Houseplants Care - Watering Tips and Guide

Houseplants have the wondrous ability to gain most of what they need to thrive through elements in the soil and natural sunlight. The houseplant however does not have the luxury that its outdoor counterparts do in regards to obtaining much needed water. Therefore, houseplants must depend solely on the gardeners hand to provide this essential nutrient.

Many garden professionals believe that over fifty percent of the houseplants in the world receive improper watering. Mistakes such as over watering can lead to disease and root rot, while under watering can have severe effects as well. However, with a little research and a few helpful tips, watering your plants with the proper amount and at the proper time can easily become a reality.

Garden enthusiasts whether novice or seasoned professional can all agree that purchasing a tool called a Hygrometer can truly be worth its weight in gold. This handy tool allows the plant owner to receive a more accurate water level reading of the plants soil. This lets the gardener regulate the amount of water given to ascertain the plant is taken care of. These useful tools can vary in price as some can be as cheap as a few dollars while others come with a steep price tag; but even a cheap gadget will still provide the necessary information a plant owner needs.

The Hygrometer comes in several varieties, including one that has a digital display. This makes for a much easier reading of the water level in the soil. In addition, there are also some that come with a handy thermometer. This little addition is perfect for testing soil temperature which is another very important factor in the healthy growth of your plants.

If you are a true believer in the old tried and true methods of water level testing, here are a few ways to accomplish it.

One method that has been used for many years is the finger test. By simply placing your finger on the soils surface and applying a slight amount of pressure, you can determine if the soil is wet or dry. This method also allows you to feel the texture of the soil. If the soil is sponge-like, it has moisture, if the soil is hard and resistant, the soil is dry and lacking much needed moisture.

Another simple and inexpensive tool for water level testing is a tongue depressor or wooden chopstick. By simply inserting the wood into the soil, then withdrawing it, you should be able to see signs of moisture. If there is moisture beneath the surface, it will be taken up by the wood and the wood will show a darker hue. While it is true that surface moisture will be absorbed into the wooden tester, if done quickly, the surface water absorption will only count as a very small amount of the moisture collected.

Another great way to see how much water a particular plant requires is to use the old saucer method. Just fill the one third of the saucer and put it at the base of the plant. Keep doing it until there is moisture in the saucer. This process allows the water to be absorbed through capillary action from the drainage holes. Make sure to keep track of how much water was actually absorbed. This will give you a pretty accurate measurement of how much water your specific plant/soil/pot requires.

Finally, there is another way to reduce stressing the plant. Everything has a certain amount of weight to it, thus wet soil will weigh more than dry soil. After applying a water regiment discussed above, weigh your plant. After performing this routine several times, you are certain to get a feel for the accurate amount of water your plant requires. By now, you would not need to use the weighing test anymore.

Although you have ascertained the amount of moisture the plant needs, other issues can cause that measurement of moisture to fluctuate. Factors such as soil composition, humidity, seasonal changes and temperature changes are things that can change a plants water requirement. Following a few guidelines combined with some accurate testing methods can help ensure a safe and healthy plant all year long.