First aid for watering

• Posted on 20 November 2024
• By Annelies
• 0

Watering your plants is essential to keeping them alive, that goes without saying. But when do you water them? And what else should you take into account? Water when you go on holiday. With these tips in mind, your plants will live a happier long life.

Watering your plants is essential to keeping them alive, that goes without saying. But when do you water them? And what else should you take into account? Water when you go on holiday. With these tips in mind, your plants will live a happier long life.

How to water

Now you are of course thinking: Annelies, it's not that difficult, is it? No, that's right.

But I can show you some tips and tools that I have learned from my background, school and grandpa's experience and that I would certainly like to share with you. Sometimes it is useful to look back on this.

Water

Without water, nothing grows, not even your plants. Fortunately, nature has found a solution: "rain". But because fortunately it doesn't always rain and your plants need something to drink every now and then, you may have to give them a helping hand.

Every plant's favorite drink

Many people give their plants cold tap water. Although this usually works fine. Your plants' favorite drink is lime-free water. Or even better is rainwater, at room temperature.

Rainwater contains enormous amounts of nutrients for your plants. Are you unable to use rainwater? Then filter your tap water by boiling it and letting it cool. Filtered water or rainwater is always better than tap water. It is also best to give water at room temperature, this is always better than cold water. The plants can be shocked by cold water. Just like us, we don't find it very relaxing when we have cold water poured over us.

How often should I water?

When you buy a plant from us, you will be indicated in which category the plant falls in terms of watering (high, medium, low). But there is also an easy trick: you can do this by looking at the potting soil or by sticking your finger about 5 cm deep into the soil. If soil sticks to your finger, it is still damp.

Please note that with larger planters it is possible that the top of the soil is dry, while the soil at the bottom is still moist.

'give lots of water': These plants would like a sip. They are used to lots of water and high humidity. Water large-leaved plants regularly. Make sure that the soil always remains slightly moist, without the roots of the plant standing in a layer of water. Only water when the top of the soil becomes lighter in color. Even better: stick a finger in the soil, does soil stick to your finger? Then the soil is still moist enough. Wait a little longer before watering.

Only plants that need a lot of water.

'medium watering': Give these plants just enough water so that the potting soil is moist but not too wet! Always test with your finger by inserting it about 5 cm into the potting soil. A little help: count to 3 per plant and then move on to the next one. Count to 3 again and continue like this. If it still feels wet after the test, water less next time so that the potting soil can dry out. During the winter months you can water less.

Only plants that need average water.

'little watering': Some houseplants need little water. For example, cacti and succulents can go without water for a number of weeks during the summer months. In the winter months they can go a month without water. Make sure the soil has a chance to dry out. This category of plants will not quickly die from a lack of water, but rather from an excess of water. If in doubt, it is therefore better to wait before watering.

Only plants that need little water.

Please note: a houseplant that requires the soil to always be moist is by definition not a plant that needs a lot of water.

How to cast?

Always water your plants at the roots and never on the leaves. Preferably do this in the evening, because the water evaporates faster on hot summer days. In addition, the leaves of your plants burn more easily in the bright sun. It is also better to water once a week, instead of a little every day. This way you create deep roots for the plant, making it sturdier. If you give the plant a little water every day, you stimulate superficial root growth, which makes your plant even more sensitive to drought.

Avoid dry soil

Loosening the soil a little every now and then works wonders. Less water will evaporate if the top layer of soil remains loose. Tip: you can add some fertilizers to the potting soil so that it converts into humus. This helps to retain moisture better. You can also buy it ready-made, in the form of a soil improver.

Pot versus open ground

There is a big difference between plants in a pot and plants in the ground. For example, plants in a pot need extra water more often, because plants in the open ground have more space for their roots to look for water and nutrients. Don't forget your flower pots that are against the wall or on your balcony/terrace, as they do not always receive enough rainwater.

Water plants during the season

Spring

Watering changes seasonally. In the spring, your plants wake up from hibernation and slowly start growing again. This means that they need more water than in winter. Let the plants slowly get used to more water. Don't forget the plant food.

Summer

In summer the plants need more water. The sun dries out the soil faster and makes the plant thirstier. Be careful not to overwater the plant. All plant species are different, but you can expect to do this once or twice a week. But always test with your finger.

Autumn

They need less water in autumn than in summer. Always pay attention to the temperatures and the amount of sun. There may still be summer temperatures in the autumn, so keep this in mind. Water less in the autumn, look carefully at the potting soil.

Winter

A question that often comes up: Why give plants less water in the winter period? Then it gets colder and the light intensity drops. This causes the plants to go into a kind of hibernation. As a result, they do not grow and they need less water. Therefore, be sure to test the potting soil of your plants during the winter months.

Air conditioning and heating

When the stove/underfloor heating is on in winter, the humidity drops drastically, causing the plants to use more water. The same goes for the air conditioning. The plant will also be more sensitive to pests if the air conditioning is on.

Should I spray my plants?

Most plant species want to be watered in both summer and winter. After all, tropical plants often grow wild in places with high humidity. Spraying plants contributes to higher humidity in the home and also helps prevent pests. When the heating is on in winter, the humidity in the house is much lower than in summer. That is why it is also beneficial to spray plants in winter. Another additional advantage is that the leaves remain dust-free.

Care of the plants during your holiday

Are you going on holiday? Then I have some tips for the survival of your houseplants.

Place the plants a little further from the window. This means they receive less light and use less water.

Put all the tropical plants together. The humidity around your plants rises and they evaporate less moisture.

Give the plants a splash of water before you leave.

Or allow the plant to fill with water by placing it in a large container of water.

The houseplants survive for a week without water. Moreover, it is better to have too little water than too much water, otherwise they will die in no time.

Are you going on holiday for more than a week? Then the best option is a plant sitter.

Ask friends, family or neighbors to water your plants. It is best to give them instructions. Show it to them or leave a note with it.

Or try making your own water system. But test this before you go.

Poke a few holes in the bottom of a plastic bottle and fill it with water. Place the bottle in the potting soil near the houseplant. This works like a drip system and the plant is watered slowly.

Or grab a bowl of water and place a rope here. You put this rope back in the potting soil of the houseplants. The rope acts as a kind of straw for the plants and they absorb water themselves.