How to Water Indoor Plants: Essential Tips for Healthy Growth

Knowing how to water your indoor plants is an essential part of their care. Water plays a key part in the growth of your houseplants. Watering your houseplants in the correct way will help promote strong, healthy plants. It can also help to prevent any pests or diseases.

It may seem obvious. But one of the most important factors when learning how to water your house plants is knowing when to water your houseplants. Many of the issues plant parents have with their plants is caused by overwatering or underwatering. The cause of this is often not understanding the needs of your plant!

The best time of day to water your indoor plants is in the morning. Plants need light to grow and so watering in the morning means your plants have the day to absorb the water it needs when it needs it the most. This helps to prevent excess moisture being retained. This is important because excess water can promote the growth of mildew and mould.

Watering in the morning, also allows any excess water (on the leaves for example) to evaporate during the course of the day. This is typically when temperatures are warmer. This will help to prevent any rotting problems.

How to water houseplants

Now you know the best time of the day to water your plants. Lets explore how to water your houseplants and the benefits of getting it correct. We will also include some tips to help.

How to water house plants - Tip 1

Select a suitable watering accessory:

Before you start watering your houseplant you need to decide what you are going to put the water in. The watering accessory that is best for you is down to personal choice. This will depend on many factors such as the type and size of your plant collection. There are several options when it comes to watering accessories:

Watering Can – Watering cans are a useful when watering larger plants. Perfect for a larger plant collection. They typically tend to hold more water meaning you don’t need to fill it up as frequently while watering.

They can also be used to water smaller plants, when you may want to carefully add a small, controlled amount of water.

Watering Jug – with an open top, a watering jug has the benefit of allowing you to clearly see the amount of water you are adding to your plant. This can be useful if you prone to over watering your plants.

Spray Bottles and Misters – Spray bottles and misters have the benefit of allowing a small, targeted amount of water to be sprayed onto your house plants. This can be great as a quick pick me up for your plant during warmer months and can also be used to increase the humidity around your plant. This is a great way to mimic the way many tropical plants get their water. With water hitting the leaves and running down to the soil at the base of the plant.

How to water houseplants properly – Tip 2

Temperature of the water:

When watering your houseplants it is best to use water that is at room temperature. Water that is too hot, may scold your plant and cause the roots and soil to break down.

Whereas using water that is too cold, may shock the plant and you may see leaves or flowers dropping off as a result.

How to water a house plant – Tip 3

Use a specialist houseplant feed:

Houseplant feeds contain a range of essential nutrients to help your plant grow and develop. It is easier than you might think to add a specialist houseplant feed into your watering routine.

Some houseplant feeds are water soluble which means they need to be added to water to be used. Therefore, you can fertilise your plant at the same time as watering which saves you having to water and feed your houseplant separately.

How to water house plants properly – Tip 4

Water from the top or bottom:

Different plants have their own preferences on how to be watered. The houseplant and its care instructions will determine whether you water from the top or the bottom.

How to water houseplants from the bottom?

If you are watering your plant from the bottom, you need to place your houseplant in a suitable sized tub or tray (depending on the size of your pot). This tub should contain water. The water will then be drawn up from the bottom of the plant to where it is needed.

One important point to note if you water your plants this way is to pay attention to how long you water your plants for. Each plant will give you guidance as to how long to water your plant for (from your care instructions). Most houseplants should not be allowed to sit in excess water for too long. Prolonged contact to excess water can lead to root rot.

How to water houseplants from the top?

If you are watering your plant from the top. Simply add water to the top at the top of the pot using your preferred watering accessory. Following the care instructions for your houseplant will determine how much water you need to add. It is important to ensure that any excess water has drained through as contact with excess water can lead to root rot.

How to water a houseplant – Tip 5

Use a specialist houseplant myst:

The use of a houseplant myst spray can increase the humidity around your plants as well as provide them with some of essential nutrients for your plant.

It is a great way to complement your watering routine and also promote the overall health of your houseplants. Houseplant myst is of particular benefit to tropical houseplant varieties. This is because they prefer a high humidity level. Misting help to mimic their natural environment.

Final thoughts on how to water indoor plants

By following our tips and advice on how to water indoor plants. it is easy to ensure that your houseplants are being watered correctly. The benefits of getting this right are profound. It will help to ensure your plants have luscious green leaves. It will support your plant to flower if this is something your plant can do and it will support the overall health of your plant.

Remember, each plant is different, so it is vital to monitor and adjust how you water your plant depending on its care requirements.

If you need some advice on how often to water your houseplants, our blog How Often Should You Water House Plants has all the information you need.