by Daniel Brinker

There are so many things to remember when it comes to your houseplants.

Which plant needs sun?

Which prefers shade?

Do ZZ Plants need fertilizer weekly, or not at all?

It can feel overwhelming at times, but at least one thing is easy: plants need water. All you have to do is remember to water them occasionally. Easy enough.

While that is true, there are plenty of tips and tricks to remember when it comes to watering your beloved houseplants. We’re not going to get into specific plants’ individual needs today, so please remember that these tips are more generalized. Make sure that you’re still keeping up on each of your houseplants’ care tips when it comes to how much water they need!

Follow these tips to water your houseplants the RIGHT way!

Use room temperature water

Cold water can shock a plant’s roots and hot water can damage the leaves. Room temperature water will keep your plants healthy and happy. If needed, let water sit out overnight before using it!

Water the soil

Make sure to water the soil of your plant and avoid the leaves. Watering the leaves has the potential to lead to fungal diseases and can damage your plants.

Use watering cans

Use a watering can when watering to help control the amount of water being used, and to better aim your water stream. It’s easy to not pay attention to how much water you may be giving your plant when it’s freely pouring out of the faucet.

Water early in the day

Whenever possible, water your plants in the morning. This allows the water to soak into the soil and be absorbed by the roots before the heat of the day causes evaporation.

Reuse aquarium water

If you have an aquarium in your home, use aquarium water to water your plants! The fish waste and uneaten food in an aquarium contain nitrogen, phosphorus, and other nutrients that can encourage plant growth. This tip works wonders, but make sure you have a clean aquarium and healthy fish before giving the water to your plants! (And avoid using aquarium water on succulents or cacti!)

Learn your plant's specific needs

The amount of water your plant needs will depend on the plant type, size, and the environment the plant is in. It’s important to research your specific plants’ needs to determine how much and how frequently to water them. If you're ever unsure, check out The Plant Dads' pages for watering information, or just send us a message and ask!

Combining the knowledge of your plants' needs with these tips will have your plants thriving in no time!

Now that you have all this new plant know-how, let's shop for a new plant!