Whether they’re in your home or dotted around the garden, plants are a fantastic way to add some greenery to your space. And if you don’t have a lot of room in the garden to actually grow from the ground, potted plants are the way to go.
Everybody knows that watering your plants is obviously one of the best things you can do to keep them alive. However, going about this the wrong way can actually have the opposite effect – especially where potted plants are concerned. That’s according to plant expert Joe’s Garden, who has lifted the lid on a common watering mistake that can cause your plants to wilt and die.
In a recent video, he demonstrated watering a potted plant like anybody normally would – by pouring water from a can directly into the soil. However, the pro warned that this could end up ‘doing more harm than good’ to your greenery.
Explaining why, he said: “Containers are a great way of growing crops if you’re renting or only have limited space. But be careful when you’re watering the plants from the top.”
Showing off a freshly watered pot of dirt, he continued: “Although the soil may seem saturated, dig a little bit deeper, and it can often be bone dry.”
However, there’s an easy solution, and it helps the water to become more even distributed throughout your plant’s roots, allowing it to stay hydrated and keep on living for longer.
Joe said: “Instead, try filling up a large tray or container with water and place your plants straight in. The soil will absorb up the water through the drainage holes in the bottom of the pot, helping to give your plant an even drink all the way throughout.”
If your potted plants are bigger and you’ve not got a container large enough, there’s a way around this too. Joe explained: “For larger containers, bury a smaller pot in the middle [of the soil] and water directly into this.”
The water will seep out of the drainage holes, allowing it to get deeper and really reach the roots of your larger plants, instead of just covering the top layer of soil and leaving the rest of your greenery without a drink.