Everything You Need to Know to Keep Your Plants Happy
Watering your plants can be a daunting task, especially if you're a new plant parent or don't have a green thumb. However, with a few simple tips and tricks, you can master the art of plant watering and help your indoor garden thrive.
Tip #1 - Listen To Your Plants (and the Soil)
First things first, forget about a fixed watering schedule. Watering is a dynamic activity that depends on your plant's soil condition preferences and the moisture levels of your soil. Some plants prefer to have dry soil in between watering, while others prefer to have moist soil. Additionally, soil moisture can vary depending on the season, distance to windows, and humidity in the room. To determine when it's time to water your plants, measure the soil moisture either by digging your finger into the pot or using a moisture meter.
Tip #2 - Get to Know Your Plants
Different plants have different watering schedules, so get to know your green babies. If you have a lot of plants, keeping up with their watering needs can be challenging. To make things easier, create cheat-sheets with vital information about each plant's watering schedule and preferences. You can also find some plants' cheat sheets on the Careless Plants website, or reach out to us via email or message to create one for a specific plant.
Always, always, always make sure your pots have drainage holes! You don't want to put your plants in a swimming pool.
Tip #3 - When in Doubt, Go Dry
If you're not sure whether to water your plants or not, it's better to err on the side of caution and wait a few days. Remember, overwatering is one of the most common mistakes that plant parents make.
Tip #4 - Always Use a Pot With Drainage
Do not, we repeat, DO NOT use a pot without drainage holes. It's like putting your plants in a swimming pool and expecting them to survive. Make sure the water can drain freely out of the pot.
Tip #5 - Get Your Moisture Meter (or Use Your Fingers)
To avoid over or under watering your plants, it's important to accurately gauge soil moisture. Soil can sometimes look dry but still be moist. Consider investing in a moisture meter or using your fingers to test the soil (does not work well for larger pots above 8").
Tip #6 - Avoid Heavy Ceramic Pots
While they may look stylish, heavy ceramic pots can be a nightmare to move around, especially for larger plants and when you need to water them. Opt for lighter options like woven baskets or ceramic pots with drainage holes.
Tip #7 - Consider Alternative Watering Methods
Bottom watering is a great option for some plants. It involves placing the pot in a container filled with water and letting the plant soak up the water from the bottom.
Tip #8 - Don't Stress Too Much
Finally, plants are resilient. Even if you forget to water them for a few days, most plants will bounce back with a little TLC. So don't stress too much, just enjoy the process of taking care of your leafy friends.
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