If you’ve ever left a houseplant unattended for too long, you probably know that it doesn’t take much to make them sad. Most plants will wilt at the first sign of dehydration, which is why they are often referred to as “weak-stemmed” instead of stubborn and ungrateful. Keeping indoor plants hydrated is easy in theory but hard in practice: It can be quite difficult to judge exactly how much water your plant needs at any given time. If you are new to keeping houseplants or trying to add more of them to your home, there are a few tricks that will help you keep them happy and healthy. Here are some ways that help your indoor plants thrive.
How To Flush Plants Without Overwatering
1. Use a plant saver
You can purchase a product that comes in the form of either a plastic bag or a tube that allows you to easily mark the water level inside your plant saver. This will allow you to determine if your plant is getting enough water and if it needs more or less. You can adjust the water levels according to how thirsty your plants appear.
2. Don’t overwater
Overwatering is one of the most common mistakes made by newbie indoor gardeners and one of the most common reasons for plants to wilt and die. Most houseplants do not need to be watered every day, but they do need water when they are thirsty, at least once per week, as well as occasionally throughout their lives. If you don’t know whether your plant is thirsty, then it needs water! To determine whether or not your plant needs more water, simply take note of its color and how much sunlight it receives. If the plant is looking pale, then it needs water.
3. Use a moisture meter
If you have the choice between watering your plants with a hose or from the tap, opt for the latter because it will be much more accurate than water from a hose. Watering from a hose is not as accurate because it doesn’t measure how much water your plant actually needs and can cause over- or under-watering problems. You can purchase a simple moisture meter to check out how much water your plants are getting. Just place the sensor inside the pot or saucer and wait for five minutes (this will give you an accurate reading). If you notice that your plant has lost color, then it is time to reevaluate its watering schedule!
4. Check your soil’s pH level and adjust accordingly.
Most houseplants prefer acidic soil (pH levels of 5 to 6) that is rich in nutrients but not overly wet. If you’re not sure whether your plant is thirsty, then use a moisture meter to decide how much water it needs.
What Type Of Plants Are Best Suited For Flushing?
1. Cacti
While cacti are able to withstand long periods of drought, they still need water at least once a week. You can use a drip system to help water them, but they don’t like being overwatered. If you are in doubt about when it is time to water your cactus, it is always best to err on the side of caution and give them a little more water than they need.
2. Succulents
Succulents are known for their ability to handle long periods of dryness and still thrive. However, since succulents are often very small in size, it is easy for them to get dehydrated quickly if you leave them unattended for too long. When it comes time to water succulents, check their soil every week or so and move any plants that have lost most of their leaves to larger containers that have been filled with more soil or potting mix.
3. Bromeliads
Bromeliads are also known for their ability to tolerate long periods of drought, but they do still need water every week or two. When it comes time to water bromeliads, fill up the sink with warm water and add several drops of dishwashing detergent. Let the bromeliads soak in the solution for a few minutes before you drain out the water and give them a drink.
How Often Should You Flush Your Plants?
- The way to flush your plants is to use a coarse, white flour-like powder, like Wondra. It is not recommended that you use instant tap water or tap water straight from the faucet. This may contain chlorine and other chemicals that can be toxic to your plants. Instead, we recommend using distilled or purified water. You can also buy bottled distilled water in the store if you do not have access to purified water.
- You should sprinkle about ¼ cup of Wondra on top of the soil when you are watering your plants (about ¼ cup per gallon of potting mix). If it has been a few days since you watered your plant, you may need to sprinkle more than this amount as some of the water may have evaporated due to the high temperatures outside.
- When you sprinkle Wondra on top of the soil, be sure that it gets into all the nooks and crannies around the roots and stem of each plant.
- After the Wondra has been applied, the water will flow through the soil and into your plant’s root ball or pot. Do not leave any dry spots! Check to make sure that all of your plant’s roots have been moistened.
- Now you need to wait for the liquid to drain out of your plant’s pot or root ball. Depending on how large your plant is, this can take anywhere from a few hours to several days.
Is There A Way To Do It Without Overwatering?
- Water your plants only when the soil is completely dry. If a plant is still alive and healthy, it probably won’t wilt.
- Do not overwater your plants. Keep them in a small container or pot, and water only when the soil is completely dry. If they are still alive and healthy, they will not wilt because they are receiving enough moisture from the rest of their root system to keep them healthy.
- Never let your plant sit in standing water; this can kill it by drowning or by allowing too much moisture to accumulate in the roots and stems of the plant. When you water, put just enough to lightly moisten the soil surface for about 60 seconds before watering again for approximately 30 seconds more (see below).
- Never let your plant sit in standing water; this can kill it by drowning or by allowing too much moisture to accumulate in the roots and stems of the plant. When you water, put just enough to lightly moisten the soil surface for about 60 seconds before watering again for approximately 30 seconds more.
What Is The Best Way To Water Plants After They’ve Been Flushed?
1. Read the label
The first thing you should do before flushing your houseplant is to read the label on the bag of potting soil. Most plants require at least an inch of water per week, which means that you should be able to see a little bit more than halfway through the bag as to how much your plant needs. If there are no instructions on the label, you can find this information in a book or online at a gardening website.
2. Get more light, less water
Plants will appreciate direct sunlight and will get most of their water from it during the winter and spring months. If you have live plants that don’t need very much water, they will thrive in areas that get bright sunlight all day long without any shade from windows or curtains. However, if you have plants that are sensitive to too much moisture or require a lot of care for their leaves, then giving them less light may be better for them. You can also move plants to a brighter area of your house when you know that they are getting enough light and water.
3. Keep the soil moist but not soggy
If you have a plant that needs very little water, then you should place the pot together with the drainage holes above the soil line. If your plant is in a pot that has larger holes, then it will drain more quickly without having to use a lot of water, so you don’t want to fill up the hole completely with water as this could cause root damage. On the other hand, if you have a plant that needs more water than usual, then simply put in some pebbles or small stones at the bottom of the pot to prevent soggy soil and keep it from overflowing.
Conclusion
Keeping houseplants can be a challenge, but they are worthwhile and rewarding. These plants will bring nature into your home and make the atmosphere healthier and more comfortable. Additionally, they are great for your health because they clean the air of toxins, like formaldehyde and benzene. When you make the effort to keep your indoor plants happy, you’ll feel better both inside and out.
