Indoor Plant Care: Basic Watering Dos and Don'ts

A unique type of decoration that brings a little bit of nature into a home is an indoor plant. According to research, plants can not only make a space brighter but also the air quality. However, maintaining healthy indoor plants can occasionally be a challenging task, particularly for those who are inexperienced with plant care. Experts say that there is one common error to avoid that could kill indoor plants.

Using Household Items

Even with the best care, an indoor plant can occasionally start to deteriorate. Surprisingly, by using items from around the house, it is possible to save many plants without even going to the store.

Put a sponge under the soil at the bottom of the planter, for instance, if the indoor plant exhibits symptoms of root rot. using a hydrogen peroxide spray to help eradicate the rot-causing bacteria while also releasing oxygen that is good for plants. An Epsom salt solution can assist in reviving plants if they are beginning to turn yellow in between their green veins by supplying crucial magnesium.

However, experts advise against doing one thing when taking care of plants if you want to maintain their health before the plants start to show any signs of distress.

The Most Common Watering Mistake

The most fundamental and important step in taking care of houseplants is to keep them adequately hydrated. If a routine is not followed, indoor greenery may be doomed from the start. But according to Christopher Satch, a professor and plant scientist at the New York Botanical Garden, the health of the plants can also be impacted by the water's temperature. He advised to use lukewarm water instead of cold from the tap when watering plants to prevent shocking them.

Watering Can Preparations

Even a small amount of water that is warmer than lukewarm should not be used to water plants. According to the plant care blog Family, Food + Garden, hot water can harm the roots of even comparatively hardy plants.

It is preferable to imitate natural conditions and temper all water to room temperature before giving it to the plants. Using two watering cans alternately is one of the best ways to accomplish this. One can should be filled well before the scheduled watering and left inside the house to warm up. When it's time to water, then, fill the empty watering can and set it aside for the following cycle before grabbing the ready-made room temperature batch and hydrating the plants.

Read also: Indoor Houseplants Can Significantly Improve Air Quality, New Research Reveals 

Ice Cube Trick

Since overwatering can also be a problem, many lovers of indoor plants have taken to using "the ice cube trick" to give plants a steady supply of moisture without drowning the roots and harming them. The hack is best suited for orchids rather than other house plants, despite the fact that it has helped some people find a convenient way to care for their plants. The melted cube's cold water still has the potential to shock the plant's roots or harm its leaves or stalk if it comes into contact with them.

Satch suggests checking the plants every few days by sticking a finger into the soil up to the second knuckle for anyone worried about overwatering. Wait another day before watering again, he advises, if it even appears to be slightly damp.

Satch advises taking your time and making sure you only water indoor plants enough to dampen the soil, not flood it. The trick, Satch emphasizes, is to mimic nature.

Related article: Common Houseplants Aren't Just for Aesthetic, They Help Fight Air Pollution