Are you watering your plants the right way? With plants having so many different needs, it can be difficult to know. However, most problems people have with their houseplants are caused by how and when they're watering them. To help prevent frustration and unhappy plants, here is a simple guide to the most common watering mistakes and how to avoid them:
The most common reason houseplants die is because they were overwatered. While each plant has different needs, the most common types of houseplants require infrequent watering--some even prefer to dry out entirely. Succulents, cacti and aroids like pothos and monstera are all examples of plants you should water sparingly to avoid root rot and other problems.
To avoid overwatering, the best thing to do is check the soil. You can do this several ways, but a simple moisture meter is worth the investment. You can also use wooden skewers or chopsticks and check the soil like you would when baking a cake: if the stick comes out dry, it's ready for watering. Some plants will also communicate their water needs with drooping or wrinkled leaves. Learning the signs of your specific plants' thirst will help you keep them happy.
Many popular houseplants are tropical and enjoy high humidity. These plants thrive when placed near humidifers or given regular spritzes with a spray bottle. However, there are also many that need their leaves to stay dry to stay healthy. Succulents and cacti are prime examples of plants you should water not only sparingly, but very carefully.
Water the soil at the base of the plant and not the plant itself. Doing so will prevent mildew, wilting and other issues caused by excess moisture on the plant's surface. Consider using a watering can with a long, narrow spout so you can aim the water precisely. For very small pots, a plastic squeeze bottle with a bent tube works wonders.
Each houseplant is unique, and some hard-and-fast rules don't always apply. However, if you keep these two watering tips in mind, you'll keep your plants happy, healthy and hydrated no matter what their specific needs are.
I'm John Mahan, Sales Associate with William Raveis Real Estate, Harwich Port Office.
Throughout his childhood, John Mahan spent summers on Cape Cod at his parents’ home in Dennis Port. His intro to the Cape was, as he puts it, when his parents “carried me down the stairs at Sea Street Beach when I was a week old.” With a lifelong connection to Cape Cod, it seemed only natural for John and his wife, Mary, to move to Harwich – where they still reside – with their two young children in 1996.
Prior to moving to Cape Cod, John lived in the Worcester-Auburn area where he worked for Mass Electric for 10 years and was a member of the International Brotherhood of Utility Workers. When John and his family moved to the Cape, he worked at NSTAR for six years.
John began his career in real estate in 2002 when he joined Team Waystack Realty in Harwich Port. He has been a consistent top producing realtor in the Harwich area for the past 20 years. John’s approachable demeanor, combined with an integral understanding of the Cape Cod residential real estate market, have allowed him to build trusting, long-term relationships with his clients – both sellers and buyers.
