10 Tips For Watering Plants Growing In Containers

Every gardener in the world knows that one of the most difficult things about gardening is getting plants to grow well in containers. There are a lot of tricks you can use, but some are just easier than others. For example, placing your plant under natural sunlight or next to a window makes watering much easier and more effective. Before you introduce plants indoors, you’ll first have to ensure that the conditions are right. You don’t want the plants to be the reason for mold in your home. That’s why you should be getting in touch with Healthy Home Environmental Services. Here are some tips for watering plants growing in containers.

Know The Plants

It’s imperative to know the plants in your home. Different plants have different water requirements. You don’t want to go overboard with the watering. You will equip yourself with knowledge of how to care for the various types, what light they thrive in, and what water needs they have. 

This information will serve you well in all aspects of gardening from selecting plants for your garden to just being a well-rounded homeowner who has the knowledge to identify good flowers when walking down the street.

Types Of Containers

First is the type of container you use. Not all pots are made equally, and the choice you make can make or break your plants’ health. Clay pots are great at retaining water, but they also hold onto salt that may have been used to sterilize them during production. 

Selecting The Right Soil

Just because the plants are in containers doesn’t mean that you can go with any soil. Potting soils tend to drain faster, which could have severe implications on the plant’s water needs grown in the container. You should also not fill the containers with the garden soil from your yard.

Actively aerated, loose, fast-draining soil could be a good choice to use in flower pots. Often they are known as BXB soils. They are very effective, especially when used for containers that are large in size and over 6 inches wide. This type of potting soil provides excellent drainage and can repel the excess water from the plants, thus preventing waterlogging.

Soil shouldn’t Get Dry Between Waterings

 Never allow the soil to get dry between waterings. It does not take much water to cause waterlogging of a container: it’s only a matter of time before your plant becomes unhealthy and dies. After watering, you should be able to shake the soil back and forth between your fingers without any resistance, or the soil feels light and fluffy.

Always Check Moisture Levels

You should only water plants in the container when it’s necessary. Too much water is just as bad as no water at all. Even if the surface soil seems dry, there could be moisture underneath. Moisture meters are a great way to measure how much moisture is in the soil. You can buy one online or at your local gardening store.

Establish A Watering Routine

Another hack would be to establish a routine for watering your plants. You can research the water requirements so that the plants are not overwatered or underwatered. Look at the requirements for your specific plants and look for any commonalities. If you know that they all like soil with a pH of 6.5, consider using an additive to raise or lower the pH. If several plants have similar requirements, it may be easier to mix them versus having several pots on your balcony.

Water Deeply

Container plants need to be watered deeply if they’re to grow and flourish. The water should be seen coming from the holes and drains. You know you’ve not done a good job if there is no water flowing from the bottom. When you drench the container, there is an increased chance that the water will spread through the entire root system.

Height of the Plants

Next is the height you determine for your plants. Keep in mind that if you employ a watering method other than by hose, plant life will wilt or die earlier than it would have in a regular pot. This is because plants in a pot will dry out slower than planted in the ground. When using a hose, it is best to water with a light mist, or you could wash away the fertilizer or lose the moisture from soil and plants too quickly.

Don’t Rely on the Rain

Rain is not always reliable. If it doesn’t rain for a few days, you might find your plant withers away. Relying on the rain for plants watering can be a disaster. If it does not rain for a period of time, the soil will dry, and you may end up with a very unhealthy plant.