Watering and Feeding Houseplants

You’ve finally got your house plant picked out and it’s sitting nice and cozy in its planter… Suddenly, anxiety kicks in. Your mind starts racing:

Stop. Take a deep breath.

Plant care can be pretty simple. Trust me – I’ve had my share of battles with some of my plants. For instance, some of you may know that my fiddle leaf fig and I have boxed it out a few times, but we’ve come to terms with each other and it’s never been healthier. We just needed to figure out a good watering and feeding routine.

Watering and feeding houseplants isn’t rocket science, but it might take some trial and error. Plants find ways to let you know what they need if you’re paying attention.

As a general rule of thumb, here’s what I’d recommend for the various types of plants that I’ve taken care of.

Dry Guys

When is comes to watering and feeding houseplants that are desert lovers, like succulents and cacti, lots of sun and little water is the way to go. They’re sun dependant and don’t like a lot of water. Desert-type plants require a desert-like environment, so try and replicate one as best you can in your home.

Watering Desert Houseplants

Water your succulents and cacti every one to two weeks.

First, check to see if the soil is dry. If completely dry more than a few inches, add water, but only a little.

If you feel that the soil is still moist from your last watering, skip that watering cycle and check again the following week.

Only water when soil is almost completely dry – these plants can withstand a bit of a drought.

Feeding Desert Houseplants

Both succulents and cacti are sun loving (recommended: full sunlight, 6 hours per day). The sun can give them nutrients they need for most of the year.

Even still, it’s recommended to fertilize succulents and cacti two to three times in the spring and summer months. If you’re forgetful with your schedule, you can get away with fertilizing just once a year each spring.

For fertilizing, I use premixed commercial succulent plant food. It’s an easy, ready-to-go option for people who don’t want to fuss with mixing up their own concoction.

Wet Guys

These plants are much more water-dependent than the succulents and cacti and make up the rest of my plant collection. Tropical plants are going to be our focus in this section.

In my home, my water-loving plants are the Syngonium, Alocasia and Calathea. These plants LOVE humidity! Again, we need to think about watering similarly to what they’d see in their natural, tropical environment, such as the rainforest.

Even though they are tropical and love humidity, these plants can still suffer from overwatering. Watering is a like/dislike with them, which can be tricky. Feeding and watering houseplants that are water loving need a little extra attention.

Watering Tropical Houseplants

I typically water these plants around once a week.

When watering tropical plants, water until the topsoil is wet. Keeping a close eye on it. Wait to make sure that the water gets absorbed quickly, not to don’t want to drown the plant. Watch for the water to drain out of the drainage hole (if there is one). If the pot doesn’t have a drainage hole, water slowly. Plants don’t like to sit in pools of water, so make sure you always check the top 2 inches of soil before you start watering.

Moisture meters have saved me from overwatering many times, so I’d recommend one for these kinds of plants.

Plants that love humid environments in my home often get a nice mist every other day or sit next to a humidifier that runs regularly. When misting spray just enough for the leaves to form droplets of water that start to drip. Don’t completely soak them.

I’d suggest investing in a humidifier as well – especially with plants like the Calathea. You can also create consistent humidity levels for your plants with a pebble tray.

To create a pebble tray, buy a tray from any place you can buy planters or even just use a plate and fill it with pebbles. I like to use aquarium rocks for mine.

Then, you just pour water on top on the pebbles. Place your planter on top and make sure the drainage hole isn’t soaking up the water. Over time, water will evaporate creating a makeshift humidifier for the plant!

Fertilizing Tropical Houseplants

Add fertilizer every other week from late March/early April to late August/early September.

I use a tropical plant fertilizer regularly following this schedule.

Sometimes, I’ll mix a supplement called Superthrive into the water too.  Superthrive is a newer supplement that I found that’s basically a multivitamin for your plants and they LOVE IT! You can use it with just about any plant.

When In Doubt

Generally speaking, the traditional rule of thumb is to only water when needed.

 I know that sounds complicated, but stay with me.

When the top few inches of soil are dry, add water. Fertilize in the spring and summer months, up to twice each month.

Plants don’t need to be watered following a strict schedule, but I do dedicate my Sunday mornings to checking on all of them and watering when they need it. I’ll often check back mid-week if some of my plants were just barely on the line; I’d rather risk a slight drought than overwatering.

Your plants will tell you when it’s time to water. If you don’t have a desert plant or a tropical plant and yours falls somewhere in the middle, just follow these basic rules.

There are many plants can withstand some neglect from watering and feeding, which makes them great for starter plants. If you’re just testing the waters of plant ownership, start with plants like the ZZ plant or the Snake plant that can take it.

Watering and feeding houseplants will test your patience and challenge you, but don’t give up – you’ll get it!

What does your watering and feeding routine like?