Tips for watering plants in pots and planters

Knowing the needs of your specimens or monitoring soil moisture are just some basic guidelines to keep in mind when watering potted plants and window boxes in your home.

The first thing you should know is that planting flowers in the garden is not the same as planting them in a coquettish pot on the balcony. The weather conditions or the sunlight to which they are exposed may be similar. But the soil will behave differently, even more so if we are talking about indoor plants.

In any case, you should know that there are basically three irrigation systems that you can choose for your pots and planters. The type of plant will determine which is the most appropriate. The traditional method -the most commonly used- is from above.

With a watering can, hose or bottle, water is applied directly to the substrate, that is, to the soil. It is important to avoid contact with the leaves, since an excess of humidity can cause fungus or deterioration of the leaves.

Other formulas you can use to water potted plants are immersion or the saucer system. The latter is indicated for bulbs or plants whose stems and leaves are particularly sensitive to humidity.

In these cases it is the roots that absorb the necessary amount of water so, for the system to be effective, you should not leave the plates full and forget about it, but put them on for a few minutes and remove the excess water to avoid damaging the roots.

Lack of irrigation can cause the total loss of the plant, but excessive humidity is also a frequent cause of its deterioration or the appearance of fungi that can have devastating effects.

If what you want is not to have to devote too much attention to the irrigation chapter, you can always choose to automate the task. A drip irrigation system that includes a programmer and a timer will make the task much easier.

Knowing the water needs of your plants is the best guarantee that your pots and planters will always look their best. In general, many species prefer to grow in wet soil but do not tolerate excessive humidity. Observation can be your best reference when it comes to adjusting watering in each case, although it is also a good idea to consult with the experts at your garden center.

If you have recently purchased specimens, keep the label that accompanies them. In many cases it contains valuable information and recommendations for plant care.

Another tip that will be very useful when watering plants in pots or planters has to do with the soil itself. Nowadays there are a multitude of mixtures specially designed for this type of containers, although it is important to bear in mind that they do not always absorb water efficiently. Try to water slowly and deeply, so that the water penetrates the soil.

Although the soil should not be allowed to dry out completely before watering again, at least the first layer should be dry. You can use moisture meters to control the level in each case, although observation will also be a great ally.

Choosing the best time of day to water is also important. Generally, watering first thing in the morning will prevent water from evaporating too quickly but will give your plants a chance to rid themselves of excess moisture as the day progresses.

Beyond maintenance issues, there are a number of other practical recommendations that can be very useful. For example, placing your pots next to each other or in the same place will help you minimize watering time. This location can also be an interesting solution if they get a lot of sun as they will create shaded areas between them to protect them.