Water is a vital element for caring for houseplants and promoting their proper growth. For this, it is important to water them. However, overwatering risks causing your plants to rot. They do not all have the same water needs. While some plants are water hungry, others prefer spaced watering. Check out this gardeners tip to find out if your plant needs water.
Before watering a plant, it is important to first check whether it needs water or not. This will allow you to avoid any excess watering that could drown the roots and rot the plant. For this, there is a very practical tip that will allow you to successfully water your houseplants.
How do you know if the plant needs water?
To find out if the soil is dry or needs watering, simply use a stick. Take one and push it several centimeters into the soil, taking care not to touch the roots, then remove it. If you find it dry, that means you need to water your plant. If, on the other hand, you notice pieces of soil stuck to the stick, this means that the soil is still damp and there is no point in watering it.
What are the other tips to know if the plant needs water
In addition to the stick trick, other ways exist and are effective for knowing whether you need to water your plant or not.
- Check the color of your plant’s potting soil
By taking a look at your plant’s potting soil, you can easily recognize whether your plant needs watering. In fact, moist potting soil is darker than dry potting soil. If your plant’s soil is light brown, it means it is dry. Note that this tip is especially suitable for plants that appreciate humidity and need permanently moist soil like ferns. If you use this tip for drought-tolerant succulents , like cacti, you risk overwatering them. Indeed, the soil may seem dry on the surface, but the bottom of the pot may still be damp. In this case, there will be no point in watering your succulent plant.
- Stick your finger into the plant’s soil
Since the soil can be dry on the surface but moist deep down, it is advisable to stick your finger into the soil, up to 4 cm deep. If the soil is completely dry, even deep down, water your plant. Note that this technique is especially effective for small pots, which are not very deep. Be careful when pushing your finger in so as not to damage the roots.
- Lift the plant pot
If when you lift your pot, you notice that it is heavier than usual, this means that it is still full of water. If it is light, it means that the soil has dried out and your plant needs to be watered. For larger pots, simply tilt them to estimate their weight.
- Check the condition of the plant’s foliage
To determine the needs of a plant, it is important to pay attention to the condition of its foliage. If you notice that the leaves are drooping and the stem is dry, this means that your plant is lacking water. In this case, water it lightly, without being too heavy handed, to get your green plant going again. If, on the other hand, the leaves of your plant are limp, and the base of the stem begins to turn brown and soft, this means that the plant has been overwatered. In this case, it is advisable to let the substrate dry before watering it again.
In addition to these tips, note that watering plants also depends on the seasons. Indeed, in autumn and winter, watering becomes less frequent, and for good reason, the plant enters a dormant period. It then needs less water. Also note that heating dries indoor air. To keep your plant hydrated, you can mist the foliage.
Also, the best way to water your plant is to basin it. To do this, remove the saucer or the pot cover, and immerse your pot in a basin of water for a few minutes, to give the potting soil time to absorb the water. Then empty the basin and let your pot drain and drain away excess water. Note that it is preferable to water your plants with non-calcareous water, such as spring water and at room temperature.
With these tips, you will be able to easily recognize if your plant needs watering, in order to avoid excess water which leads to wilting of your plant and root rot.
