How to Water Plants Properly — The Complete Guide
Water plants properly — The complete guide
How often, how much, what kind of water? Everything you need to know about watering houseplants
The question “How often should I water?” can’t be answered in a one-size-fits-all way — because it depends on dozens of factors. But with a few basic rules, watering becomes routine instead of guesswork.
The golden rule
Don’t water on a fixed schedule — water as needed instead. “Water every Monday” doesn’t work, because water needs depend on temperature, light, pot size, substrate, and plant type. Instead: check whether your plant actually needs water.
The finger test — simple and reliable
- Insert your finger 2–3 cm into the soil
- Moist? Don’t water. Wait.
- Dry? Water.
- For succulents/cacti: The soil should be completely dry before watering again.
- For tropical plants (Monstera, Calathea): The top 2 cm should be dry, while deeper down it can still be slightly moist.
Alternative to the finger test: Stick a wooden skewer into the soil and pull it out after a few minutes. Damp = dark wood. Dry = light wood. Or: lift the plant in its pot — light = dry, heavy = still moist.
Watering methods
Watering from above (standard)
Water the soil slowly and evenly until water runs out of the drainage hole. After 30 minutes, pour away any remaining water in the saucer. Advantage: Simple. Disadvantage: The surface stays moist longer (risk of fungus gnats).
Watering from below (soaking)
Place the pot in a bowl of water and let it soak up water for about 20–30 minutes. The soil draws the water up from below. Then let it drain. Advantage: Even moisture, with the surface staying drier. Ideal for: African violets, succulents, plants with delicate leaves.
Misting
Not a substitute for watering! But tropical plants (Calathea, ferns) love higher humidity. Mist the leaves regularly — especially in winter, when indoor heating dries out the air.
Which water should you use?
- Room-temperature tap water: Completely sufficient for most plants.
- Standing water: Let it sit overnight — the chlorine evaporates, and the lime settles at the bottom. Helpful if you have hard water.
- Rainwater: Ideal — lime-free and pH-neutral. Perfect for plants that are sensitive to lime (hydrangeas, azaleas, rhododendrons).
- No cold water: Cold water can shock tropical plants. Always water with room-temperature water.
Recognizing and saving overwatered plants
Too much water is the most common cause of death in houseplants. Signs include:
- Yellow, soft leaves (not to be confused with dry, brown leaves = too little water)
- Mushy, brown roots (healthy roots are white or light brown and firm)
- Mold on the surface of the soil
- Musty smell coming from the pot
- Fungus gnats (small black flies — they love moist soil)
First aid for overwatering: Take the plant out of the pot, cut off any mushy roots, let it dry on newspaper (for a few hours), then repot it in fresh, dry soil. Water carefully again only after a few days.
Watering by season
- Spring/Summer (March–September): Growing season — more water and light. Water more often and fertilize regularly.
- Autumn/Winter (October–February): Dormant period — water much less. Most plants need only half as much water in winter. Do not fertilize.
- Heating season: Dry indoor heating makes the soil dry out faster — but the plant is resting at the same time. The key is finding the right balance: do the finger test instead of watering by routine.
Plants at MO BLUMEN Vienna
Easy-care houseplants with care instructions — delivered throughout Vienna.
Frequently Asked Questions
In summer, about every 7–10 days; in winter, every 2–3 weeks. But don’t water by the calendar — always do the finger test. Monstera likes slightly moist soil, but never wet. It’s better to water thoroughly once than to give it just a little bit often.
For most houseplants, tap water is perfectly fine. Some plants that are sensitive to limescale (hydrangeas, azaleas, orchids) prefer soft water — in that case, let the water stand or use filtered water. Rainwater is ideal for all plants.
Up to 1 week: Water thoroughly before you leave and place them in a cooler, partially shaded spot. Up to 2 weeks: Use watering globes or the PET bottle trick (insert an upside-down bottle with a small hole in the cap into the soil). From 3 weeks onward: Ask a neighbor for help or install an automatic watering system (drip irrigation). A bathtub lined with damp towels also works well.