Birthday
HydrangeasMost houseplants die not from drought but from poor watering: too often, with water that is too cold or too hard, or without drainage. Here is what water to use, how to tell when a plant needs watering, and what to do if you go away for a week, two weeks or a month.
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What water to use
- Tap water left to stand is the easiest option. Over 24 hours some of the chlorine dissipates and the water reaches room temperature. Chloramine, used in some supplies, does not disappear this way — a carbon filter reduces it.
- Room temperature. Cold water shocks the roots of tropical plants, especially in winter.
- Hard water leaves a white crust on soil and pots. Sensitive plants (calatheas, azaleas, gardenias, orchids) prefer filtered, rain or melted snow water.
- Distilled water is needed for carnivorous plants such as the Venus flytrap.
- Softened water from household softeners is unsuitable because it contains a lot of sodium.
How to tell when to water
- Check the soil with your finger 2–3 cm deep. Dry — water; damp — wait.
- Feel the weight of the pot: it is noticeably heavier after watering.
- Consider the plant. Water cacti and succulents when the soil is completely dry; ferns and calatheas like consistently slightly moist soil.
- Water less in winter — plants grow more slowly and soil dries more slowly in the cool.
- Empty the saucer after 15–20 minutes: standing water is the main cause of root rot.
For plants that dislike water on their leaves or crown (African violets, orchids), water from below: stand the pot in water for 15–30 minutes.
What to do when you go away
Up to a week
- Water all plants thoroughly the day before you leave (except succulents — a normal watering is enough).
- Move pots away from south-facing windows and radiators: less light and heat means less evaporation.
- Group plants together so the air around them stays humid for longer.
- Stand pots on a tray of wet clay pebbles or gravel, without the base sitting in water.
One to two weeks
- Wick watering. Put one end of a cotton or synthetic cord in a container of water and bury the other in the soil. Water travels up the wick as the soil dries.
- Ceramic spikes and bottles. A spike or a plastic bottle with a pierced cap pushed into the soil releases water gradually.
- Self-watering pots with a reservoir and water-level indicator — handy if you travel often.
- Mini greenhouse. Small moisture-loving plants can be covered after watering with a clear bag that doesn't touch the leaves. Not suitable for cacti and succulents.
More than two weeks
The most reliable options are a drip system on a timer or someone who can call in once a week. Leave them simple instructions: which plants, how much water and how often.
The key tip
Test your chosen method a week before you leave: see how much water it uses per day and whether the soil gets waterlogged. That way there are no surprises when you return.
FAQ
Can I use boiled water?
Yes, once cooled to room temperature: boiling reduces temporary water hardness.
How long can a plant survive without water?
Most tropical plants about a week, cacti and succulents 2–3 weeks or more, ferns and calatheas only a few days.
Can I leave plants in a bath of water?
Better not: bathrooms are usually dark, and pots standing in water may rot. A wet towel or clay pebbles in a bright spot is safer.
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Author: Maria Svitlovir
Graduated from Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, Institute of Biology and Medicine (2001). BSc in Biology, MSc in Horticulture. Writes about plants, works at a garden centre selecting and repotting plants, and contributes to plant reference guides.
