Watering houseplants is pretty easy, right? Fill your watering can and get to work. Well, experts have revealed that you should actually leave your water to stand overnight before watering your plants. And this little extra step can make a big difference to your plants.
This The best houseplants The house really feels like a home. Not only do they look good, but seeing them as they are can make us feel good Houseplants that can reduce humidity And also Houseplants that can reduce dust in our homes. Therefore, it is important that we take care of them to the best of our abilities.
This is why ‘overnight filling’ of your water can come in handy. By leaving the water in an open container overnight, you allow the chlorine to dissipate, which is more suitable for sensitive plants.
What is overnight?
While you might have worked The best time to water your houseplantsExperts also want you to take the extra step of leaving it overnight beforehand. This removes the chlorine from the water and allows the water to come to room temperature.
(Image credit: Future plc / Nathalie Primm)
‘When you leave water in a jug or container with a wide opening at the top, this allows the chlorine – which is added as a disinfectant by water companies to ensure it’s safe for us to drink – to start evaporating to make it more suitable for watering houseplants that may be sensitive to chlorination in their soil and beneficial for micro-growth, therefore beneficial for micro-growth. At Bradley, the garden and greenhouse specialist Easy Garden Irrigation.
‘If you leave tap water in an open container overnight (so not a bottle), the chlorine leaves the water mainly by evaporation. Leaving it in the air for 24 to 48 hours will actually be more effective and should enable the chlorine to evaporate completely. That’s why I usually keep a jug of tap water in my kitchen for a day or so before using it to water my plants. This is the easiest way to get rid of chlorine.’
Chlorine can affect sensitive plants such as calathea, dracaena, ferns, spider plants and peace lilies. Generally, it is plants of tropical origin that are most affected, and you can tell a plant is affected by chlorine if the tips or edges of its leaves can turn brown. Leaves may also turn yellow, and growth may slow.
An added benefit of leaving the water on ‘overnight’ is that it becomes room temperature, which is ideal when watering houseplants, which can waste water and is difficult to achieve when running your tap straight away to water plants, adds Lucy.
(Image credit: Future plc / David Giles)
However, ‘overnight’ is not a necessary step for all plants nor will it drastically change the health of your plants.
‘Night watering’ for houseplants is generally not necessary for most homes or common indoor plants. While leaving the water to stand overnight can help remove some of the chlorine and allow the water to reach room temperature, most houseplants will grow well with regular tap water,’ says plant buyer Amber Tunney. Cherry Lane Garden Centres.
‘It is only beneficial in areas with very hard or heavily chlorinated water or when growing particularly sensitive tropical plants such as calatheas or ferns. For most houseplants, regular watering habits and avoiding overwatering are more important than overnight watering.’
Make watering a breeze
Tomorrowtech
2 Pcs Light Rainbow Gradient Color Clear Glass Self-Watering System Spikes
These watering spikes slowly release water into the soil near the roots of your plants. You’ll be able to draw the moisture the plant needs, preventing overwatering.
Dunelm
Reactive Glaze Ceramic Plant MR
A plant mister is great for adding moisture to tropical plants, cleaning foliage, and applying fertilizers or treatments to plants.
collapse
Colapz 7l/9l Collapsible Outdoor Watering Can
This clever water drinker can be folded up when not in use, making it easy to store in small homes.
If you have a sensitive plant that is struggling, taking the extra step to ‘overnight’ your water can help. It’s a simple, free hack that will encourage your plants to grow happier and healthier.
