Watering plants may sound easy. However, it can be quite a challenge in the beginning
If you're just getting started, you'll quickly make these 7 beginner mistakes. They can cost your plants their lives!
Confusing frequency with quantity.
This is the MOST common mistake. You read that the plant needs more water. So, you give a splash every day. You should NEVER do this! Always make sure you completely wet a plant, whether it's a cactus or a Monstera.
So that water comes back out at the bottom of the pot. Imagine a plant in the wild. There, too, a little splash of rain doesn't come down every day (okay, maybe in the Netherlands). It rains hard, only to be dry again for several days. This is what you want to mimic in your room.
A plant that needs a lot of water, water as soon as the top 2-3 cm of the soil is dry (you can feel this with your finger). Only then do you water again. Then wet the whole soil completely.
Watering too much (i.e., too often)
Many people think that more water is better for the plant. But, most houseplants like dry soil between waterings. These include the pancake plant, pothos, ZZ plant and philodendron. Too much water can lead to root rot and fungal growth. Neither of which you want!
Potting soil with the wrong structure
If you have potting soil that holds a lot of water, and then put in a cactus, it won't go well. No matter how well you apply the other tips.
That's why choosing the right plant-specific potting soil is very important. The right soil helps maintain moisture through its structure. This potting soil mimics the natural habitat.
Not watering enough
The opposite can also happen: not watering plants enough. Especially plants in smaller pots dry out faster. If the soil stays dry for too long, the leaves can wither. This weakens the plant. Often the problem is that you forget to water your plants. You can put a reminder in your calendar once or twice a week to check on your plants. It is also helpful to put the watering can in a place you often walk by. That way you are subconsciously reminded to water!
Not taking the season into account
Plants need less water in winter. Their growth slows down because of less sunlight. Water in the soil also evaporates less quickly. This is due to the difference in temperature and humidity. As a rule of thumb, you will water much more often in summer than in winter. So plants don't always have the same schedule for how often you water. Check the humidity regularly and only water when you really need to!
A pot without drainage holes
Use a pot with drip holes. Excess water can suffocate the roots. Provide a pot with drip holes and a saucer to catch excess water. You can also choose to put the plant in the sink and water it there.
Giving ice cold water
Especially in winter, water from the tap is cold! Your plants don't like this. Sensitive plants can go into shock. Make sure you always give lukewarm water. You don't like suddenly being under a cold shower, do you? So even if you see the advice to water your orchids by putting ice cubes in the top of the pot, don't do it!
