Can You Water Indoor Plants at Night?
It is in the best interest of the plants that the owners take care of them. A plant’s care requires several tasks, but the most crucial is watering. Proper watering will ensure that your plant thrives. In the early spring and summer, most indoor plants will need at least indirect sunlight, so some of the tips for outdoor plants apply as well.
Timing is everything when it comes to watering plants. Is it possible to water indoor plants at night? Normally, plants receive water when it rains, but in your environment they should be watered at certain times. The best time to water most plants is in the morning, according to most plant experts. Although that may seem disappointing to those who like to water their plants at night, I’m sure those who do so have the best intentions for the plant.
In addition to giving you tips for caring for your plant, here are some reasons why you should water it in the morning.
Morning Light Prevents Excessive Moisture
By watering the plant at the beginning of the day, your plant won’t be left sitting in the wet potting mix for long periods of time. As a result, plants that are watered at night are left in moisture longer than they should be, as sunlight cannot efficiently dry the soil.
It is possible for many plants to develop fungus or bacteria as a result of excess moisture. An excessive amount of water also caused plants to become water logged. This will lead to them not growing properly. Oxygen is necessary for the survival of all plants. In waterlogged soil, plants cannot obtain the necessary oxygen. Once they are deprived of oxygen for a long time, root damage occurs.
Morning Watering Helps Plants Thrive in the Sun
It is much easier to deal with the heat of the sun when your plants have been watered in the morning. You’ll understand what is happening when you look at a healthy plant. As your plant receives water on its foliage and roots to grow, then the sun dries out what might be excessive, giving your plant a healthy balance.
When you water in the morning, the transpiration process is more efficient. Natural processes such as transpiration enable plants to obtain nutrients from the soil. The stomata are opened, allowing nutrients to enter the plant. The plant then exchanges air with the atmosphere, which is beneficial to other aspects of the environment.
Dealing with a Myth
Many avenues are always open to the spread of myths. This includes the plant world as well. It has been mythically said that morning watering will cause plants to scorch in the sun. It is only overwatering that can cause plants to scorch in the morning sunlight. You will still see your plants, no matter how intense the sunlight is, because the water droplets evaporate before they are exposed to it.
Watering during Winter Months
Watering your plants in the morning is always better, but it is especially important during the winter months. If you water your plants in the evenings and at night during the winter season, you run the risk of creating an artificial frost that can affect your indoor plants.
A drop of water sitting on foliage evaporates when it is exposed to sunlight, preventing it from accumulating too much moisture. Watering at night and evening in the winter will produce artificial frost that will not have time to evaporate, resulting in damage to your plants. Watering your plants early in the morning ensures that the moisture on the plant is able to transfer into the soil instead of remaining on top of it.
Plants that Deal Well with Winter
- Coneflower
- Lily of the Valley
- Wintergreen Boxwood
- Blue Spruce
- Coral Bells
- Pansies
- Catmint
- Winterberries
- Hostas
- Primrose
Ways to Prepare Your Indoor Plants for Winter
- Pull up dead leaves and dying plants
- Drain Irrigation Systems
- Plant bulbs that will only flower in the Spring
Why Not at Night?
During the daylight hours, wet foliage poses no threat. When the water is exposed to sunlight, it evaporates. After a plant has been watered at night, its foliage will remain wet through the night. The lack of sunlight allows the water to sit on your plants for too long, leaving it susceptible to certain dangers since the water does not evaporate. These wet areas encourage fungi and bacteria to reproduce and grow on your plant. Plants can not only rot, but they can also become damaged at the root level, which eliminates any chance at saving them.
Watering in the Afternoon
It might not seem harmful to water in the afternoon since the moisture wouldn’t have as much of a chance to remain on the foliage. During the afternoon, you should avoid watering the plants excessively; thus, the plants are left without moisture for a considerable period of time. As a result of excess water being heated in the afternoon sun by afternoon watering, plant foliage can also be scorched. Obviously, you don’t want your plant to be excessively wet, but you also don’t want it to be extremely dry. It is a challenge to strike the right balance. Moisture extremes are not needed by most plants, especially if the moisture is too high or too low.
Watering in the Evening
You shouldn’t become accustomed to watering your plant at night, but occasional evening irrigation won’t hurt it. Watering at night could cause the moisture to remain on the foliage too long, leading to microbial and fungal growth. Water could evaporate too quickly in the evening when the temperature is too high, leaving the plant without moisture for too long. You should let the roots get most of the water if you must water your plants only in the evening because of your busy schedule. Keep the foliage free of too much moisture. Providing sufficient water to the roots will prevent the foliage from getting too much water or no water at all.
Is It a Good Idea to Skip Watering?
Plants should be watered daily most of the time. Exceptions must be taken into account.
In situations where your plants have been overly watered the previous day, skipping a day’s watering is often necessary to prevent waterlogging. Because they come from drier climates, some plants don’t need daily watering.
The following plant varieties do not require daily watering:
- Succulents
- Pothos
- ZZ Plants
- Snake Plants
- Ponytail Palms
- Begonias
- Air Plants
- Cast iron plants
- Chinese evergreens
Plants that Must Be Watered Daily
It is obvious that wetter climate plants should be watered daily, however, there are some plants that need watering every day without exception. The following plants are among them:
- Vegetable plants
- Potted plants
- Impatiens
- Lotus
Think About Indoor Heating and Air Systems
The temperature in your house can affect the growth of your plants. If you adjust the temperature during the night, this can dry them out. You should not overwater nor should you water at night, but a light misting won’t harm your plant if it gets a little dry during the day.
Summary
Like animals and people, plants are living things. While they have some basic needs, different species thrive or barely survive in different circumstances. Knowing the origin of your plants is essential. In order for your plant to thrive, the climate in your home should be somewhat similar to the conditions it was meant to thrive in. Avoid direct sunlight for your indoor plants, but indirect sunlight for six hours a day is sufficient for most of them. A second reason for knowing your plant’s original environment is to determine whether it can survive in that environment.