How often should I water my houseplants?
Wait to water your indoor plants until the top inch or two of the potting mix is dry. Don't follow a schedule, check with your finger instead. When it's time, water slowly until some trickles from the drainage holes and remove any excess water that collects in the saucer. Indoor plants in warm, sunny rooms will require more frequent watering than those in cooler, shadier areas.
How often should you water houseplants?
Most houseplants need to be watered once the top 1-2 inches of soil feels dry. Because there's no hard rule for when all plants should be watered, the answer will vary depending on the species, the size of the pot, the soil mix, light level, temperature, and season. It's ok to use weekly watering as a general guide, but always double check the soil before you water.
Try pushing your finger down into the dirt, and feel what the soil feels like below the surface. If the top of the dirt seems dry, but the soil underneath is still moist, then give it a few days before watering again. Succulents and snake plants need to dry out a bit more than other plants. Meanwhile, ferns and some tropical plants like the dirt to stay a little more moist all the time, though you don't want them sitting in water.
When you feel the plant needs a drink, water it slowly over the soil until it starts coming out of the bottom. This will moisten the whole root zone and also flush away some excess minerals. Allow the container to drain well and empty the tray or inner pot 5 minutes later.
Signs of watering problems
- Not enough water: Leaves may droop, the dirt may pull away from the sides of the pot, the edges may become crispy or leaves may fall.
- Too much water: If the soil remains wet, the foliage turns yellow, the soil has an acidic odor, fungus gnats are present or the roots are mushy.
A pot with drainage holes is also one of the simplest methods for preventing overwatering. Although a moisture meter might provide you with a general sense of how wet the soil is, the readings aren't always precise in all soils. Usually, the state of the soil and the look of the plant will provide a better indication of watering needs than a reminder on the calendar.