Houseplants are nature presents that help you bring greenery into the house and connect with nature, from a beautiful fern in the bathroom to a lovely begonia on the windowsill. However, to guarantee that your plants are strong and healthy, there are certain practices that you should adopt, most importantly, the watering practices. Sadly, there is a lot of misinformation about how to water plants, and some of these myths will hurt your favourite green companions. If you’re like most gardeners, you have probably come across many myths regarding watering houseplants, and today, we will debunk them and explain why they are a danger to your plants. Let’s dive in!

Myth #1: "Watering Houseplants Every Day is Necessary"

You might be a good caretaker who tends to water your houseplants daily, but most do not need daily watering. Such plants include the Aloe Vera plant and the Jade plant, which require little water and will not do well if watered frequently. Too much water damages the roots and can cause several issues in such plants.

The watering requirement varies depending on the kind of plant, pot size, and surrounding conditions. For instance, some plants like the Peace Lily or Boston Fern, famous tropical plants, prefer more moisture, but even these would not require watering every day. Another helpful tip to know when it is or isn’t time to water the plant is through the top layer of the soil. If the soil feels dry when you touch it, it is time to water the plants.

Why It's Bad: Everyday watering results in waterlogged conditions other than depleting the root’s oxygen supply. For example, Snake Plant or ZZ Plant will eventually get overwatered, though they like the soil to dry out between watering.

Myth #2: "You Should Water Until Water Runs Out of the Bottom of the Pot"

A lot of folks make their plant well-watered by watering it until the water drains through the bottom of the pot. Such a method can work for some plants, but in most cases, it is not needed and can even be harmful.

When you water until it drains out of the bottom, you risk giving your plant too much water, especially if the soil is already wet. You must not drown your plants; provide just enough to moisten the root ball. Deep but controlled watering is best for plants like Pothos or Spider Plants.

Why It’s Dangerous: Too much water can cause the rotting of roots, and this is especially devastating for most house plants. It is important that the pot chosen has good drainage and that the plant is not overwatered. If you are unsure of how much water the plant requires, make sure you feel the soil before watering it again.

Myth #3: "Watering with Ice Cubes Helps Control Overwatering"

Some people suggest the use of ice cubes for watering plants because it slows down the process and prevents overwatering. In reality, this will hurt your plants, and here is why:

Ice cubes melt slowly, and as they melt, they give out cold water shock to the roots of a plant. Most houseplants, for example, Fiddle Leaf Fig and African Violet, prefer room temperature water. Cold water stresses the plant and is an obstacle to the proper functioning of the root.

Why It's Dangerous: Cold water can shock your plant, and this can slow it down or even cause root damage. DO NOT add ice cubes; water your plants with normal temperature water so that plants are not only happy but healthy as well.

Myth #4: "All Houseplants Need the Same Amount of Water"

Due to this, people would expect that all houseplants need to be watered in the same manner. All houseplants require a different amount of water according to the type, age, and surrounding conditions of the plant. For example, Succulents and Cacti have the capability of withstanding drought for long periods, requiring much less water than Ferns or English Ivy, which thrive better with moisture.

Philodendron and Spider Plants, for instance, are watered more regularly, while ZZ Plants and Snake Plants can go a more extended time between waters. It is also necessary to understand what a given plant requires to be healthy since they are different.

Why It's Dangerous: You may be using the same water routine on all your plants, and that may be the reason some are well irrigated while others are over-stirred. One common mistake is to overwater your plants, as that leads to root rot. While underwatering, it will stress your plants and make them wilt.

Tip: Find out the particular species of houseplants you have at home and determine how they should be watered. Aloe Vera, for instance, thrives with minimal water, while Boston Ferns need a consistent moisture supply.

Myth #5: "Watering Houseplants at Night is Fine"

It's one of those common myths when someone says watering plants is unacceptable even at night because it has a lesser chance of evaporating water under cool darkness. But, it is a harm-delivering myth.

When you water at night, the soil seems to retain dampness for much longer because cool temperatures inhibit evaporation. This leads to over-irrigation, where roots are exposed wet for a longer duration, leading to the formation of fungal diseases and root rot. Those plants are the Peace Lily and Philodendron, which easily suffer from root rot if watered too often.

Why It's Bad: Excessive watering at night creates root rot, mould, and mildew and should be prevented at all costs. It is safer to water in the morning partly because the plant can get the best of the water before the cool evening descends.

Tip: Water your plants during the morning time. They will be more effective in absorbing the nutrients in the soil. Water gives enough time to evaporate from the soil throughout the day and will have been absorbed before nightfall by your plants.

The Bottom Line: Water Wisely

There's nothing complicated about watering houseplants, but common myths can quickly get you wrong. Here's the lowdown on avoiding these myths and knowing the proper way to water for your plants' optimal growth: In a nutshell,

1. Don't water every day. Water only when the soil feels dry.

2. Don't flood your plants. Water until the soil is evenly moist, not until it drains out.

3. Do not use ice cubes – Water with water at room temperature to avoid root shock.

4. Every plant is unique and requires different needs – Learn each plant's needs.

5. Water during the morning time – Water plants in the morning so that by evening, the soil has time to dry up.

If you can follow the above tips and more, then you will be well on the way to establishing a healthy indoor garden. When it comes to watering practices, whether you are dealing with Aloe Vera, Snake Plant, or even Spider Plant, the important thing is to get it right.

Final Thoughts

Watering a plant refers to being entirely different from merely filling a watering can to the pot. At Eureka Farms, we are here to provide honest, accurate, easy-to-understand plant care tips to make sure that you become the best plant parent that you can be. So, next time when you are going to water your plants, just bear in mind these myths and should water them correctly. Your plants will thank you! Were any of these myths surprising? Have you come across other plant myths?

How to Buy Plants From Eureka Farms?

Eureka Farms is a licensed nursery that has a vast collection of landscaping trees, fruit trees, palm trees, and the most extensive collection of houseplants. Whether you would like to improve the outdoor view of your curb or turn your porch into a haven by adding topiary trees and hedges, we have everything from that and much more. Our plants are guaranteed to be delivered in fresh conditions, straight to each doorstep nationwide. Our low-maintenance indoor plants improve air quality, lift your spirits, and bring a touch of nature to your home office. Happy planting!