· 4 min read
How often should you water indoor plants?
Overwatering kills more houseplants than anything else. Here’s how to tell when your plant actually needs a drink.
There’s no single schedule that suits every plant. How much water a plant needs depends on the plant, its pot, the light it gets and the air in your home, and air conditioning makes indoor air in Kuwait very dry. Instead of watering by the calendar, learn to check.
Check the soil first
Push a finger about two to three centimetres into the soil. If it feels dry, it’s time to water; if it’s still damp, wait a day or two and check again. Lifting the pot helps too: a dry pot feels noticeably lighter.
Water deeply, then let it drain
When you water, water slowly until it runs out of the drainage holes, so the whole root ball gets wet. Empty the saucer after a few minutes. Roots sitting in water can rot.
Signs you’re watering too much or too little
- Too much: yellowing lower leaves, soft stems, soil that never dries, a musty smell
- Too little: drooping leaves that perk up after watering, crispy brown edges, soil pulling away from the pot
Adjust with the seasons
Plants grow faster and drink more in the warmer months and slow down in winter. Expect to water less often from about November to February, and keep checking the soil rather than the calendar.
