When it comes to caring for houseplants, one of the most common questions is how often you should water them. Some people claim that watering houseplants twice a day leads to faster growth and healthier plants. But is more water really better when it comes to indoor plants? Here we’ll look at the pros and cons of watering houseplants twice daily versus a more moderate watering schedule.
Quick Answer: It Depends on the Plant
The quick answer is that it depends entirely on the type of houseplant. Some plants do best with frequent watering, while others prefer their soil to dry out a bit between waterings. Watering twice a day is only recommended for certain houseplants that require consistently moist soil, like ferns. Most common houseplants will do best with a thorough watering once the top inch or two of soil has dried out. Watering too much can lead to issues like root rot.
The Benefits of Watering Plants Twice a Day
There are some potential benefits to watering indoor plants twice daily:
- Keeps soil consistently moist for plants that prefer it
- Can encourage faster growth in some plants
- Prevents wilting in between waterings
- Leaches out mineral buildup from tap water
For plants like ferns and peace lilies that thrive in damp soil, watering twice per day will keep the soil moisture level ideal. Some plants may also grow more quickly with very frequent watering since nutrients and moisture are always available. Twice daily watering prevents the soil from drying out completely, so it eliminates the risk of temporary wilting.
Prevents Wilting
Some indoor plants like prayer plants are prone to wilting temporarily if their soil dries out. Watering twice per day can prevent this issue. However, allowing temporary wilting generally doesn’t harm the plant as long as you water promptly after noticing it.
Leaches Out Mineral Buildup
Frequent heavy watering tends to flush out any mineral deposits that accumulate from tap water and fertilizer. This can help prevent leaf tip burn and other issues caused by mineral buildup over time.
The Downsides of Watering Indoor Plants Twice Daily
While more frequent watering has some benefits for certain plants, it also comes with some drawbacks:
- Can lead to overwatering issues like root rot
- Plants may become dependent on frequent watering
- Excess moisture encourages fungal diseases
- Requires more time and effort
- May leach nutrients from the soil
The biggest risk with watering houseplants twice daily is overwatering. Even plants that prefer moist soil can develop issues like root rot if they are watered too much. And plants like succulents and cacti that prefer drier conditions will suffer if watered multiple times per day.
Can Lead to Root Rot
Root rot is one of the most common problems that arises from overwatering. When soil stays soggy for too long, the roots are deprived of air. This causes them to become mushy and die back. Even plants adapted to moist soil can develop root rot if watered excessively.
Plants May Become Dependent
If plants get used to very frequent watering, they may not adapt well if you later reduce the frequency. This can make it hard to go on vacation or reduce your watering schedule without harming the plants.
Encourages Fungal Diseases
Excess moisture on leaves and soggy soil creates the perfect environment for fungal diseases like powdery mildew and botrytis. Keeping plants too wet raises the risk of these harmful diseases taking hold.
Requires More Time
Watering indoor plants twice per day takes up more time. You also have to monitor the plants and soil moisture level more closely to avoid overwatering issues.
May Leach Nutrients
Finally, very frequent watering can wash nutrients out of the soil before plants have a chance to absorb them. This may require more frequent fertilizing.
Best Practices for Watering Houseplants
When it comes to indoor plant care, there are some best practices to follow for watering:
- Water thoroughly until water drains from the pot’s drainage holes whenever the top 1-2 inches of soil become dry.
- Adjust watering frequency and volume based on factors like sunlight, humidity, temperature, and season.
- Water less in low light and cooler conditions when plants grow more slowly.
- Allow soil to dry out further between waterings in winter when growth slows.
- Pour off excess water that collects in saucers so plants don’t sit in it.
- Consider bottom-watering plants to prevent disease and encourage deep root growth.
Following these best practices prevents overwatering and encourages healthy roots and growth. While some plants prefer consistently moist soil, watering 1-2 times per week is generally sufficient for most houseplants.
Adjust for Growing Conditions
Plants in warm, sunny locations usually need more frequent watering than those in cooler, dim spots. Also water more in summer when plants are actively growing and less in winter when growth slows.
Bottom-Water for Healthy Roots
Bottom-watering by placing the pot in a bowl of water for 15-30 minutes encourages roots to grow downwards into the soil. It also reduces risk of fungal diseases.
How Often Should You Water Common Houseplants?
Here is a look at approximate watering frequency guidelines for some popular houseplants:
| Houseplant | Watering Guideline |
| Succulents | Every 2-3 weeks |
| Snake Plant | When top 2″ of soil dries |
| Pothos | When top 1-2″ of soil dries |
| Peace Lily | When top 1″ of soil dries |
| Chinese Evergreen | When top 1-2″ of soil dries |
| Dracaena | When top 1-2″ of soil dries |
| Ficus | When top 1-2″ of soil dries |
| Croton | When top 1″ of soil dries |
| Calathea | When top 1″ of soil dries |
| Ferns | Keep soil consistently moist |
| Palms | When top 1-2″ of soil dries |
These are general guidelines that may need to be adjusted based on your specific growing conditions. The best way to determine when your individual plants need water is to check the soil moisture a few inches below the surface.
