However, they are only successful if the mixture isn’t made too strong or too weak. Westland Houseplant Feed is a great plant food for houseplants as it is enriched with the essential nutrients. It also has an easy measure doser which means all you have to do is squeeze the bottle to fill the dosing chamber. The doser will remove any excess plant food, leaving a 5ml dose which you just add to 1 litre of water. This means you get the right strength of mixture to feed your plants.

Below is a list of specialist feeds for particular types of houseplants which contain the right amount of nutrients that these specific plants need to thrive.

Following this guidance on feeding and watering makes caring for houseplants simple and easy. It means your home will be full of life with all the stunning plants.

Related articles

How Often Should You Water Houseplants?

Watering houseplants can be a difficult thing to master. I used to try to water my houseplants on a schedule, but this never seemed to work out too well. Thankfully, I’ve learned some great tips that have transformed the health of my houseplants. Read this article to learn exactly how often you should water your houseplants.

How often should you water houseplants? Most houseplants need watered every 1-3 weeks. You should monitor your houseplants and water when they need it, rather than on a schedule. Frequency of watering will depend on the size and type of plant, size and type of pot, temperature, humidity and rate of growth.

Read on and I’ll give you the knowledge you need to always get it right when watering your houseplants. There are some really easy ways to tell when your houseplants need watered, and once you have this knowledge, it’s hard to go wrong

How To Know When To Water Houseplants


How To Water Houseplants

Here is a video I made that covers how I water my houseplants to keep them thriving. I also discuss 9 common watering mistakes and how to avoid them.

8 Factors That Impact How Often You Should Water Houseplants


In addition to the type of plants you are growing there are a whole range of factors that dramatically impact the frequency that you will have to water your plants. Variation of these factors is why you should never water on a schedule.

Size Of Plant

Larger plants need more water than smaller ones. With more vegetation, larger plants absorb more through their roots, use more for respiration and lose more through transpiration.

Having said that, younger plants, which are growing vigorously can sometimes have higher water requirements than larger plants that are not actively growing.

Temperature


Higher indoor temperatures will increase evaporation and the metabolic rate of your plants, meaning they will dry out faster. There may be considerable variation in the temperature of your house from summer to winter and from one room to the next.

Rooms that get a lot of sun during the day can be considerably warmer, greatly affecting the watering requirements of your plants.

Humidity

The humidity of the growing conditions will have a big impact on the rate of evaporation of water from the soil and the rate of transpiration from the leaves.

Our homes tend to have lower humidity levels in the winter when windows are shut and the heating is on. Bear this in mind when thinking whether your plant needs watered or not.

Type Of Pot


Porous materials such as terracotta lose water much faster than plastic pots, which prevent any water getting through the sides of the pot. Try to choose pot type based on the type of plants you are growing. Plants that prefer arid conditions and well-draining potting mix will do better in clay pots.

Size Of Pot


I once made the mistake of potting a succulent and cactus arrangement in a large pot with far too much potting mix. Even though the potting mix was well draining, the quantity of soil in the large planter took forever to dry out and my cacti were not impressed.

Pick a pot size suited to the plant. Choose smaller pots for plants that like potting media to dry out rapidly. Choose larger pots for plants that like evenly moist conditions.

Type Of Potting Mix


Potting soil with higher amounts of organic material or small, tightly packed particles will hold onto water more readily. Adding sand, perlite or vermiculite will improve drainage.

You can often get premade potting soil tailored to your plant, but it’s easier and cheaper to make your own and you can tailor it exactly to the needs of your plants.

Ventilation


Moving air will increase evaporation and therefore increase the water requirements of your plants. Moderate ventilation is a great thing for plants, as it can reduce the risk of disease, but it will increase water requirements.

Time Of Year


The time of year will play a significant role in how often you should water your houseplants. Many houseplants grow much more slowly or are dormant in winter, which will dramatically reduce their water requirements.

In addition, less sun, ventilation and cooler temperatures in winter can make a massive difference to water requirements. Your watering habits will need to adjust if you want to keep your plants thriving.

