Mario Bautista
The water requirements for outdoor plants may fluctuate with the seasons, but indoor plants have distinct requirements too—often based on type, placement, light exposure, and container. These variables can make it tricky to know exactly when—and how often—to water your plant, not to mention how much water each plant needs. Here, you’ll learn how to water plants properly—whether it’s a thirsty anthurium or a low-water jade plant. You’ll also discover the best kind of water to use and learn to recognize the telltale signs of overwatering. Follow our guidelines and you’ll never have to deal with crispy, dried-out leaves or mushy, brown plants again.
BHG / Phoebe Cheong
How Much to Water Houseplants
Not all plants need the same amount of water, so if you’re not sure how much your specific varietals need, take cues from their natural habitats. Many popular houseplants, like philodendrons, come from tropical regions of the world where it rains regularly. These species usually have big leaves that require a lot of water to look good. Plants like these will need more water than desert denizens, like cacti and succulents, which often do better when you let the soil dry out between waterings.
The time of year can also make a difference—even for indoor plants. Many indoor plants grow more during the spring and summer but not as much in the fall and winter. If your indoor plant responds to seasonal changes, ease up on watering in the cooler months to avoid stressing the plant.
Editor’s Tip: If you notice less growth than usual, ease up on how much water you give your plants until they start growing more again.
BHG / Phoebe Cheong
When to Water Your Indoor Plants
As a rule of thumb, if you see any wilting leaves, it’s time to water your plants—but you don’t want to let them get to this point. Thirsty plants won’t look as good, and the lack of moisture makes them more susceptible to pests and diseases. Instead, make a habit of checking on your houseplants at least once a week to see if they need a drink. You can also use an app like Waterbug or Happy Plant to help remind you when it’s time to make your rounds.
Timing is essential when deciding how to water indoor plants. Watering in the morning is preferable to the evening because any excess moisture splashed on the foliage will have a chance to dry and evaporate throughout the day. The longer excess wetness sits on plant leaves, the higher the risk of diseases taking hold.
How to Check Your Indoor Plant’s Water Level
The best way to tell if your plants need water is to stick your finger about an inch into the potting mix—if it feels dry, break out the watering can. If you detect dampness, check back again in a day or two. For smaller houseplants, you can also pick up the whole container. If it feels light for its size, add water. Then, lift it again, and you’ll get a sense of how heavy the pot should feel when the soil is saturated. Or, if you lack a green thumb, consider a self-contained indoor garden system, which will constantly monitor soil moisture for you.
Best Water for Indoor Plants
When watering your houseplants, the type of water you choose depends on a few circumstances. Most tap water should be fine for houseplants unless it’s softened. Softened water contains salts that can build up in the soil over time and cause problems. Chlorinated water is also safe for most houseplants, but, if possible, water from a filtration system is much better for your plants. You could also collect rainwater to water your houseplants as it is typically pH balanced and free of the salts and minerals often added to tap water.
No matter which type of water you choose, experts recommend using room-temperature water when watering indoor plants. Either extreme (very cold or hot water) can damage your houseplants’ leaves and even cause the plant to go into shock.
How to Water Indoor Plants
Your room-temperature water is ready to go, and the soil feels dry, so now what? You may be tempted to dribble just a bit of water to avoid overwatering, but this won’t benefit your plants much. To be effective, the water needs to reach the roots and for most houseplants, the majority of the root system is deep beneath the soil surface. So, the best way to water your indoor plants is to thoroughly soak the soil and continue adding water until it starts to run out of the container’s drainage hole at the base. If you catch the runoff water in a saucer, your plant’s soil may absorb a bit more while it sits. However, make sure to dump out the saucer after about 10 minutes, or your plant’s roots may rot.
Another option is to place your plant containers in a shallow basin with an inch or two of water and allow the plants to soak up water from their base. Or, if your plant sits on a saucer, fill the saucer with water. If the plant needs water, the liquid will quickly soak through the drainage holes into the soil. Keep filling the saucer until the water no longer gets absorbed. Allow the containers to soak for 15 to 30 minutes or until the top layer of soil feels moist. This practice is known as “bottom watering” and is the ideal method for watering plants that don’t like wetness near their stems, such as cacti, succulents, and African violets.
BHG / Phoebe Cheong
How to Tell If You’re Overwatering Your Indoor Plants
There’s a reason pots have drainage holes. Too much water will deprive your plant’s roots of oxygen, causing them to drown. Even with good drainage, consistently wet soil can make it hard for air to reach the roots. Fortunately, there are a few ways to tell if you are overwatering your plants before it’s too late to save them.
A lack of new growth and yellowing leaves are common signs of overwatering. You may also notice wilting (which can be confusing because it’s also a sign of too little water). The trick is to check the soil when you notice these problems—and a plant moisture meter can definitely help. If the soil feels wet, ease up on the water. If the soil is dry, increase the frequency or depth of your watering.
You can also use your nose to determine if you have an overwatering problem. Lots of moisture encourages fungi and bacteria to grow in the soil, which can cause unpleasant odors, especially when roots are rotting. If you spot any fungus gnats flitting around your plant when you water, you’ve likely been too heavy-handed with the watering can.
If your plant shows signs of overwatering, it isn’t necessarily doomed. Just allow the soil to dry out a bit, then start following the watering techniques we describe above. If that doesn’t help your plant bounce back, try cutting away any dead or mushy roots with a pair of sterile pruning snips and repotting it with fresh soil.
Make Other Adjustments
If you’ve updated your watering routine and your plant is still struggling, you may need to adjust the plant’s temperature or light levels. If your plant needs more light, move it closer to a sunny window. Plants that need less light can be moved away from windows or placed in windows on the north side of your home. You could also invest in a grow light but keep in mind that many plants need different amounts of light at different stages of growth. Be sure to get the right type of grow light for your indoor plant.
Learning how to water plants requires some practice. The more you do it, the better you’ll get at caring for your indoor garden. Start with a few varieties that are tough to kill. Then, once you’ve mastered the basics and feel more confident in your watering skills, try taking on a few plants that are more challenging but totally worth the effort.
