How often to water houseplants The Simple And Practical Guide.
Do you have houseplants?
So you know that taking care of your plants can sometimes be a full-time job!
Fertilizer, good exposure to the sun ... it is true that there is plenty to do.
Fortunately, to know when to water your houseplants, here is the simple and practical guide.
All these watering tips, I got them from a reliable source! They come from my friend Christophe who has worked in a garden center for 20 years.
So, without further ado, here is the easy guide to find out when to water houseplants. Look :
Click here to easily print my guide in PDF.
1. Succulents
When to water: every 10 to 15 days
Good to know : NEVER water your succulents if the soil is still wet. Always wait until the soil is completely dry between each watering. And when the time is right to water your succulents, don't skimp on water! Flood the plant, then let the soil drain and dry as quickly as possible ... much like the conditions of a tropical storm.
To discover : 25 Great Decorating Ideas With Succulents.
2. Aloe
Latin name: Aloe
When to water: every 10 to 15 days
Good to know : aloes are succulents, also called succulents. So, follow the same tips as mentioned earlier.
To discover : 40 Uses of Aloe Vera That Will Amaze You!
3. Spathiphyllum (false arum or moon flower)
Latin name: Spathiphyllum
When to water: every 5 to 10 days
Good to know : spathiphyllum, also called moon flower, faux arum, or peace lily, requires moist soil. Let the soil dry about 2 inches deep between each watering. If the soil takes longer to dry out, it means that the spathiphyllum needs more exposure to the sun.
4. Languish mother-in-law
Latin name: Sansevieria trifasciata
When to water: every 10 to 15 days
Good to know : as with succulents, wait for the soil to dry completely between each watering. While watering, flood the plant and allow the soil to drain and dry as quickly as possible. Although it tolerates shade well, sansevieria is a desert plant that needs bright light and direct sunlight.
5. Lyre fig
Latin name: Ficus lyrata
When water: every 5 to 10 days
Good to know : let the soil dry about 5 cm deep between each watering. The lyre fig likes to be in bright light, even if its foliage tends to dry out.
6. Peperomia
Latin name:Peperomia
When to water: every 5 to 10 days
Good to know : let the soil dry about 5 cm deep between each watering. If the soil takes a long time to dry out, your peperomia is not getting enough sunlight.
7. Spider plant
Latin name: Chlorophytum comosum
When to water: every 5 to 10 days
Good to know : water when the soil is dry to about 2 inches deep. The spider plant appreciates moist soil. But like with peperomias, if the soil takes a long time to dry out, your plant is not getting enough light.
8. VSalathea
Latin name: Calathea
When to water: every 5 to 10 days
Good to know : water when the soil is dry to about 2 inches deep. NEVER spray the foliage of your calathea, as it is a disease-prone plant. However, the calathea appreciates moist soil. And again, if the soil takes a long time to dry out, your plant is not getting enough light.
9. Saw palmetto
Latin name: Chamaedorea elegans
When to water: every 5 to 10 days
Good to know : water the saw palmetto as soon as the soil is dry to about 2 inches deep. Like most of the plants on this list, saw palmetto appreciates moist soil, but it will take a long time to dry out if your palm is not getting enough light.
10. Lemon tree and other citrus fruits
Latin name: Citrus
When to water: every 5 to 10 days
Good to know : Water citrus fruits when the soil is completely dry, about an inch deep, or when their leaves start to wilt or curl up on themselves.
If the soil takes a long time to dry out, your plant is not getting enough light or maybe its pot is not suitable. Citrus roots like to dry out as quickly as possible. So, for your citrus fruits to live longer, use terracotta pots.
11. Rubber ficus
Latin name: Ficus elastica
When to water: every 5 to 10 days
Good to know : the rubber ficus appreciates well-drained soils. So, water when the soil is completely dry to 5 cm deep.
12. Butterfly orchid (Phalaenopsis orchid)
Latin name: Phalaenopsis
When to water: every 5 to 10 days
Good to know : regularly spray your orchid with water (daily or every other day). Once a week, submerge the pot three-quarters in a bucket of water at room temperature. Let your plant soak for about 10 minutes, until no more air bubbles escape from the pot.
Be careful, orchids do not tolerate sphagnum moss, which is often found in potting soil, because it causes them to rot. So, instead, use a suitable potting mix, based on orchid bark.
Finally, phalaenopsis like rooms with good humidity, such as a bathroom with a window. So placed in your bathroom, you can spray it less often.
13. Philodendron
Latin name: Philodendron
When to water: every 5 to 10 days
Good to know : Water your philodendron when the soil is dry about an inch deep. If the soil takes longer to dry out, your plant is not getting enough light.
14. Ficus
Latin name: Ficus
When to water: every 5 to 10 days
Good to know : water as soon as the soil is completely dry, about 5 cm deep. Ficuses like good exposure to the sun.
2 GOLDEN RULES TO REMEMBER
Here are the 2 most important rules for watering your houseplants:
1. The soil of your plants is like a dry sponge.
When you start watering your plant, the soil does not immediately absorb the water. In fact, she will even push it away.
For example, if you water your plant, but the water has passed straight through from the bottom, your plant has not been watered well!
In effect, this means that the water has passed through the earth ... without being absorbed.
This is why it is important to use pots with drainage holes in the bottom, as they allow water to enter from the underside of the pot.
You can also water some of your plants (like orchids) by soaking, also called drenching.
Just immerse the pot in a bucket or in a sink filled with water. When the surface is wet, remove the pot.
Thus, water will seep through the drainage holes and soak the soil with the flower.
2. The amount of water needed depends on the size of your plant
Small plants need more care and more frequent watering than large plants.
Likewise, plants that receive more sunlight should also be watered more often.
As a general rule, the amount of water to use for watering your plants is between 1/4 and 1/3 the volume of the pot.
And when in doubt, there is a foolproof test: is to touch the earth with your finger !
If the soil is dry, the plant needs water.
On the other hand, if the soil is still wet, wait before watering it again.
Your turn...
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Also to discover:
3 Homemade Automatic Waterings For Your Houseplants.
8 Plants You Hardly Need To Water.