Signs That Indoor Plants Need Water
Don’t just rely on a set watering schedule – look for these signs your houseplants are thirsty:
- Soil is dry when you insert your finger an inch or two deep
- Pot feels light when lifted
- Leaves appear limp, droopy or curled
- Leaf tips are brown and crispy
- Leaves are dull rather than glossy
- Growth is slowed
Pay attention to the soil moisture and the plant’s appearance and growth rate. With experience, you will get a feel for when your plants need to be watered based on subtle signs of thirst.
Dry Soil and Light Pot
Sticking your finger in the soil and lifting the pot are the best ways to check if watering is needed. If the soil is dry 1-2 inches down and the pot feels lightweight when lifted, it’s time to water thoroughly.
Wilting and Crispy Leaves
If leaves start to wilt, curl, or get brown crispy edges, it indicates the plant is stressed and needs a drink. However, some plants show temporary wilting between waterings.
Tools to Help Get Watering Right
Taking the guesswork out of watering with tools like the following can help prevent over or under-watering:
- Soil moisture meters – These tools have probes you insert in the soil to get a readout of the moisture level from dry to wet.
- Self-watering pots – These contain reservoirs that release water into the soil as needed to maintain moisture.
- Smart plant sensors – These monitor soil moisture and notify you when watering is needed.
Taking advantage of tools that measure soil moisture takes the guesswork out of deciding when to water. You’ll have less chance of letting plants get too dry or keeping them too wet.
Soil Moisture Meters
A soil moisture meter with a probe is an inexpensive and easy way to monitor if your plants need water. Insert it into the soil and the readout will indicate wet or dry conditions.
Self-Watering Pots
Self-watering containers have reservoirs in the base that wick water up into the soil as needed. This maintains an ideal moisture level for many weeks without any work.
Common Problems From Watering Plants Too Much
Giving indoor plants too much water can lead to several issues over time, including:
- Lower leaves turning yellow and dropping
- Stunted, slow growth
- Mushy, rotten roots from root rot
- Mold or fungus on the soil or plants
- Leaves that are green and lush but small
- Spots or curled areas on leaves
If your plants are showing any of these symptoms, cut back on watering frequency. Allow the pot to dry out more between waterings. Repotting may also be required to treat root rot.
Root Rot
The most serious issue caused by overwatering is root rot. This causes the roots to turn brown and mushy so they are unable to absorb water and nutrients. The plant wilts frequently and may eventually die.
Yellow Lower Leaves
If older leaves near the base of the plant turn yellow and drop off, it’s often a sign of overwatering. The roots have trouble absorbing nutrients, causing the lower leaves to yellow and fall.
Problems Caused by Under-Watering
Not watering indoor plants frequently enough can also create some issues:
- Dry, shriveled leaves
- Leaf drop
- Brown leaf tips and edges
- Slow growth
- Wilting between waterings
- Leaf curling
Plants that are underwatered will show signs of dehydration like shriveled, spotted leaves. Growth will slow and leaves may be small and fall off easily. Increase watering frequency if these issues occur.
Brown Crispy Leaf Tips
When the soil dries out too much between waterings, you may notice browning along the leaf tips and edges. This happens first on lower leaves. It indicates the plant needs more frequent watering.
Wilting Between Waterings
Some indoor plants prone to temporary wilting may show drooping leaves if the soil gets too dry. However, this should recover after watering thoroughly.
Key Takeaways
To summarize the key points on watering indoor plants:
- Watering frequency depends on factors like the plant type, light levels, and temperature.
- Soil should be allowed to dry out between waterings for most plants.
- Check soil moisture and look for signs of thirst like wilting to determine when plants need water.
- Water thoroughly until it drains out the bottom when soil is partly dry.
- Cut back on watering during winter and in low light conditions.
- Watering 1-2 times per week is sufficient for most common houseplants.
- Avoid watering too frequently, which can lead to issues like root rot.
Getting familiar with how your specific plants respond will help you determine the optimal watering regimen. Investing in tools like moisture meters takes the guesswork out of deciding when to water indoor plants.
Conclusion
Watering houseplants twice a day is generally overkill and can do more harm than good. While a few moisture-loving plants like ferns may enjoy frequent watering, most indoor varieties do best when you allow the soil to partially dry out between waterings. The exceptions are young plants and those growing in hot or dry conditions who may need more frequent hydration. Aim to water most indoor plants only when the top inch or two of soil has dried out rather than sticking to a rigid schedule. Pay attention to cues the plant gives through drooping leaves or changes in growth rate. With proper attention to soil moisture and the plant’s appearance, you can maintain healthy, thriving indoor plants without needing to water them more than 1-2 times per week.
