There is nothing that can bring new life to a house more than houseplants. Not only do the right indoor plants oxygenate the air and help you sleep better, they also keep you company and create a vibrant room.
Return the favor and learn how to water indoor plants correctly. You may research to get more ideas of what makes a plant a houseplant.
The two most important things that houseplants need are watering and time. Some need less sunlight, some need little watering, but giving the right care at the proper intervals and being patient as your houseplant matures and blossoms is the only way to see it is brought to its full potential.
Since you have little control over time, let's talk about watering.
How to Water Indoor Plants
Some plants need fresh water to live, while some, like seaweed, thrive in saltwater. Knowing which is which can mean life or death for your new neighbor. The basic metric is: if it grows in the sea, it needs saltwater.
If it inhabits a rainfall region, then you have got some fresh water indoor plants. It means that without adequate water treatment indoor plants cannot survive for long.
It is highly recommended to find out what it needs and what to be ready for before you pick your indoor plants from Decor Fácil. When we were young, helping water plants indoor was as simple as filling up a pitcher and dumping it into a pot, soaking the soil.
It's quick but messy. These days, there are sprayers designed just for plant care. This option is still fast, but much cleaner and more efficient.
Watering Indoor Plants With a Pump Sprayer
The best pump sprayer will be your greatest assistant in this matter, preferably the one with a misting nozzle as well as a jet spray feature.
You can always do your own research and learn more info on pump sprayer tips and tricks. The bell-shaped pump sprayers are fantastic when it's time to water indoor hanging plants.
They can speed up the job, giving your indoor house plants a much-needed drink and getting you on with your day. They even make your friend’s task when you ask to water indoor plants while away on a trip.
To better assist in this ordeal, we also included our review guide on the best watering can in the market making it easier for you to choose which will work best for your need and style.
When is the Best Time to Water Indoor Plants
The best time is during the early part of the day, closer to the morning than noon. Never at night, even if the houseplant is a nocturnal type.
When picking your plant, ask the dealer when and how frequently it should be sprinkled. Too much or too little at the wrong time can be fatal for your new friend.
There are many ways to water houseplants if you don’t have a sprayer.
Watering Indoor Plants from Below
You can take a deep saucer to fill it with water and place your potted plant in the middle. Over time, the water will be absorbed by the soil.
You can add a few centimeters of water to the sink or bathtub, set your plant in, wait a few hours, and after it has taken in enough, remove it, letting it dry. This works well for watering many houseplants at once.
If you are worried about under-watering or overwatering, a self-watering pot is awesome. The plant basically tells it when it needs it. And this is another great invention to watering houseplants while away.
How to Water Indoor Plants While Away
A great trick that uses gravity is the garden twine trick. Fill a bucket and elevate it above your houseplants using a stool or chair. Soak lengths of garden twine, then place one end in the bucket, and the other in the potting soil. Gravity draws water from the bucket, down to the plant. Pretty cool, huh?
Lay a tray with water, then place a towel to soak it up. Put the indoor plant on the towel, and the soil will soak up its moisture. The longer you are gone, the more liquid you will need in the tray.
Both of these have one big caveat. The pots must have drain holes; otherwise, your plants will get rotten roots. They need clean water and air for these tricks to work and allow the plants to thrive. The huge plus is that these ruses are easy and free.
To delay evaporation, water-absorbing pebbles are placed on top of the soil to keep the moisture in, saving your plant from losing too much essential fluid.
To check if your soil is moist, put your finger in it. A popsicle stick or toothpick works, too. If the soil sticks to any of these, it is most definitely wet.
To make sure the soil is dry, look at the edges where it meets the pot. As moisture evaporates, soil contracts. If there is a gap between the edge of the soil and the pot, it is time to add some water right away.
What to Avoid When Watering Indoor Plants
As we have covered, a plant CAN be overwatered. It can drown just as easily as other living things. Excess water that is not absorbed into the soil and plant’s roots will eventually become stale and toxic.
This can kill as well as a lack of watering. This doesn’t apply to desert houseplants like cacti and succulents. These need a dry environment with less liquid to thrive. They have evolved only to need a little, and giving them more than their share will kill them very quickly.
Once again, ask your garden center representative how much watering your houseplant needs based on where you live and how much sun the houseplant will require.
During the warmer summer months, many houseplants will need more watering than during winter. But some will do just fine regardless of the time of year.
Looking after a houseplant is more than just buying and forgetting about it. There are many things to consider if you want your houseplants to live and grow for years to come.
What to feed them? How much watering do they need and how frequently? Does it need direct sunlight, or can it sustain in a more shadowed space?
As we dive into the most common questions people have when it comes to choosing and ultimately purchasing their first houseplant, we will give you all the important information to make the best-informed decision for improving your home decor.
Types of Indoor Plants to Choose From
Before you pick your first houseplant, there are some things to consider. For instance, what is your decorating scheme, and will the plant compliment it? You won’t want ferns if you have a southwest motif.
So, let’s cover some variables, and you can decide what will work best.
Indoor Plants That Require Little Water
If you want a plant but know it might be tricky to look after it, a plant that can survive for a long time with no or little water could be what you need. Some options are:
- Cactus
- Jade
- Spider plant
- ZZ plant - learn how to grow Zanzibar Gem here.
- Aloe Vera
- Yucca - refer to this guide on growing Yucca plants.
If it thrives in the desert, it is a perfect low-maintenance option for busy horticulture enthusiasts.
Large Indoor Plants
For more avid amateurs who love to make their watering schedule part of a routine, the following big beauties can fit perfectly into the overall atmosphere.
They come in a variety of options and are divided into those that need sunlight and the ones that don’t.
Indoor Plants That Needs Direct Sunlight
- Kentia Palm
- Philodendron
- Croton - see our Croton growing guide here.
- Ficus (a very popular choice)
- Fatsia Japonica
- Cat Palm - here is everything you need to know to care for Cat palms.
Indoor Plants That Don’t Need Direct Sunlight
- Bamboo
- Anthurium Crystallinum - find out how to care for Anthurium Crystallinum here.
- Ivy
- Peace Lily
- Pothos - learn how to propagate Pothos here.
- Bird of Paradise plant
The list goes on, but the point is that you have an impressive quantity of options to choose from. You just have to decide what you want to grow, and how you want to nurture it. It is the gift that keeps on giving.
Wrapping Up How To Water Indoor Plants
Having an indoor plant is a fantastic investment for improving mood, air quality, and atmosphere. It’s not a shock that a simple addition of ficus or fern can add an element of charm to a room.
And scattering many houseplants throughout your home will simulate being outdoors, offering freedom and peacefulness that can alter even the unhappiest mindset.
You can talk to houseplants, touch them, and they never complain or ignore you. Next to a dog, they really are one of the best non-human companions a person can ask for.
There you have it. Everything you need to know on how to water indoor plants.
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