How Long Can Indoor Plants Go Without Water?


Most people have a tendency to water their houseplants too frequently, myself included. Most houseplants can survive quite happily for up to two weeks in most indoor conditions without being watered. They may not survive this neglect on a regular basis, but if you are away for two weeks, most of your plants will do OK.

There are some houseplants that are very fussy about their water requirements, such as calatheas and nerve plants, so if you think you might struggle to water your houseplants regularly, it is best to pick more drought tolerant plants.

Some plants can even go much longer than two weeks without water. Certain types of succulents, including many cacti can easily manage more than a month and often much longer without water while still remaining healthy.

Having said this, if your goal is to keep your plants in perfect health, I usually recommend some supplemental watering with an indoor plant watering system if you are going to be away for longer than one week.

Self-watering pots, capillary mats, watering spikes or watering globes are all good options to keep your plants hydrated while you are away. Read more about watering houseplants while you are on vacation in this article.

How Often Should You Water Houseplants? – Some Examples


Succulents are a large group of plants from multiple species, with adaptations to store water and prevent water loss. As a general rule, let the potting media dry out fully before watering succulents, especially cacti.

Peace Lily’s prefer their soil to dry out fairly well before watering. Ensure that the potting soil is almost dry before watering thoroughly. Peace Lily’s will wilt once the potting soil is fully dry. Try to water just before this happens.

Overwatering is the most common reason why people struggle to care for Phalaenopsis Orchids. Wait till the potting media is dry and the roots are silvery white, then water thoroughly.

The leaves will become wrinkly and droop when they are dehydrated. Try to avoid this from happening as it can significantly impact the health of your orchid.

Nerve Plants require continually moist potting soil. Water regularly once the top of the soil has dried out. They are also prone to root rot due to overwatering. Try to ensure the soil is just lightly moist, not saturated, before watering again.

Water Rubber Plants once the top inch of soil is dry. Typically, I water my rubber plants about once per week during the growing season and once every 10-14 days during the winter. As mentioned above, assess your own plant rather than sticking to a schedule.

Kentia Palms are moderately drought tolerant and tend to suffer more with overwatering than underwatering. Water them thoroughly once the top three inches of soil is dry.

Water Wandering Jew Plants once the top inch of potting soil is dry. This is another plant which does better when you err on the side of caution with watering, as it is prone to root rot when overwatered.

Prayer Plants can be more tricky to keep in top condition due to their particular water requirements. They need a well draining potting medium and the soil should be kept constantly moist, but not soggy. The top of the soil should feel lightly damp at all times. Watering regularly until a little water drains out the bottom of the pot is perfect.

Unlike many other plants, Guzmanias are watered by pouring water into the central rosette, rather than adding water to the soil. Guzmanias are epiphytic and primarily use their roots to anchor them in place rather than for absorbing water and nutrients. Fill the central rosette several times per week to ensure it has sufficient water to thrive.

Calathea ornata requires constant moisture, so regular watering is required. Try to maintain lightly moist soil by watering a moderate amount as soon as the surface of the soil starts to dry out.

Water Weeping Figs on a regular basis to keep the soil lightly moist. Weeping figs are quite sensitive to impurities in the water, so using filtered water or rainwater is a good way of preventing problems. Weeping figs are prone to leaf drop for multiple reasons, so the plant will soon let you know if you’re not watering it right.

Indoor orange trees have high water requirements, and as long as they are planted in well-draining soil in a pot with plenty of drainage, then it is hard to go wrong. Water thoroughly on a regular basis, maintaining moist soil, and tailor frequency to the needs of your individual plant.

Water thoroughly once the top inch of soil is dry. Calathea crocata can be very sensitive about the type of water used, so using rainwater or distilled water is a good idea.

Water infrequently but thoroughly once the top few inches of the soil is dry. Anthuriums tolerate infrequent watering very well, but they really suffer if overwatered.

