Guide on Watering 18 Most Common Indoor Plants

If you’re like me, keeping indoor plants happy and healthy is a rewarding but sometimes challenging task.

Understanding the unique watering needs of each plant is crucial for their well-being.

Whether you’re nurturing a delicate peace lily or a hardy snake plant, knowing how often to water and what type of water to use makes all the difference.

 

Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum)

Spider plants thrive with a moderate amount of water. You should water your spider plant once a week, ensuring the soil is moist but not soggy.

When watering, use room-temperature distilled water or rainwater, as spider plants can be sensitive to the chemicals found in tap water.

During the winter months, you need to reduce the watering frequency slightly, as the plant’s growth slows down.

 

Snake Plant (Sansevieria trifasciata)

Snake plants require very little water. You only need to water once every two to three weeks, allowing the soil to dry out completely between waterings.

Besides, use room-temperature tap water that makes the water reach the soil without wetting the leaves.

During the winter, you extend the watering intervals to about once a month, as the plant’s growth slows down significantly.

 

Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum)

Peace lilies prefer consistently moist soil but not waterlogged, so you need to water once a week, keeping an eye on the soil to ensure it doesn’t dry out completely.

When the plant starts to droop, it’s a clear sign it’s thirsty, then immediately use distilled water or rainwater to water your plants.

Additionally, you should mist the leaves occasionally to increase humidity, as peace lilies thrive in more humid environments.

 

Aloe Vera

Aloe vera needs infrequent watering, about once every three weeks. The key is to let the soil dry out completely between waterings.

When watering your aloe vera, consider using a watering can with a long spout containing tap water that has been left out for 24 hours to allow any chlorine to dissipate.

Ensuring proper drainage is also vital; you use a well-draining cactus mix to prevent water from sitting in the pot.

 

Philodendron

Philodendrons enjoy consistently moist soil, but they don’t like to sit in water. You water mine once a week, ensuring the top inch of soil is dry before watering again.

When watering, use room-temperature tap water and look for a watering can to water precisely at the base of the plant.

Additionally, misting the leaves occasionally can help maintain the humidity levels philodendrons thrive in.

 

ZZ Plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia)

ZZ Plants are incredibly resilient and can thrive with minimal care, so you only need to water mine roughly once every two to three weeks..

A watering can with a long, narrow spout is perfect for directing water to the soil without wetting the leaves.

During the winter, you extend the intervals between waterings even further since the plant’s growth slows down.

 

Pothos (Epipremnum aureum)

Pothos prefers its soil to be kept slightly moist but not waterlogged. Water mine once a week, but always check if the top inch of soil is dry before adding more water.

Besides, you should use a small watering can with a narrow spout to target the soil directly without splashing the leaves.

During the colder months, you can reduce the watering frequency to about once every two weeks, as the plant’s growth rate decreases.

 

Fiddle Leaf Fig (Ficus lyrata)

Fiddle leaf figs need consistent but moderate watering, so you water once a week, ensuring the top two inches of soil are dry before the next watering.

Additionally, you should use distilled water or rainwater, as fiddle leaf figs can be sensitive to the salts and chemicals in tap water.

You also make sure yours is in a pot with good drainage to prevent water from accumulating at the bottom.

 

Monstera (Monstera deliciosa)

Monstera like their soil to be kept consistently moist but not soggy, so watering once a week is sufficient and overwatering can lead to root rot

Besides, you should use distilled water or rainwater to prevent the buildup of minerals and chemicals found in tap water.

During the winter, reduce the watering frequency to every two weeks, as the plant’s growth slows down.

 

Rubber Plant (Ficus elastica)

The rubber plant prefers their soil to be kept consistently moist but not waterlogged. Depending on the season, you can water yours every one to two weeks.

A watering can with a narrow spout is perfect for this task, allowing you to water the soil directly without splashing the leaves.

During the winter months, you should reduce the watering frequency slightly, as the plant’s growth slows down.

 

Boston Fern (Nephrolepis exaltata)

Boston ferns need their soil to remain consistently moist but not soggy, so water yours two to three days, especially during the warmer months.

For watering, a spray bottle works wonderfully to mist the fronds daily, creating a humid environment that boston ferns love.

During the winter, you need to reduce the watering frequency slightly but keep misting regularly.

 

Jade Plant (Crassula ovata)

Jade plants need to be watered sparingly, so you need to water yours every two to three weeks, allowing the soil to dry out completely between waterings.

Overwatering is the biggest threat to a jade plant, as it can lead to root rot. When watering, use room-temperature tap water that has been left out for 24 hours to let any chlorine dissipate.

During the winter months, reduce the watering frequency even further, as the plant’s growth slows down.

 

Chinese Evergreen (Aglaonema)

Chinese evergreen prefer their soil to be kept moderately moist so, you water yours once a week.

A watering can with a narrow spout works best, allowing you to water the base of the plant without wetting the leaves.

During the colder months, you can reduce the watering frequency slightly, as the plant’s growth slows down.

 

Areca Palm (Dypsis lutescens)

Areca palms prefer their soil to be kept consistently moist but never waterlogged, so water yours once a week, ensuring the top inch of soil is dry before watering again.

Moreover, you should use distilled water or rainwater, as these palms can be sensitive to the fluoride and chlorine in tap water.

Additionally, areca palms thrive in higher humidity, so you mist the fronds regularly to mimic their natural tropical environment.

 

Dracaena

Dracaena plants prefer their soil to be kept evenly moist but not soggy so ensure the top inch of soil is dry before watering again.

Every one to two weeks, you should water yours with a watering can to let water directly approach the soil without wetting the leaves.

Additionally, dracaenas benefit from occasional misting to maintain humidity, especially in dry indoor environments.

 

Cast Iron Plant (Aspidistra elatior)

The cast iron plant, or are quite forgiving when it comes to watering. They prefer their soil to be kept slightly moist but can tolerate periods of dryness.

You should water yours every two weeks and avoid waterlogging.

During the winter, reduce the watering frequency slightly, as the plant’s growth slows down.

 

Begonia

Begonias prefer their soil to be kept consistently moist but not waterlogged, so water yours once a week, making sure the top inch of soil is dry before the next watering.

In addition, you should use room-temperature distilled water or rainwater, as these plants can be sensitive to the chemicals in tap water.

A watering can with a long, narrow spout is ideal for this task, allowing you to direct water to the base of the plant without wetting the leaves. This helps prevent fungal diseases that begonias are prone to.

 

Umbrella Plant (Schefflera arboricola)

The umbrella plant thrives on a moderate watering schedule, so you need to water yours every one to two weeks, ensuring the top inch of soil is dry before adding more water.

These plants prefer evenly moist soil, but overwatering can lead to root rot, so it’s important to avoid letting the plant sit in water.

During the winter months, you should reduce the watering frequency slightly as the plant’s growth slows down.