When and how much to water your plants?

Overwatering or underwatering is THE number one reason people kill their green friends. Watering plants the right amount at the right time is not easy if you have multiple plants in your home. Schedules, ack!

Most people don't fully realise it, but watering your plants all at the same time is a surefire way of getting a few of them killed. Some plants will have the same needs but watering is usually dependent on where they are positioned, the type of plant and the size of the plant. We have collected a few tips and tricks that will help you understand what to look for better. If you want to know specifically how much your plant needs, you can have a look at our Care Page for your specific plant. 

A surefire way to help care for you plants is to download the Plantsome App:

  • Never forget to water your plants
  • Easy alerts per plant, only when convenient for you
  • Watering needs based on location, humidity and plant type
  • Download for IOS and Android

Dit is iets teveel water.

How much water do you give to your plant?

This is the question we get the most. "I understand my plant needs water, but how much do I give it?" There is no one easy answer to this question because it is dependent on many factors including the type and size of plant. Some plants also bounce back easily from being over-watered or under-watered while others are more finicky and require more dedication from you. There are even plants that will have issues with unfiltered water so look out for that. You can read up about your plants specific needs on our care pages. As a general rule of thumb there are a few things you can keep in mind:
  • Check where your plant is originally from. Plants from arid climates generally require less water; plants from humid or wet climates can tolerate (and appreciate) more water. 
  • The size of the leaves give away a lot, too. The larger the leaf, the more water that's needed
  • The bigger your plant, the bigger its thirst! Big plants need more water to grow. 
  • Seasons play a part as well. Many plants take a nap in winter and require less water than in the spring or summer.
  • Then there is the humidity in your home. Low humidity generally means the plant requires more water. Winter months tend to be drier and then we turn on the heat which can make the humidity of your home very low. Most plants love a good spritizing in addition to an extra sip of water during this time.
  • How much sunlight is the plant getting? The more sunlight the faster the soil will dry out.
  • And lastly: what is the indoor temperature of the room? If plants are in direct sunlight the temperatures can rise pretty dramatically which in turn will dry out the soil faster. 

As you can see it is not easy to just give one straight answer to this question. When in doubt, use the Plantsome App and go to our plant care pages for specific instructions per plant.

Lastly, Be sure not to leave standing water in the pot. Plants do not like wet feet and will start to develop root rot. An easy trick if you still have your plant in the original growers pot: if the bottom of the pot is expelling water, you've over-watered your plant. If your planter does not have drain holes in the bottom add a layer of gravel or lava rock on the bottom to keep the roots out of the water.

How often do you water your plants?

This is of course totally dependent on the above considerations but again, a common rule applies: most plants like the soil to be slightly moist. Almost no plants like to have the soil dry out completely and the opposite is true as well. If you want to find out how moist the soil is, stick your finger in the soil as far as possible. If it comes out dry, its usually time to water your plant. If not, it is best to wait a few more days before watering again. Be mindful that there are exceptions. Palm and Cacti love a dry soil and will not need as much water as most other plants. Check the care pages for more specific information. 

What time to water your plants

We generally recommend to water in the morning. This is the moment when the plants are still relatively cool. Plants can get quite warm during the day and when you pour some ice cold agua over your green friend, she'll not be pleased! It can create kind of a 'shock' effect which could lead to your plant losing leaves. Don't set your alarm, but somewhere between five and seven in the morning is ideal. 

Water temperature. 

The temperature of the water also plays a part in the health of your plants. Try to keep the water at room temperature. This way there is the least chance of a 'shock' effect for your plants. If your room is reasonably warm you may want to tap water from the sink and leave it standing for a little bit before watering. Or just tap some lukewarm water and you are good to go!

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