Right Way to Water Your Plants
Plants need three basic elements to survive: water, carbon dioxide, and sunlight. Depending on the variety of plants, some may need more of these elements than others; and while others require less care, others need extra care. Of all the three basic elements, water is something that you need to provide your plants; because air is naturally available as well as sunlight.
One common mistake, especially for new plants owners, is either under watering or overwatering their plants. But exactly how much is too much or too little water? Depending on the size and variety of plants, as a general rule, it is best to water your plants heavily and wait until the soil dries out before watering them again. Just make sure your pots have holes enough for excess water to escape, otherwise, just pour enough water to not sog the soil and rot the roots.
It is not enough to just water your plants with regular tap water as water that flows from the tap is usually treated with chlorine which may be harmful to plants with long use. Chlorine-treated water causes the tip of the leaves to scorch and turn yellow.
Pro tips for watering your plants
- Focus on the root zone where water is needed most and not the leaves
- Water only when needed, just enough to keep the soil moist
- Water deeply and thoroughly. Use a gardening fork to loosen the soil for maximum absorption
- Best to water in the morning so it leaves enough time to dry out the leaves where much of the disease can develop.
- Mulch your soil to retain moisture, suppress weeds, and keep the soil cool
- Use a soil moisture reader to monitor and keep the moisture level that’s right for your plants.
You can allow regular tap water to sit for a minimum of 24 hours to dechlorinate. But depending on the initial concentration of the chlorine, and the total volume of water, it may take 5 days for chlorine to evaporate completely from the water.
Another option and probably the best water for your plants is rain water. Nutrients suspended in the air are washed to the ground as rain falls giving your plants a boost of the best nutrients they need. And since rain come only on certain months of the year, you may harvest rainwater in barrels or tanks if you want to have enough supply of rainwater.
Is there an easier and faster way to provide good water for your plants? Yes there is! Luckily, home water filtration systems provide you with quick and easy access to filtered water anytime. And if you want a filter that is easy to install, use and maintain, get SJ Wave’s faucet water filter. This cute contraption is capable of filtering 320 gallons of water, with filters that are easy to replace. This product reliably removes 98% of chlorine in your tap and makes it safe for your plants.
Visit their website to find out more about complete home water filtration system.
If you’re looking at getting a houseplant, get one that suits your lifestyle. If you spend more time outside your home or travelling a lot, choose a plant that can survive with less water and sunlight. Do wick while you’re away because even the healthiest houseplant can suffer if not watered for a long period of time.
Wicking is a simple way of ensuring the plant gets enough water without flooding it. By placing a large jar of water next to the plant with a cotton rope or even a strip of absorbent fabric long enough to reach from the plant to the bottom of the water jar, the rope acts as a wick to slowly transfer water to the plant, thereby keeping your plant hydrated while you’re away.
Keep your houseplants properly hydrated because healthy plants give off positive energy, cleans the air and promotes mental health.