Houseplants can add life to a home in ways that cannot be accomplished by any other means. In order to get the most from both green and flowering plants, it is important to water them when and as needed. Fortunately, there are several different strategies that can take the guesswork out of indoor watering and make the process of plant care much simpler.
One approach to indoor watering that works with many types of green plants such as potted trees or ivy is known as misting. This involves nothing more than mixing water with a small amount of plant nutrients and placing the mixture into a spray bottle. By spraying the nutrient-enriched water directly onto the leaves of the plant, it is possible to feed the plant through the foliage rather than running the risk of over-watering the roots and causing the plant to begin decaying.
People who are not sure how often to water plants or have problems determining how much water should be used each time can benefit from the use of a watering meter. These meters are simple bulb-shaped devices with a long stem. By filling the meter with water and gently pushing the stem into the soil around the plant, it is possible to continually provide nourishment for the plant over several days. When the bulb is empty, simply refill with water and return the device to the pot.
Another approach to plant watering indoors is known as automatic watering. This is a variation on some of the watering systems used in greenhouses. Essentially, this approach makes use of tubing that runs from one pot to the next. Along the length of the tubing are small branches of tubes that are placed on top of the soil near each plant in the group. The system is then set to release a small amount of water into each plant at pre-determined intervals. An indoor watering system of this type is ideal for anyone who travels and would like to come home to a house full of health plants.
When homeowners choose to build a small greenhouse for flowers or other types of plants, creating a drip watering system is often a good idea. This type of indoor watering requires running sections of pipe above the area where the plants are cultivated. The piping is perforated at various points along the length of the pipe, allowing a small amount of water to drip slowly onto the plants. This form of indoor irrigation is relatively easy to install and requires nothing more than a steady supply of water that is moved through the pipe at a low rate of pressure.
Homeowners may choose to use the most basic of all indoor watering techniques, and use a watering can to manually moisten the soil around the base of each plant. People who prefer this method normally set aside one or two periods each week to check each plant for dry soil, then water the plants accordingly. Depending on the number of houseplants on hand, a process of this type may take anywhere from a few minutes to an hour or more.
