The Secret to Keeping Houseplants Alive
While we could chat about a number of ways to keeping houseplants alive, there is one BIG thing we do wrong without even realizing it.
Over-watering.
Did you know that the number one houseplant killer is over-watering?
Yep. Rethinking how we water our plants will save a lot of heartache when a houseplant succumbs to pest and disease problems.
It is so important not to allow plants to sit in soggy roots.
Why? Because soggy roots promote pest and disease problems.
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Keeping Your Houseplants Alive by Watering the Right Way
In general, and I do mean “in general,” water houseplants roughly 1x per week. But this type of watering schedule may not work for all plants. So it’s important to understand when a plant does not need to be watered.
NOTE: If you have succulents or cacti, water 1x a month or less. These plants typically thrive on neglect. For my cacti and succulents like aloe vera, cacti, etc., I don’t water them much at all and almost leave them alone.
Why We Mistakenly Over-Water
Most people water because the soil looks dry or it’s that day of the week when they are scheduled to water.
The problem with both of these methods is that the soil where the roots are may not actually be dry.
And if the soil is not really dry, then plant roots sit in a wet soggy mess that promotes pest and disease problems.
So just because the top layer of soil looks dry doesn’t mean it is. And, the plant may not “need” to be watered on the scheduled watering day.
How Does Soil Retain Water and Still Look Dry?
Wet soil is very similar to a sponge. If you soak a sponge and hold it upright, water collects at the bottom while the top dries out. Thus, the soil surface may look and feel dry, but may not be dry where the roots are located.
How to Determine Whether Houseplants NEED to be Watered
While I mentioned having a scheduled watering day could be harmful to plants, it is good to plan one so that watering is on your radar.
So choose a day of the week when you want to water. Then check each plant using the cake batter test.
- use a finger, plastic knife, popsicle stick or something similar.
- insert it in to the soil about an inch down
- if the tester comes out clean, it’s time to water
- if the tester comes out with some wet soil, do not water yet
- Re-check using the same process in another day or two if the tester comes out with some wet soil.
I know this sounds like a task but you will get to know your plants and their watering needs after a few weeks.
Pro-Tip for New Plants: It’s a good idea to use the cake batter test for the first few weeks of care so you get to know the plant and its watering requirements.
Want More Houseplant Tips?
- 7 Ways to Keep Houseplants Alive
- What You Need to Know About Easy Care Houseplants That Purify the Air
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So many great tips and your plant looks so healthy and vibrant.
Thank you Mary Beth! xoxo
Love the knife trick!
These are great tips! Your plants look amazing Stacy!
I’m a serial over waterer! Thanks for all the tips. I’m sure my house plants will be much happier now that I know this!
Your site is so informative. I truly love it. I need to send you my rose begonia. Every year I love them when they are for sale in the plant nursery and then I get them home on the porch for a couple months and they just simply digress. I know that ‘s not really a house plant…but I’m puzzled by it anyway.
Send me pics if you have them! I’ll help you with it!
I definitely need this! Thank you!
I’m so happy to hear that!!! Thank you so much!!!!
Awesome tips. I do qualify as an over-waterer! Will try the knife trick!
Stacy this is so helpful! I sadly just killed a lovely ivy plant. I think I over watered it. Pinned for future plant love !☺️
I’m so glad you liked it! Believe me, I’ve over-watered plenty of houseplants – it’s so easy to do without even realizing it!
Great to see your feature over on Welcome Home Sunday! I always love your gardening tips and seeing your beautiful home. Maybe you’ll rescue me from my “black thumb” status!
Shelley
We are going to change that Shelley! I’ve got some neat tricks that make it really easy. xoxoxo
SI glad you joined us this week for Welcome Home Sunday! This is such a helpful post for your friend here who does not have a green thumb!
We are going to work on that green thumb – you can do it! Thank you for including with me! I love joining you guys!
What a great post! I’m a plant killer! I will have to try the knife trick.
I’m so glad you stopped by Danielle! And thank you! It really works! xoxo
Thank you so much for all the tips. I used to grow beautiful plants, but now not so much. Could it be the water softener unit we have that uses salt and bleach
Hi Linda! Have you ever tested your water before or tried watering with water that is not from the tap?