The Bonsai Tree
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• juniper trees
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Bonsai Tree Care and House Plant Care

• Plant Pests
• Potting Soils
• Pruning Tips
• Container growing
• humidity
• Propagation
• Plant buying tips
• Potted Plants
• Watering
• Light sources

How to water your house plants properly

Watering is perhaps the most important service you can give your house plants. More plants fail from improper watering than from any other cause. The best way to avoid over watering the most common watering offense—is to know each plant's watering needs.

Watering is usually done in the morning. Many gardeners fill their watering cans the night before to allow the water to reach room temperature. This also permits any chlorine to evaporate.

If your water is softened in a water softener or if it's remarkably hard or tastes of salts or minerals, use bottled or distilled water. If your outdoor water faucets by-pass the water softener, draw the water there. Be sure to let the water reach room temperature before using it on plants. Some plant lovers catch rainwater in a cistern and water their plants with it.

How much water? is the first question most people ask when acquiring a plant.

Most indoor plant specialists will respond evasively. Typical answers are, "As much as it needs Not too much, yet not too little and the all time favorite It depends." Watering is indeed a very individual matter. How much and how often you water a plant will depend on the nature of the plant and the environment it grows in. Water when your plant needs it, not according to a schedule that's convenient for you.

Factors that affect watering

Since no two plants use water at exactly the same pace, many factors beyond the control of you or your plant will affect the amount of water it needs. The type of container you select, for example can control and use to your plant's advantage.

The seasons. In winter, when days are short and skies often gray, house plants generally need less water than during the summertime. Some plants respond to winter by retreating into a state of listlessness. They don't require much water; instead, give them dry aid and comfort by continuing your routine inspections and making sure they have adequate light. When your listless plant perks up, resume its normal care.

Some plants have a season for going completely dormant.  The foliage of most tuberous and bulbous plants begins to yellow after the plants bloom. Gradually withhold water from these plants until the foliage is dry. Then store the pots with the tubers or bulbs in a cool, dry, out-of-the-way spot. When new growth appears, restore the plant to its customary place.

Types of containers that you can buy

The container you choose to hold your plant will affect the amount of water needed and how often you apply it.

Red clay pots are porous, absorbing moisture and permitting good air circulation. Plants growing in clay pots tend to use more water and need it more frequently than plants in other types of containers. Moisture level of plants in clay pots will need to be checked frequently.

Plastic pots are nonporous; potting mix in them tends to retain moisture for longer periods than mix in clay pots. Over watering can be a real problem. Most gardeners reserve plastic pots for their moisture-loving plants.

Glazed pots, usually made of clay that is painted with a ceramic glaze, are also nonporous. Treat plants in glazed pots like those in plastic pots.

Pots without drainage present a problem. Once a plant is watered in an un-drained pot, moisture remains in the potting mix until it is utilized or evaporated. Plants in drain-less pots should receive less water than those in containers with drain holes. Just water a portion of the soil surface of these plants. A good rule is to add water equal to one-fourth of the total volume of the container. Watch these plants carefully for signs of improper watering.

One method of watering plants in pots without drainage is to insert a funnel into the soil with the funnel tip an inch under the soil surface. Pour water into the funnel until water no longer goes through it.

Plant differences. Plants that grow quickly and those that bloom or bear fruit heavily need more water than plants with a more conservative life style. Plants with a large total leaf surface, such as ferns, require more water than sparsely foliaged plants. Plants with soft, lush foliage need more water than those with waxy, leathery, or succulent leaves.