Watering plants seems like one of the simplest household tasks. However, a habit very widespread could be doing more harm than good.
Pour a little water on them every day It can prevent the roots from receiving the moisture they really need.
That’s the main advice he shares. Joan Calderonresponsible for the family business Calderon Gardening, in one of his videos published on TikTok. The specialist pointed out this everyday error that, according to him, explains a good part of the problems he observes in plants grown in pots.
The mistake when watering plants that can weaken them
«Never water your plants this way. You are doing it every day and you don’t even realize it, and the worst thing is that you think you are doing it right,» he warns at the beginning of his explanation.
For the gardening influencer – who has more than 130,000 followers on Instagram-, the problem is not usually a lack of water, but the way it is watered.
The gardener, from the Spanish municipality Alicanteassures that many people add just a small splash every day, believing that this way they keep the soil moist. «You look at her and think she’s fine, but inside she’s a mess,» summarizes E.
That practice only moistens the surface layer of the substratewhile the deeper roots remain dry, he explains. As a result, the plant appears to be in good condition, although your root system (your roots) does not receive enough water.
How to properly water plants
Compared to the habit of adding small amounts of water every day, Calderón proposes a completely different method.
His advice is to carry out abundant watering until the water passes through the entire root ball and comes out through the drainage holes in the pot.
«You take a whole bottle of water and pour it into the pot until you see it sink and drain all the water into the saucer,» he explains.
The objective is that the entire mass of land receives moisture evenly and that the roots can absorb water deeply.
In addition, drainage plays a fundamental role. A pot without holes or with poor drainage can have the opposite effect: excess water remains around the roots and promotes their deterioration.
Why roots need deep watering
Water not only hydrates the plant. Also transports nutrients dissolved in the soil to the rootswhere they are then distributed to leaves, stems and flowers.
If moisture remains only in the first few centimeters of the substrate, the roots will tend to concentrate near the surface, where the soil also dries out more quickly.
Calderón’s statement corresponds to the recommendations of specialized organizations. They indicate that the “trick” is to water less frequently, but thoroughly, and let the surface dry before feeding the living being again.
The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS), one of the most prestigious gardening institutions in the world. United Kingdomexplains that deep watering allows moisture to reach the roots, and promotes growth that is more resistant to drought.
In tune with the organization mentioned above, the University of Minnesota Extension notes los benefits of abundant irrigation. Combined with adequate intervals between them, they promote deeper root development and help plants better withstand dry periods.
What to do once the water is drained
Another of Calderón’s pieces of advice consists of remove accumulated water in the saucer once the pot has finished draining.
The recommendation is also supported by specialized organizations. He Missouri Botanical Garden warns that keeping roots permanently submerged in water reduces the oxygen available in the substrate and increases the risk of root rot, one of the most frequent problems in indoor plants.
The Spanish gardener, for his part, insists that one of the most common mistakes is to water again too soon. «Never water when wet»resume.
To check if water is really needed, he proposes a simple test: stick two fingers into the ground. If the substrate still retains moisture, it is advisable to wait a few more days.
This advice also coincides with the recommendations of the Royal Horticultural Societywhich advises check soil moisture before watering againsince water needs change depending on the season of the year, ambient temperature, pot size and type of plant.
Too much water can be more dangerous than too little
There is an idea that plants usually die because they receive too little water. However, in gardening, exactly the opposite often happens.
Excessive watering can prevent the roots from breathing properly, encourage the appearance of fungi and end up damaging the entire root system.
Therefore, specialists recommend adapt the frequency of irrigation to each speciesto the climate and type of substrate, instead of following a fixed schedule.
In other words, there is no universal rule that all plants should be watered every day.
The important thing is to observe the state of the substrate and, as already reiterated, make sure that the water reaches the roots without remaining stagnant.
