How to Water Houseplants

By eHow Home & Garden Editor

Water Houseplants

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More houseplants die from too much water than from not enough. Here's how to determine when your plants need water.

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Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

Gravel
Spray Bottles
Self-watering Pots
Watering Cans
Moisture Meter

Step1

Poke your finger right into the dirt, about an inch below the surface or up to your first knuckle. If the soil feels dry to the touch below the sur-face, it's time to water. If it feels damp, wait a day or two and test again.

Step2

Use an inexpensive moisture meter to check the moisture level in the soil as an alternative to the fingertip test.

Step3

Provide extra water to plants that require moist soil, such as ferns and philodendrons. The soil should feel like a wrung-out sponge.

Step4

Use self-watering pots if you don't have the time to check your plants daily. These handy pots allow the plants to help themselves to a drink. You will need to check the pots' water reservoirs every two weeks.

Step5

Use tepid or warm water to water tropical plants. Allow the water to sit in the watering can overnight so that chlorine and chemicals can evaporate. This is called 'seasoning' the water.

Step6

Use water from a freshwater aquarium. It contains nutrients, is the proper temperature and has no chemicals or chlorine.

Step7

Mist plants frequently. They do take in moisture through their leaves, and the humidity mimics their tropical environment.

Tips & Warnings

Plants in bright light will use more water than those in low-light areas.
Make a humidity tray by placing gravel in the saucer. When you water, moisture will evaporate from the gravel up through the foliage.
Never allow plants to sit in standing water. Drain saucers a half-hour after watering.