Do you tend to underwater your houseplants? Here are some tips and tricks for ensuring that you don’t underwater and that your houseplants remain healthy and happy.
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Welcome to HealthyHouseplants.com, where we teach you all about gardening in The Great Indoors! Today’s video covers how to prevent underwatering, which is second only to overwatering when it comes to killing houseplants. It happens to the best of us—we get busy, delay watering, and eventually find a drooping plant that’s possibly beyond saving.
If you’ve severely underwatered your plant, there’s a separate video linked below on how to revive it. In this tutorial, we’ll go over simple yet effective steps to prevent underwatering in the first place.
🔔 Set reminders to check your plants regularly. Use your phone, calendar, or sticky notes—whatever works for you. Don’t schedule watering blindly (like every Wednesday); instead, set reminders to check if your plants actually need water. Catching early signs of dehydration can make all the difference.
💧 Water thoroughly. Many people mistake overwatering as watering with too much volume—it’s actually watering too often. When you water, soak the soil thoroughly so it stays moist longer. Let smaller pots soak in the sink, and for larger plants, water in their saucer and remove excess with a turkey baster.
🌱 Use the right soil. Choose moisture-retentive, well-draining soil. A good mix includes ingredients like peat moss, coconut coir, and pumice. Avoid bagged soil that feels barky or dry, as it won’t retain moisture well and leads to quick dehydration.
🌤️ Watch plant placement. Plants near windows with intense sunlight, heaters, or A/C vents dry out much faster. Avoid placing moisture-sensitive plants in these locations. Also, hanging planters and high shelves expose plants to warmer, drier air—relocate them to cooler, more accessible spots.
🪴 Repot when necessary. Pot-bound plants (with more roots than soil) dry out quickly. If your plant is drying out too fast and has outgrown its container, it’s time to repot.
In summary, underwatering is just as harmful as overwatering. Even drought-tolerant plants like the peace lily get stressed from dehydration. Watering properly helps your plants stay healthy and beautiful—and a happy plant makes for a happy indoor gardener!
FAQs About Preventing Underwatering in Houseplants
What is the main cause of underwatering houseplants?
Underwatering is often caused by forgetting to check soil moisture regularly, placing plants in high heat or airflow areas, or using poor-quality soil that dries quickly.
How can I remember to water my plants?
Set reminders on your phone, use sticky notes, or create a calendar alert to check if your plants need water—not just to water them on a fixed schedule.
What is the best way to water houseplants?
Soak the soil thoroughly until it is evenly moist. Avoid light surface watering. For large plants, water in the saucer and remove excess water with a turkey baster.
What type of soil helps prevent underwatering?
Use moisture-retentive yet well-draining soil that includes components like peat moss, coconut coir, and pumice. Avoid bark-heavy soils that dry out quickly.
Why does plant placement matter for watering needs?
Plants in sunny windows, near vents, or in hanging baskets dry out faster. Moving them to cooler or more stable areas helps reduce the risk of underwatering.
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