Mastering Indoor Watering
The most time-consuming routine maintenance task of indoor gardening is watering. There are a few possible methods, from a simple watering can or jug filled at the sink, to high-tech automatic drip systems.
How frequently you need to water will depend on the type of plants you choose to grow. It will also be affected by factors including light levels, soil type, indoor air temperature, and even the time of year.
Indoor Watering: Things to Consider
There are several ways to water an indoor garden. The easiest – and zero tech – option is using a good old watering can or jug filled at the faucet. Water is heavier than some people realize (think of the weight of a gallon of milk) so be sure to use a container that you’ll be able to carry when it’s full. A small watering can is the easiest option when you only have a few plants to maintain and you don’t mind making more than one trip to fill up at the faucet. (Indoor gardening can give you a great workout!)
If you have a more extensive indoor garden, with several larger plants, it will obviously take several trips with the watering can. You might choose instead to use a small indoor hose that attaches to the kitchen faucet and has an open/close valve on the other end so you can control the flow when you’re watering.
Finally, if you have an extensive set up on an enclosed balcony or in a dedicated room, and you’re the type of person who forgets to water – or you travel a lot – you might choose to install an automatic drip watering system. These systems save the worry – and time – of watering by hand but they can be complicated – and expensive – to install. Still, you might decide your indoor garden is worth it. [LINK to Section 4 “Indoor Gardening Care & Maintenance”]
Options other than a watering can may not be practical for your home. When deciding where to put your indoor garden or houseplants, keep in mind how you intend to water them.
Indoor Watering: Frequency and Techniques
How often you need to water your plants isn’t a one-size-fits-all answer. The frequency will depend on the size & types of plants you grow as well as their growing conditions. Also, your plants may not need watering on a predictable set schedule (“I’ll water my plants every Sunday afternoon.”) Sometimes they may need watering more frequently, other times less often.
It’s better for plant health to water thoroughly and less frequently than to give plants a little bit of water more often. You don’t want your plants to dry out but you also don’t want to over-water them by giving them water when the soil’s already nice and moist. So it’s important to always check the soil moisture first, before automatically giving a plant another drink. The task of checking the soil moisture will likely be done more frequently than the actual watering itself.
When watering your plants, pour the water evenly over the soil. Try to keep the foliage dry to reduce the risk of disease.
There are several accessories you can purchase to help keep your plants supplied with water to help you extend the time between waterings. These include spikes that attach onto soda or wine bottles, watering bulbs, or wicking systems that suck water into the soil from a separate water reservoir. All these accessories provide a little water to plants over a short period of time. Think of them as “watering assistants” and not a replacement for a regular watering routine.
One option to reduce the time you spend checking and watering your plants is the use of self-watering containers. These are specially-designed pots with built-in water reservoirs that plants can draw on as needed for an extended period of time. You fill the reservoir once, check on the water level gauge every so often and top it up as needed. Rather than watering the plant, you worry about keeping the reservoir full. How often you fill it will depend on the size of the container and the plants, but it will definitely take less maintenance time than checking and watering the same plant by hand on a regular basis.
The longer you have your plants, the more familiar you’ll become with their watering requirements. To start, it’s a good idea to check on your plants at least once a week. They might or might not need watering every time you check – and it will vary with the time of year – but it’s good to get into a regular routine (“I’ll check on my plants Monday and Friday evenings.”) For more information on watering strategies for indoor plants, go to “Indoor Garden Care & Maintenance”
About the Author