A Guide to Watering Your Indoor Plants
How would it feel if you were out on a sunny day without having a water bottle? The first thing you'll do when you return home is to glug a lot of water down. That’s the same way your plants feel when they are thirsty, which is why you should always give a great, thorough soaking while watering them. Read on to know some more details on watering your indoor plants.
Give Them a Good Bath
If it’s possible, bring your plants into a sink or bathtub and directly water them in there. It is good to let your plants absorb water once and then provide them with a great soak to ensure the plant's soil absorbs sufficient water.
Make Sure to Have a Proper Drainage
Draining holes are necessary when you have indoor houseplants. Pooling water will lead to root rot and unhealthy plants if the excess water can't escape. Plants you can't bring to the bathtub or sink must be thoroughly watered by using a watering can until you notice water in the tray or saucer. Let it stay for about ten minutes, then remove the saucer water.
Research Your Plant’s Watering Requirements
Every plant is a bit different when it's about its watering needs. For instance, air plants love misting, whereas ferns enjoy wet leaves. It’s important to always research the specific plant care needs. Overwatering is among the biggest reasons for completely damaging cacti and succulents. Test the plant's soil before watering again, and make sure it's bone dry before you water it. Also, it's mandatory to have well-draining soil or get a pot with drainage holes in it.
Watering Your Big Indoor Plants
Giant plants are giant drinkers. Since it's hard to water your big plants in a tub or sink, you will need to get a larger saucer to place under your big-sized plants. You can use a chopstick or pen to poke holes into the soil around three inches deep. It will allow the water to absorb far enough down. Ensure you don't poke holes in the soil, as it can damage the entire root system. You can also find a watering can having a narrow spout. That can help get through the plant's foliage and direct water on the soil.
Try Self-Watering Planters for Your Plants
If some of your indoor plants require more and more water, you can opt for making or buying some self-watering planters. It will ensure that your plants receive adequate water even if you are not around or forget to water them. For more thirsty indoor houseplants, you may also want to include a layer of pebbles on the soil's top to retain moisture for a longer time.
Water Your Plants with a Saucer
Some indoor plants like this method. To do that, fill a tray or saucer with water and allow the soil and roots to be up the water. Keep adding the water until you notice no further absorption. However, it's important to ensure that roots are indirectly placed into the water. After the process of soaking up water is over, remove the remaining water. African violets, Cacti, succulents love this method of watering as they don’t prefer wetting their stems.