Do you have houseplants?
Then you know that taking care of your plants is sometimes a full-time job!
Fertilizer, good exposure to the sun... it's true that there are plenty of things to do.
Some plants require little water, others need to be watered regularly.
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 been working in a garden center for 20 years.
So, without further ado, here is the easy guide to knowing when to water houseplants . Watch:
Click here to easily print my guide in PDF.
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 it's time to water your succulents, don't skimp on water! Flood the plant, then allow the soil to drain and dry out as quickly as possible…much like tropical storm conditions.
To discover: 25 Great Decoration Ideas With Succulents.
Latin name: Aloe
When to water: every 10 to 15 days
Good to know: aloes are succulents, also called succulents. Thus, follow the same advice as previously mentioned.
To discover: 40 Uses of Aloe Vera That Will Blow Your Mind!
Latin name: Spathiphyllum
When to water: every 5-10 days
Good to know: spathiphyllum, also called moonflower, false arum or peace lily, requires moist soil. Let the soil dry out to about 5 cm deep between each watering. If the soil takes longer to dry, it means that the spathiphyllum needs more exposure to the sun.
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. During watering, flood the plant and allow the soil to drain and dry out as quickly as possible. Although it tolerates shade well, sansevieria is a desert plant that needs bright light and direct sunlight.
Latin name: Ficus lyrata
When water: every 5-10 days
Good to know: let the soil dry out about 5 cm deep between each watering. The lyre fig tree likes to be in full light, even if its foliage tends to dry out.
Latin name: Peperomia
When to water: every 5-10 days
Good to know: let the soil dry out about 5 cm deep between each watering. If the soil takes a long time to dry out, it means that your peperomia is not getting enough sun.
Latin name: Chlorophytum comosum
When to water: every 5-10 days
Good to know: water when the soil is dry about 5 cm deep. The spider plant likes moist soil. But as with peperomias, if the soil takes a long time to dry out, your plant is not getting enough light.
Latin name: Calathea
When to water: every 5-10 days
Good to know: water when the soil is dry about 5 cm deep. NEVER spray the foliage of your calathea, as it is a disease-prone plant. However, the calathea likes moist soil. And again, if the soil takes a long time to dry out, it means your plant is not getting enough light.
Latin name: Chamaedorea elegans
When to water: every 5-10 days
Good to know: water the saw palmetto as soon as the soil is dry to about 5 cm deep. Like most of the plants on this list, the saw palmetto likes moist soil, but it will take a long time to dry out if your palm isn't getting enough light.
Latin name: Citrus
When to water: every 5-10 days
Good to know: water citrus trees when the soil is completely dry about 5 cm deep, or when their leaves start to wilt or curl up.
If the soil takes a long time to dry out, your plant is not getting enough light or perhaps its pot is not suitable. Citrus roots like to dry out as quickly as possible. So, to make your citrus fruits live longer, use terracotta pots.
Latin name: Ficus elastica
When to water: every 5-10 days
Good to know: the rubber ficus appreciates well-drained soils. Thus, water when the soil is completely dry to 5 cm deep.
Latin name: Phalaenopsis
When to water: every 5-10 days
Good to know: spray your orchid with water regularly (daily or every other day). Once a week, submerge the jar three-quarters deep in a bucket of room-temperature water. 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, use a suitable potting mix, based on orchid bark.
Finally, phalaenopsis like rooms with good ambient humidity, such as a bathroom with a window. Placed this way in your bathroom, you can mist it less often.
Latin name: Philodendron
When to water: every 5-10 days
Good to know: water your philodendron when the soil is dry about 5 cm deep. If the soil takes longer to dry out, your plant is not getting enough light.
Latin name: Ficus
When to water: every 5-10 days
Good to know: water as soon as the soil is completely dry, about 5 cm deep. Ficus like a good exposure to the sun.
Here are the 2 most important rules when it comes to watering your houseplants:
When you start watering your plant, the soil doesn't immediately absorb the water. In fact, she'll even push her 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.
It is for this reason that it is important to use pots with drainage holes in the bottom, as they allow water to enter from the bottom of the pot.
You can also water some of your plants (like orchids) by soaking, also called basinage.
Simply submerge the pot in a bucket or sink pan filled with water. When the surface is wet, remove the pot.
Thus, the water will infiltrate through the drainage holes and impregnate the soil of the flower.
Small plants need more attention and more frequent watering than larger plants.
Similarly, plants that receive more sun 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 of the volume of the pot.
And if in doubt, there is an infallible test:touching 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.
Was this guide helpful in properly watering your houseplants? Tell us in the comments! We can't wait to read you!
