How often do you water your indoor plants? Are you unsure when it is the best time to do so? If so, I have put all the information for you into this blog post.
Indoor plants should be watered in the morning so that they can dry out when the sun is high in the sky. If the soil is still wet, wait till the next day before watering again.
Read on to find out more about the best time to water your potted plants and how to spot and prevent overwatering!
Why should I water my indoor plants in the morning?
Watering indoor plants in the morning when they are dry is better than when it’s dark. This way, water doesn’t stay on leaves overnight where it can encourage fungal infections to occur. Also, when you do this at a time when there’s less sun exposure, the soil will take longer for moisture levels to drop too low.
You may have heard that when the sun is lower in the sky, warmer temperatures will evaporate water from the soil more quickly. This can be true to a certain degree with some plants but it’s really all about how often you need to water your potted plant and what type of pot they are planted in. Plastic or glazed pot will hold water for much longer than say, a terracotta one.
If you do water when it’s dark, make sure to only water the roots. Watering when it’s dark could cause leaf burn, which can lead to the spread of fungal disease and root rot so make sure you water in the morning when they’re dry!
It’s probably best not to be watering when temperatures are below freezing as this will damage your plant and can put them in shock. If they’re already starting to show signs of wilting, don’t worry, when you’re watering again the next morning, they’ll normally perk back up.
How much water does an indoor plant need per day?
This will depend on a variety of different factors including what type of pot they are in and whether or not the plant is growing. The best thing to do when you’re unsure about how much water your indoor plants need per day is to simply check them by digging your finger into their soil every few days. If it’s dry down at least an inch, it’s time to water.
For humidity-loving houseplants such as Ferns and English Ivy that like their roots wet but also enjoy dry air between drinks, it is time to water when the soil is dry by about one inch. These types of houseplants appreciate a humid atmosphere.
For plants that enjoy drier conditions, it’s time to water when two inches of soil have dried out completely. These types of houseplants are suited for dry air, so they need their roots kept in a well-drained potting mix and will not be happy when wet all the time.
Water-saving plants like succulents and tillandsia only need to be watered when the stems or leaves feel dry. These plants hold water in their leaves so should not be over-watered.
A good rule of thumb is to water not more than once a day when you’re watering houseplants. Not watering such often will encourage faster and stronger root growth, which will improve the overall strength and health of your plants.
For plants like Chinese evergreens that prefer cooler temperatures over warmer ones, simply misting their leaves with de-chlorinated water will help keep them moist when humidity is low.
How do you know if you are overwatering your indoor plants?
If you have been following the advice from above, when it comes to watering your indoor plants, overwatering your houseplants is something that can be easily prevented.
However, if they are already too wet for too long and their roots start rotting, you will notice when your indoor plants turn yellow and begin to drop leaves. If your plants become waterlogged, they will not be able to access nutrients from their roots and this can cause yellowing leaves as well as a decline in the overall health of the plant.
If you once overwatered your plants, it’s also worth checking the roots for white mold on them which is a sign that their potting mix has been sitting in water too long. This can cause damage or even kill the plant.
Another sign of overwatering is slow growth. When your indoor plant is not growing as fast as it should or stopped growing as fast as it once was and leaves are turning yellow you should water the plant less or maybe even change the soil to restart the growth completely.
Edema occurs when the leaves of your indoor plant swell up and feel like they are full to bursting point. This is caused by a build-up of too much moisture over time which damages their cellular structure so it’s important to let them dry out completely as well as changing their potting mix if they are sitting in moisture.
If your indoor plant has brown spots on its leaves when you water it, then this is caused by salts that have built up over time when the soil wasn’t allowed to dry out completely between watering sessions. This can cause these dead patches of cells which eventually turn crispy and brown when they die off.
Final thoughts
If you’re looking for ways to keep your indoor plants healthy, be sure to water them in the morning. This way they can dry out when it’s sunny outside and there won’t be any chance of fungal infections occurring on leaves that are wet overnight. To avoid over-watering, make sure not to wait until dark because this is when plant growth slows down and roots need less moisture.
The best thing to do when you’re unsure about how much water your indoor plants need per day is to simply check them by digging your finger into their soil every few days. If it’s dry down at least an inch, it’s time to water.
There are a number of tell-tale signs that you may be overwatering your indoor plants, and if this is the case, it’s time to make some changes. The easiest way to find out for sure is by checking on them periodically and assessing their overall health. They will start turning yellow as they become waterlogged and drop leaves when they can no longer access nutrients from their roots.
I hope this article has been helpful when it comes to when to water indoor plants and ! could provide you with some tips on keeping your houseplants healthy.