A really popular winter flowering succulent that can brighten up your home with winter and springtime blooms that last for months. Being a succulent, avoid overwatering. Water Flaming Katys thoroughly once the top half of the soil is dry.

Arrowhead plants are fairly drought tolerant and should be watered thoroughly only once the top 1-2 inches of soil is dry. Dormancy in the winter will very significantly reduce its water requirements.

There are hundreds of species of Peperomia with dramatically different appearances, making them really popular with houseplant lovers. Most have succulent characteristics, so it is best to wait until the top two inches of soil is dry, before watering thoroughly. They are fairly drought tolerant, so can cope with a little neglect.

If you want to read more about caring for any of the plants mentioned above, simply click on the links as I have covered each in an in depth care guide.

If you’d like to learn more about caring for houseplants and growing indoors, see here for my most recent articles. If you need a little help looking after your plants, I’ve also put together some resources. My recommended resources section has loads of information, books and suggested tools that can help you grow amazing indoor plants.

How often should indoor flowers be watered - a schedule for the whole year

The frequency and nature of watering indoor flowers largely determines how quickly they will grow, how luxuriantly they bloom, as well as their degree of susceptibility to certain diseases. Another "fad" is the dependence of the volume of irrigation on the season.

It is unlikely that the information that watering domestic plants in the warm season is fundamentally different from watering in winter can be called a secret. However, in order to provide their flowers with the liquid they need, more specific information is required. nine0003

How often to water houseplants in spring

Spring is traditionally considered a good time to transplant houseplants. And since this is also the time of the beginning of the growing season, growing and developing flowers simply need a sufficient amount of liquid.

It is difficult to name a specific time interval that must be maintained between waterings. In the spring, during the period of growth and development, the optimal frequency of watering ranges from 3-7 days, depending on the air temperature outside the window and in the room with flowers, the presence of heating, the degree of air humidity and its circulation. nine0003

The main sign that your plants are not getting enough water is dry soil that is easy to pierce with a wooden stick. If the stick easily went a few centimeters deep and after removing it you found that it was dry, the plant can be safely watered. But such a check must be performed very carefully so as not to damage the root of the plant.

Watering the plants once or twice a month is combined with root feeding. Manufacturers of mineral fertilizers recommend dissolving them in water and applying them under the root once every two weeks in the warm season. At the same time, top dressing should alternate with treatment for diseases and pests, which is also carried out every two weeks, and it can be both root and foliar. For better growth in the spring, all plants, including domestic ones, require fertilizing with nitrogen fertilizers, and from folk remedies - thick infusions of eggshells or onion peels. nine0003

And a little about spraying. This is also a kind of watering, however, some flowers (especially during the flowering period) suffer from liquid getting on the leaves (plants of the Solanaceae family, in particular, petunia), and especially from stagnation of water in their axils. In this case, it is necessary to spray not the plants themselves, but the air within a radius of several meters from them.

The frequency of spraying indoor plants with water without the addition of other agents is also directly related to the humidity of the air in the room. If the heating has not yet been turned off, and it is already warm outside, then you need to spray indoor plants at least twice a week and water the same number of times. This is especially important if your flowers are on the windowsill, under which there is a heater. If the situation is diametrically opposite, then watering and spraying of plants should be increased very carefully, focusing on the condition of the soil (dry or wet) and leaves (if they start to drop, it is definitely time to water the plant). nine0003

As soon as the average daily air temperature outside the window rises to 10-15°C, some flowers can be safely taken out to the balcony (provided that it is glazed). These, in particular, include Benjamin's ficus, aspidistra, boxwood, crassula, aloe, kalanchoe, begonia, primrose, hydrangea, hibiscus, monstera and azalea.

