Happy Houseplants How-To! Watering Tips

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Watering: How Hard Can It Be?

Even in a sunny spot, houseplants get far less light than their outdoor counterparts. This means that they grow more slowly, and need a lot less water.

The most common cause of sick houseplants that we see at Hoerr Nursery is overwatering, which eventually leads to root rot and death. Fortunately, this sad outcome is easy to avoid! In this issue, we'll talk about watering and humidity.

Don't Kill Your Houseplants With Kindness!

There's no way to effectively water your houseplants on a schedule. Every plant and location will be different, so get to know your houseplants!

For most plants, once the soil is half dried out, it's time to water again.

The easiest way to judge this is to stick your finger into the soil and then lift the pot up, to get used to how heavy it feels at different moisture levels. After awhile you won't have to stick your finger into the dirt anymore.

If you have a cactus or a succulent (including Sansevieria, which are a kind of succulent,) let the plant dry out entirely before giving it a good soaking.

It's a Jungle: Humidity for Your Houseplants

Most houseplants come from hot, tropical areas of the world where the humidity averages around 70%. While they appreciate cozy indoor temperatures during the winter, these types of plants don't appreciate the 30-50% humidity that comes with forced air heating and air conditioning systems.

Plants that have a reputation for "sulking" when moved such as Croton and Fiddle Leaf Fig are often sensitive to low humidity.

Symptoms of Low Humidity Damage:

-The plant is struggling to put out new growth
-Leaf tips are turning brown
-Blooming houseplants may fail to bloom, or bloom sparsely

Cacti and succulents have built-in tolerance to low humidity, but most other types of houseplants will benefit from an increase in humidity (and if "alligator skin" and split-ends plague you during the winter, you might too!)

A Humidity How-To

1. Get a humidifier

This is the method that occurs to most people first. If the idea of less dry winter air appeals to you, go for it! Be aware that over-watered plants will actually suffer from high humidity, because it will be harder for them to transpire. (Release water vapor through their leaves.)

2. Group your plants together

When plants that are placed within a foot of one another transpire, they create a more humid micro climate for each other. For extra humidity, hide open containers of water among the plants. You can even put plants with similar needs in a container arrangement together.

3. Put your plants on a pebble tray

This method is low-tech, but the drier the air gets, the better it works! Fill a drainage tray with small rocks, pebbles or marbles, fill it almost to the top of the stones with water, and set your plants on top. Be careful not to allow the plant to sit in water- the idea is for the pot to sit just above the water level. Refill the tray as needed. (You'll be surprised how fast it evaporates!)

What About Misting?

You'll read lots of recommendations to mist your plants to increase humidity.

Don't do it!

Wet leaves attract both pathogens and fungal infection, and dusty plants have a harder time absorbing the light they need. If you see your plants accumulating a layer of dust, wipe them down with a microfiber cloth or a barely moist rag. If you have a plant with fuzzy leaves, such as an African Violet, use a dry paint brush to remove dust.

Got a Houseplant Question?

We hope that our houseplant placement guide last week and this week's watering and humidity tips have been helpful. If you've got specific questions about your houseplants, you're always welcome to send us a message!

Make the holiday season bright with workshops at Hoerr Nursery! We'll show you how to decorate your own Christmas wreath or porch pot, with all materials provided. Workshops will be held in the garden house. Face masks are required. We'll be spacing parties farther apart this year, so availability is limited. Sign up to save your spot!