How to Water Plants: 20 Essential Tips

Houseplantscontainer plantsvegetable gardenslawnsand ornamentals have specific watering needs. In many casestoo much water can be just as damaging as not enough. Knowing how much and how often to water will help you raise healthyattractiveand productive plants in the most effective and efficient way. 

Check plant tags or look online to learn each plant's water requirementsand follow these tips to learn how to water your plants in a variety of conditions.

1. Water Thirsty Plants Immediately

When a planteven if it is well-establishedlooks wilted and under drought stresswater it right away. Always check the soil firstthough: often plants look stressed and droopy because they've been overwatered.

2. Water When the Soil Is Dry

For all other plantswater when the soil is dry. To checkstick your index finger in the soil about two inches deep. Note that not every plant needs to be watered and will die when the soil is dry; there are many drought-tolerant plants. If you don't know your plants' water needscheck the plant tag or look up the plant online.

Some plantslike succulentsprefer for the soil to dry out between wateringswhile other plants need consistently moist soil.

3. Don’t Water Cool-Season Grasses

If your lawn consists of cool-season grasses such as Kentucky bluegrassperennial ryegrassfine fescueand tall fescuethese go into dormancy in hot and dry summer weather—a protective mechanism that allows the grasses to survive dry spells.

A newly planted lawnhoweveris differentit needs regular watering when the soil is dry to get established. Do not let newly seeded grasses dry out—keep seeds moist.

4. Give Vegetable Gardens One Inch of Water Weekly

In the absence of sufficient rainyou need to water your vegetable gardens or raised beds with at least one inch of water every week. In hot climatesyou may need to water more often. Check the soil—stick your finger into the soil one inch deep. If it's moistthere's no need to water.

5. Adjust Watering to the Type of Plant and Garden Soil

The required amount of water depends on the type of plantits sizeageand your local climate. The type of soil is also a determining factor in the amount you need to water. Sandy soil drains much more quickly than clay soilso it will need more frequent watering. Mature plants may be more drought tolerant than young plants.

6. Water Plants at the Base

Let the water go right to the center of the root system by targeting the base of the plant with the nozzle of a hose or watering can. Overhead watering with a hose is not only a waste of waterbut wet leaves can also precipitate the spread of fungal diseases.

Treeswith their extensive root systemsneed watering in a wider areabeneath the entire canopy and extending several feet beyond the drip linebut start with the centeror root ball. Getting the ball soaked is always the first step.

7. Water Early in the Morning

The early morning hours are the best time to water. Morning is preferable because the plant can dry before the sun goes downensuring water doesn't just sit on the soil. If you water in the evening and water doesn't have time to absorb in or evaporatethis can encourage rot or fungal growthcausing damage to your plant.

8. Water Deeply

Watering deeply and infrequently is much better than shallowly and oftenbecause the water needs to reach the roots. Alsowatering deeply will train and encourage the plant to seek out water deeper and farther from the root ball.

9. Slowly Soak Dry Soil

When the soil is dryit is important to slowly soak the first top inches at a very low watering volumeotherwise the water will just run off. Once the water seeps into the soilyou can increase the watering volume.

10. Always Water New Plants

During the first year after plantingall newly planted treesshrubsand perennials need more frequentregular watering than established plants and need to be watered in the absence of rain. Some trees may even need a couple of years or more to get established.

11. Water Seeds and Seedlings at Least Daily

Vegetableflowerand grass seedsas well as young seedlings also need watering at regular intervals. Water dailyas often as twice a day in the absence of rainand even more in hotdry weather.

Seeds easily dry out during germination and young seedlings are much less resistant to heat and dryness than established plants. Always check the soil first to see if water is needed. Too much water can also harm seeds and seedlings.

12. Water Seeds and Seedlings Gently but Broadly

Water seeds and seedlings gently with a fine spray nozzle so you don’t wash out the seeds or knock over tender seedlings. Water them broadly to get the entire soil area wet (the rule of targeted watering does not apply to seeds and seedlings).

13. Water Outdoor Container Plants at Least Daily

Container plants need much more and frequent watering than plants in the ground. On hot dayswater them dailyor even twice a day. Check the soil first.

How fast the soil of container plants dries out depends on the type of container. Metalterra-cottaand coir (the material used for hanging baskets) dry out especially fastso keep an eye on those. Alsosun exposure of the container greatly increases the rate of evaporation.

When planting in containersremember to always choose a container with a drainage hole and saucer to avoid root rot.

14. Water Outdoor Plants With Tap or Rain Water

For outdoor plantswell waterrain waterand tap water are absolutely fine. The chlorine in tap water does not affect outdoor plants because the amount is so small that it does not impact the growth of microorganisms in the soil.

15. Don’t Let Houseplants Sit in Water

Empty the trays of houseplants to avoid having them sitting in waterwhich can cause root rot.

16. Water Houseplants with Tepid Water

For houseplantsthe water should ideally be at room temperature. Ice-cold water can damage their roots.

 17. Remove Chlorine When Watering Houseplants

While tap water is also fine for most houseplantssome are sensitive to chlorine and fluoride. You can easily remove chlorine from tap water by letting it sit in an open vessel for a day to let it evaporate. Fluoride cannot be removed from the watertherefore sensitive plants should be watered with rain waterdistilled wateror the water from a dehumidifier.

18. Do Not Water Houseplants With Softened Water

If you have a water softener in your hometap water is not suitable for houseplants due to its salt content. Use water from an outdoor spigot or water the plants with rainwater.

19. Mulch to Cut Down on Watering

The best thing to cut down on watering is mulchingwhich not only retains moisture in the soil but also keeps the soil cool and suppresses weeds.

20. Choose Plants With Low Watering Needs

Plants introduced from other continents often have high watering requirements. Consider native and xeriscape plantswhich are much better adapted to your local climate.

Signs You're Overwatering Your Plants

While all plants need water (and some love it more than others)too much of a good thing can be detrimental. Take care not to overwater your plantsespecially those that have low water needs. Overwatering can lead to diseases such as root rotwhich could kill your plant. Signs of overwatering include leaves that are brownyellowor falling off. If you notice changes to the leavescheck the roots. Roots that are slimygrey in coloror appear to be rotting are probably experiencing root rot. If you think you've overwatered your plantlet the plant dry out completely before starting over with the above tips and techniques.