Plants that are afraid of cold air and drafts (orchid, spathiphyllum, anthurium) are best left in the room even in summer, but they will have to be sprayed additionally. Temporary balcony pets before the sun begins to shine brightly, it is enough to water and spray once a week. nine0003

How often to water houseplants in summer

In this case, it is also important where your plants are located. If this is any window in the apartment, except for the south one, and the heating, of course, has already been turned off, then the interval of one week between waterings is preserved, but you can spray the flowers more often. Balcony pets are a different story. They, like the plants on the south window, firstly, need to be protected from direct sunlight by shading with tall sun-loving plants (ficuses, croton, dieffenbachia, some types of palm trees), and secondly, periodically check the soil moisture and water accordingly. (about 2-3 times a week). But you can spray flowers on the balcony in hot weather at least every day, but do it only in the early morning or in the evening, when the sun is not very active. Recall that plants during their flowering should not be sprayed on the leaves: there is a risk that the buds will curl up and fall off. nine0003

By the way, indoor flower enthusiasts claim that plants that love the sun generally have dense, thick leaves.

In order not to make a mistake with watering, it is better to plant the plants in pots with drainage holes and trays, where to pour water. In this case, the flower will drink as much water as it needs, and all the excess will remain in the pan.

Fertilizing flowers should be continued in the spring mode, but to improve the effect, carefully study the instructions attached to a particular fertilizer complex. As for the treatment with pesticides, one or two such events over the summer will be quite enough for the plants, plus two or three treatments with green soap. nine0003

How often to water houseplants in autumn

There is a fairly well-known rule that from May to September house flowers are watered much more abundantly than in the rest of the year. This means that in autumn, watering and spraying of plants is gradually reduced, focusing on the temperature and humidity of the air, as well as the condition of the soil.

There are other ways to determine soil moisture. For example, you can take a small handful of earth and knead it in your hands. If it breaks up into small particles, then the soil is dry, and it's time to water the plant. Another way is to tap on the bottom of the pot. If the soil is dry, the sound will be louder than when tapping on a pot of wet earth. You can also check the soil with a moisture indicator, which, however, in the presence of a large amount of mineral salts in the ground, can be mistaken. nine0003

Houseplants kept in ceramic pots need much more moisture than other flowers.

If in spring plants need nitrogen supplements for growth, then in the second half of summer and early autumn they need phosphorus-potassium fertilizers - to strengthen the root system, resistance to temperature changes and various diseases. Therefore, combine watering with top dressing, focusing on the instructions for a particular fertilizer.

How often to water houseplants in winter

Some flower growers say that in winter the plants can hardly be watered or fed. This is fundamentally wrong, because even in the cold season, your pets can get sick, be attacked by pests, or even die from lack of moisture. There are those who prefer to bloom in winter (phalaenopsis, spathiphyllum, hippeastrum, schlumbergera), which means that the period of active vegetation falls precisely at this time, or does not stop at all. For this reason, care for such a plant should correspond exclusively to the period of its growth or rest. nine0003

All other plants should be watered inactively as the soil dries. It is not recommended to use self-watering systems, as well as moisten the plants through pallets, as in the warm season: this winter can contribute to the appearance of mold on the ground and the occurrence of diseases in the plant. Top dressing of plants, as well as their treatment against pests, is carried out no more than once a month and a half.

Do you have mandatory rules for watering indoor plants throughout the year, and what tricks do you know about this? nine0003

How often should houseplants be watered? – FloweryVale.ru

Each houseplant has its own watering preferences. Some indoor plants need almost daily watering, others can easily go without watering for 2-3 weeks. It is important to know that in summer and winter, the watering needs of the same plant change, because plants have a dormant period and a growing period.

In addition, the need for watering depends directly on factors such as humidity and air temperature in the room, lighting, soil mixture. Irregular or too abundant watering can provoke yellowing of the leaves, green leaf fall, bud drop in plants that are about to bloom. There are approximate intervals in watering houseplants. nine0003

Daily watering

Watering during the autumn-winter period - from October to February

Perhaps, none of the existing indoor plants needs such intensive watering during this period, except for azaleas, or indoor rhododendrons, and then, if the air temperature in the room is +20 °C. At higher temperatures, azaleas are unlikely to bloom.

