Houseplants are a great way to liven up any living space, but taking care of them can be tricky. There are some tips and tricks to keeping your houseplants alive with minimal water. With the right drainage, species selection, and soil, you can have thriving houseplants with a fraction of the water.
Why use houseplants?
Houseplants are a great way to add color, texture, and life to any space. They can help improve air quality and are a low-maintenance option for those who don’t have the time or energy for larger plants.
Many houseplants require little water and still thrive! Here’s how to keep your plants alive without having to water them too much.
Start by providing adequate drainage. Even if you don’t water your plants much, you still need to make sure the soil is draining properly. If the soil holds onto too much water, it can cause the roots to rot.
Invest in pots and planters with holes in the bottom and use a potting mix with sand, vermiculite, and peat moss, as these materials help with drainage.
Choose species that require less water. Cacti and succulents are great examples of houseplants that don’t need much water.
Other options are spider plants, snake plants, and peace lilies. Use soil that retains moisture. Soil that is rich in organic matter helps retain moisture and prevents your plant from drying out.
Good soil options are peat moss, coco coir, and compost. With these tips, you’re sure to keep your houseplants alive and thriving with little water.
How to Keep Houseplants Alive with Little Water
Providing adequate drainage is the first step to making sure your houseplants get enough water but not too much. Choose species that require less water and consider the placement of your plants in your home.
Plants placed in more humid rooms, such as bathrooms, may need less water than those in drier rooms. Using soil that retains moisture will help keep your plants hydrated without over-watering.
When watering your plants, be sure to check the soil before watering, as overwatering is the most common cause of death for potted plants. A simple finger test can help determine if you need to water.
If the top few inches of soil feel dry, water your plant thoroughly, but be careful not to over-water. If the soil feels moist, wait until it’s dry before adding more water.
You can also help your plants preserve moisture by adding a layer of mulch on top of the soil. Mulch helps to hold in moisture, so it’s a great way to make sure your plants get the water they need without having to water them as often. With these tips, you can easily keep your houseplants alive without over-watering them.
Provide Adequate Drainage
Providing adequate drainage for a houseplant is essential for keeping it alive with little water. Start by ensuring the pot you choose has one or more drainage holes. If it doesn’t, create one with a drill or a sharp knife.
Do not forget to put a saucer underneath the pot to catch water runoff.
To make sure it drains properly, you can mix a bit of sand, small stones, or perlite into the potting mix to aid in drainage. Remember to water your plant only when the soil has dried out. Don’t wait until the plant has wilted, as this is a sign of stress.
When you do water, it is important to water the roots, not the leaves. Use room temperature water.
Overwatering is a common cause of plant death, so try to limit the amount of water you are providing – it’s better to err on the side of caution. You can create a humidity tent for your plant by taking a plastic bag, cutting a few holes in it, and placing it over the plant.
This will help the soil retain more moisture and prevent the water from evaporating too quickly. With a bit of trial and error, you can easily keep your houseplant alive with minimal water.
Choose Species that Require Less Water
When selecting houseplants, it pays to do your homework. By choosing a species that requires less water, you will be taking a huge step towards keeping your plants alive without much water. Here are some great suggestions:
Succulents, such as cactus, are an excellent choice. They are hardy, low maintenance, and require minimal water. Air plants are low maintenance and easy to take care of. They do not require soil and you can simply mist them with water, no more than twice a week. Spider plants are also a great option. They are very forgiving and can survive with only small amounts of water. If you’re looking for something a bit more exotic, bromeliads and ferns are great options. Bromeliads are easy to care for and can survive with very little water. Ferns are another great option; they grow slowly and can survive with minimal water. If you want to keep your houseplants alive with minimal water, do your research and opt for species that are low maintenance and require little water. Air plants, spider plants, bromeliads, and ferns are all great options.
Use Soil that Retains Moisture
It’s important to use soil that retains moisture when keeping houseplants alive without much water. Consider using potting soil mixes that are designed to retain moisture, like cactus mix, or mixes that contain sphagnum moss or perlite, which are great ingredients for drainage and moisture retention.
Adding a layer of mulch or compost to the top of the soil can also help it retain more moisture. You can also add a layer of pebbles, which will create a seal to keep moisture in.
And be sure to use a pot that has drainage holes to ensure that the water doesn’t stay in the soil for too long. If you want to go the extra mile, try using self-watering pots, which make it easier to keep your houseplants watered without having to manually do it yourself. And make sure you’re using the right type of pot for your houseplant.
Clay pots are great for retaining moisture, but if you’re using a terracotta or plastic pot, you may have to water more often.
Be sure to check the soil of your houseplant regularly. You can insert a finger into the soil to see if the top couple of inches are dry. If they are, it’s time to water. Monitoring the soil moisture is key to keeping your houseplants alive without much water.