How to Water Houseplants Correctly
More houseplants die from too much water than too little. Check the soil first, water thoroughly, and let the pot drain.
Check the soil, not the calendar
A fixed schedule such as "every Sunday" fails because a plant's thirst changes with light, temperature, pot size and season. Test the soil instead. Push a finger into the mix up to the second knuckle, about 2 in (5 cm) deep.
- Dry at that depth: water most foliage plants now.
- Still damp: wait two or three days and test again.
- Succulents, snake plants and ZZ plants: wait until the mix is dry all the way to the bottom.
- Ferns and peace lilies: water as soon as the surface starts to dry.
A pot that feels light when lifted is another reliable sign that it is time.
Water thoroughly, then drain
Pour water slowly over the whole soil surface until it runs out of the drainage holes. This wets the full root ball and flushes out fertilizer salts. Empty the saucer after 15 to 30 minutes so the roots do not sit in water.
Small sips of water are a common mistake. They wet only the top layer, the lower roots dry out, and the plant grows weak, shallow roots.
Use water at room temperature. If your tap water is heavily treated, fill the can the night before, or use rainwater or filtered water for sensitive plants such as spider plants and peace lilies.
Bottom watering
Stand the pot in a bowl holding 1 to 2 in of water for 20 to 30 minutes, then let it drain. The mix draws water up from below. This method suits plants with dense foliage that hides the soil, and potting mix that has dried out so much that water runs straight past it. Water from the top once a month as well, to flush out salts.
Overwatered or underwatered?
Both problems cause wilting, which is why they are confused. Feel the soil to tell them apart.
| Sign | Overwatering | Underwatering |
|---|---|---|
| Soil | Wet for a week or more | Dry and shrinking from the pot edge |
| Leaves | Yellow, soft, falling from the base | Crisp brown edges, curling |
| Stems | Mushy or blackened at soil level | Limp but firm |
| Smell | Sour or musty | None |
An underwatered plant usually recovers within a day of a good soak. An overwatered plant needs to dry out. In serious cases, repot it into fresh mix after cutting away brown, soft roots.
Adjust through the year
Plants use the most water in spring and summer, when light is strong and growth is active. In fall and winter most houseplants slow down and may need only half as much. Plants in bright light, small pots or terracotta dry faster than plants in low light, large pots or glazed and plastic containers.
The one rule on pots
Always use a pot with a drainage hole. If you like a decorative container without one, keep the plant in a plastic nursery pot inside it and lift it out to water.