Watering in the spring-summer period - from March to September, provided that the air temperature in the room is +24 ° C and above:

Almost all ornamental foliage: dracaena, zamiokulkas, codiaum, dieffenbachia, calathea, arrowroot, chlorophytum, ficus and others, flowering houseplants, all types of ferns, plants with thin stems and leaves, as well as carnivorous plants such as nepenthes, venus flytrap, darlingtonia california, cypress Elwoodi.

Water every 2 - 3 days

Watering in the autumn-winter period - from October to February, if the air temperature in the room is +20°С and above:

Cineraria, tolmea, dracaena, primula, begonia, cyclamen, selaginella, nertera, capsicum, fittonia, nightshade, dieffenbachia, Elwoodi cypress.

Watering in the spring and summer - from March to September, provided that the air temperature in the room is + 24 ° C and above:

Cineraria, primrose, begonia, cyclamen, selaginella, ficus binnendika, fittonia, tolmea, fuchsia, capsicum, nightshade, all flowering houseplants. The exceptions are orchids, cacti and bromeliads, succulents, cyperus papyrus, as well as indoor plants with velvety leaves and stems, such as senpollia, gloxinia. nine0003

Watering 1 - 2 times a week

Watering in the autumn-winter period - from October to February, if the air temperature in the room is from +18° to +20°С:

All flowering and ornamental foliage plants, including calathea, arrowroot, poinsettia, orchid, virtually all types of ferns, spathiphyllum, and carnivorous houseplants.

Spring-summer watering - from March to September, if the air temperature in the room is from +18° to +20°C:

Indoor plants with herbaceous, soft and flexible stems: tradescantia, ginura, fittonia, pilea, peperomia, columnea, crossandra, diplatia, medinilla, plants of the bromeliad family, indoor carnivorous plants.

Water once a week

Watering in the autumn-winter period - from October to February, if the air temperature in the room is +15° to +18°C:

Most ornamental leafy houseplants and herbaceous plants with ornamental flowers, plants of the bromeliad family, fuchsia, anthurium, banana, begonia with ornamental leaves. nine0003

Spring-summer watering - from March to September, if the air temperature in the room does not exceed +20°C:

Almost all ornamental leafy houseplants such as asparagus, ornamental leafy begonia, pachistachis, cissus, akalifa, cymbidium, hibiscus, syngonium, ivy, alocasia.

Water once every 7 - 10 days

Watering in the autumn-winter period - from October to February, if the air temperature in the room is from +12° to +15°С:

All mediterranean and citrus plants, ivy, cissus, syngonium, chlorophytum, asparagus, polyscias and dormant flowering poinsettia.

Spring-summer watering - from March to September, if the ambient temperature is below +20°C:

All kinds of palms, shefflera, ficus, philodendron, lotus, aspidistra, dieffenbachia, dracaena, cordilina, bocarnea, pachira, yucca, kalanchoe, clivia.

Water once every 10 - 15 days

Watering in the autumn-winter period - from October to February, if the temperature of the plant content is from +8 ° to +12 ° С:

All Mediterranean and citrus houseplants, all types of palms, sheffler, ficus, philodendron, lotus, aspidistra, codiaum, dracaena, cordilina.

Spring-summer watering - from March to September, if the air temperature in the room does not exceed +22 °C:

Practically all cacti, succulents, spurges, aloe agave, crassula, stonecrop, sansevieria, aeonium, ceropegia, echeveria, hoya, jatropha, pachypodium.

Water once every 15 - 20 days

Such rare watering can only be in the autumn-winter period - from October to February, provided that the temperature of the content is not higher than +12 ° C for such indoor plants as:

All cacti, succulents, indoor bulb plants in the period of vegetative dormancy, bocarney, zamioculcas, sansevieria, pelargonium, fuchsia. nine0003

The only exceptions are bulbs, corms, tubers of already faded plants in a state of vegetative dormancy, they are not watered at all.

Water once every 20 - 30 days

Such a rare watering can only be in the autumn-winter period - from October to February, if the temperature of the content is from +5 ° to +8 ° С.

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