Check moisture levels
Outdoor potted plants tend to dry out more quickly and require more water than plants planted in the landscape. This is because potting soils are lighter in composition and less compact than garden soil. The size of the container also limits the water holding capacity. Watering potted plants once a day, or even twice daily, may be necessary-especially if the weather turns hot and windy or your containers are in full sunlight.
Indoors, most potted plants tend to be over-watered. They generally don’t need to be watered more than once or twice per week.
The important thing is to check moisture levels often. If the potting soil appears pale or cracked, or feels dry below the soil’s surface, then it’s time to water. If plants are wilted and droopy, (or just in a plain old bad mood) then they’re already seriously stressed and in need of immediate watering and potentially a trip to a therapist.
The use of a moisture meter can be very helpful. If you don’t own a moisture meter, get one-it’s better than using your fingers to check, and you’ll cut way down on your manicure bills.
The idea is to water thoroughly but allow enough time between waterings for the soil to begin drying out. If the potting soil remains soggy for too long, air will be forced away from the roots and your plants may suffocate or drown.
Don’t let plants sit in standing water. If a saucer is used under a container, make sure that it does not remain wet for more than an hour or two after watering. Poor drainage and damp soil conditions favor root-killing disease fungi that can develop as root rot and cause the plant to die.
If a potted plant gets too dry, stand the container in a bucket of water so that it can soak water right up into the soil. This is a better method than watering with a hose or can; in that case, the water will run straight through and around the dry soil where it has shrunk away from the side of the pot.