How to Correctly Water Your Houseplants

[@jordanxfile]

This is spot on! I'm glad there are people addressing this watering topic. All plants need to be watered in this manner. However, there is one important point; the potting mix in the container needs to be well-draining. Well-draining potting mix is essential for all houseplants; regardless of species, because you want to water all plants in this very manner. Showering plants, washing their leaves, branches and stems, flushing the soil, is very beneficial and also preventative against pests. Well-draining potting mix; that is the key. Thank you for this amazingly informative video :)

[@brandonboy09]

I’ve learned so much from you. Thank you for all that you do!

[@cindythoms7246]

Enjoy your videos, always seem to learn something new.

[@ROlson-dx2jc]

Do you wuse the same technique for cacti and succulents? Thanks, so glad I came across your channel!

[@hpeteacher9445]

Hi Mary Kay! How are you? Love your videos! Both educational and enjoyable. I WANT THAT SINK! LOL! I have been sticking a coffee filter under my sink drain, so ant soil, perlite and orchid bark does not go down it. I used to not water my plants throughly, due to FUNGUS GNATS. I noticed the root balls were not fully enveloping the pot, so I switched. I throughly water my plants and let them dry out before watering. Hope you have a great day! Gerry 😎

[@icebox3726]

How long should I let my plant drain after watering before I put it back in a decorative pot? And also what should I do if my caladium has a small amount of root rot starting?

[@Chris-de2qc]

i guess it depends on how big your pot is! maybe 5-10 minutes?

[@LilStampBug]

I appreciate your video's...newbie Gardener/plant Lady 😁😁😁 I'm learning so much!

[@kgaither7614]

Hi, is well water ok?

[@ddruciellahotmailcom]

My snake plant has mold on the roots. So after thoroughly watering it I put it back in the second pot? It lives in an office that is a basement.

[@Somrot-TMS]

Thank ​you​ very much, love your advice.

[@LePireEstomac]

You are awesome!

[@RobinLizac]

Hi i have a question. I have been watering my plants this way but I read online that by doing so you can wash away soil and get an anorexia plant. When watering my plant like this is do often see coming soil out of the pot. Should I try and prevent this? I have been watering a slightly root bound pot like this and I am concerned I washed away too much soil. Should I repot in the same pot to make sure it still has enough soil? ( I repotted this plant two months ago, and autumn is coming up). Asking because the plant is suddenly dying after doing so well. If I use this method should I fertilizer more?? I'm thinking that I can rinse the nutrition out of the soil?

[@Allan-et5ig]

Backbone Valley Nursery Help! Mary bought a large plastic potted bunch of various flowers from COSTCO. "Blooms all summer," the sticker says. It came with fertilizer which I applied. Also gave it fish tank water which had no effect either way. Help, Help! Should I: .Poke holes in the bottom to allow drainage? . Thoroughly water with hose rather than spray bottle? Many thanks, Allan

[@joy1ess]

the problem I have is the loss of soil that leaves the pot with the water whenever I water my plants. I keep losing soil, and soil is expensive..

[@TheLittleBuddies]

I love that your videos are so informational, but what about bottom watering?

[@amoijoy573]

Thank you for this very important video.

[@seaglass8940]

Wow, thank you for these videos! I had no idea that a plant could take that much water! And since I'm in the SW zone 9a, it explains why nothing's growing... (it's my first time gardening, and oh my, you saved me a LOT of grief and frustration down the road) I was being waayy too frugal with the amount of water and wondering why things were still wilting, despite my watering! Thank you Mary Kay!

[@ROlson-dx2jc]

Right on, I've been watering incorrectly for ever. Lucky my plants are forgiving😊

[@morabeshara8821]

What do think about bottom watering ? Is it good or bad

[@MadiCarl]

I'm researching how to properly care for a Lucky Bamboo plant and the website I'm looking at now said to use soft/distilled water and to avoid hard water with lots of minerals. This seems to directly go against what you said to do (never use soft water) and I trust someone who specializes in horticulture more to be totally honest. I just figured I'd ask in case anybody knows if this is a special condition or something or if this resource is incorrect?

[@rosyortzd9566]

Thank you so much 💕

[@Tzelt24]

The whole saturating houseplants when watering makes me reconsider everything about my watering.... yet gives me such anxiety to try.

[@pardwayne]

Is distilled water better on potted plants than softened tap water?

[@marykaypope1398]

I would never use softened water. If all you have is distilled, then that is better than softened. Rain water is, of course, the best!

[@pardwayne]

@@marykaypope1398 Thank you. I'll keep that in mind. Here in Iowa it's getting too cold to depend on rain, so I'll look into ways to collect rain water.

[@TheGypsygirl809]

What do you think of bottom watering? Thank you for this informative video.

[@marykaypope1398]

Bottom watering is acceptable at times, but must include a periodic "flushing" from the top to remove excess salts. It is only advisable on certain plants such as African Violets, or with soil that has gotten so dry it is hard to re-wet. I would not use that method all the time.

[@ellefont3813]

Why to never add soil to the top?

[@marykaypope1398]

Adding soil above the original soil line will damage the vascular system, which is just under the thin bark of the plant. It will keep the bark moist and allow fungal organisms to enter, eventually killing the plant. You can add small amounts of soil to replace soil that has washed away and exposed the roots on top. Just do not add soil to the trunk above the original soil line.