Plants are living things, and they rely upon water to survive. Watering your plant is easy to forget, even if you have the best intentions. The truth is that many potted houseplants require much more water than their garden-bound counterparts. One, in particular, the philodendron, is a plant that will die if it goes without water for too long.
Watering philodendron at least once every two weeks is the most popular schedule. The key is allowing the soil to dry out a little before rewatering it. Consider increasing the frequency with which you water if there is more light in the area where your philodendron lives.
Philodendron is easy to care for and, therefore, a popular choice for new plant owners. However, knowing when your philodendron needs water is essential. There are hundreds of varieties of this tropical plant, but they all have one thing in common: they are heavy drinkers.
How To Tell if Your Philodendron Needs Water
Some of us keep houseplants as a fun way to add some life to our living spaces because it’s nice to have something green in an otherwise artificial environment. A well-cared-for philodendron can live many years, but if you’re not sure yours is getting what it needs, you have to know how to ask.
It can be hard to keep a plant alive, especially when they seem delicate and wilt at the slightest environmental change. To assist you, here are a few different ways to check if your philodendron needs water
Change in Leaf coloration
The leaves of the philodendron are an indicator of how much water the plant has received. Therefore a clue that your philodendron needs water is a shift in the overall appearance of its leaves.
The plant has been over or under-watered when the leaves have changed from a dark green of healthy foliage to a light yellow or brownish-green color.
As with most plants, philodendrons can suffer from chlorosis – a condition where the leaves appear yellow or pale green instead of their usual dark green color. Other symptoms include translucent veins and leaf curling or folding.
Alternatively, the leaves of your philodendron will seem droopy and begin to wilt when it needs water.
Check the Soil
The quick way to tell if your philodendron needs water is to look at the soil.
When it’s time to water your plant, look at the top of its soil. If it’s dry and powdery, you’re in luck – it’s thirsty! But if the top layer of soil is still moist, wait a few days before giving it another dose.
If you aren’t sure just by looking at the plant, you can see if it needs watering by poking your finger a few inches deep into the soil. If the soil appears moist when you remove your finger, the philodendron doesn’t need any more water. If not, give it a few spritzes of water to keep your plant happy and moisten the soil.
A better method is to use a Gouevn Soil Moisture Meter from Amazon.com. It’s inexpensive and easy to use – insert the sensor into the soil until it’s 2-3 inches (5.08-7.62 cm) deep, wait for 30 – 60 seconds, then read the moisture reading on the screen. This will tell you if your Philodendron needs any water.
Check the Pot
If you’ve got a philodendron in your home, chances are you’ve been tasked with watering it once or twice. Thankfully, this isn’t too difficult, and you can tell if your plant needs water by picking up the pot.
When you pick up the pot, you should be able to tell if there’s extra weight caused by water pooling at the bottom. If not, you may need to give your philodendron a few spritzes of water.
If the pot is too heavy for you to lift easily, it probably has too much water, and may even be drowning.
Waiting too long between waterings can be bad for your plant, but so can overwatering.
How Often Should You Water Your Philodendron?
The beauty of a houseplant is that it brings you the gift of nature, even when you cannot spend time outside. Indoor greenery is also an excellent way to add color to your home – but it’s essential to remember that they’re living things and need a little care now and then. The main question is, how frequently should you water your philodendron?
You should water your philodendron at least every 2 weeks, especially one that gets plenty of natural indirect light. If your plant looks like it’s dying, cut back on the time between watering. You should water your philodendron when the top 2-3 inches (5.08-7.62 cm) of soil is dry.
Rules for watering philodendrons also depend on the potting medium you use. If you use a standard potting mix that drains well, water your plant until the excess water runs out the bottom of the pot. In this case, you’ll have to water more frequently because the moisture in the soil will dry quicker.
Suppose you use a potting mix that doesn’t drain as well. You will likely need to water your plant less because the soil will stay moist for longer. To find out when to water your plant, it’s best to run your finger into the soil to ensure it’s not saturated before watering again.
Overwatering
There are two golden rules for watering your philodendron: don’t overwater, and never allow your plants’ soil to dry out completely. It’s essential to keep your plant healthy, so don’t overdo it with the water.
That being said, the most common mistake made by new growers is overwatering. This can lead to an entirely new set of problems, such as root rot, fungal growth, or in most extreme cases, the death of the plant.
One thing to note about these beautiful plants is that they are susceptible to overwatering. If you can see that your plant has yellow leaves or has lost its variegation, it could be a sign of overwatering.
To prevent these problems, you’ll have to understand how much water your plants need each season.
Watering Needs: Winter vs. Summer
While your philodendron is growing and thriving, it’ll still need attention to stay alive. Therefore the most crucial thing to keep in mind is a watering schedule.
As a plant owner, you will often be faced with keeping your plants watered. Knowing how much water is appropriate for your plants can be tricky, especially when facing different climates.
House plants have different watering needs during contrasting seasons, so it’s vital to keep track of when to water your plant and how much it needs.
Winter
If you’re living in a city like Chicago, where winter temperatures are rather intense, formatting a watering schedule can be pretty tricky.
Your philodendron will find itself in a dormant state during the winter seasons. This will decrease your plant’s growth significantly due to low temperatures slowing down the water loss process in its soil.
To water your plant during these chilly periods, it’s best to check the soil regularly using the methods mentioned above. When watering, use room temperature water approximately once every two weeks.
Be sure to water thoroughly; don’t just give them a few drops here and there. This will help ensure enough moisture reaches their roots, so they don’t die from a lack of hydration. It’s also a great idea to keep your philodendron plants together during winter. This will increase the room’s humidity and help your plants survive the harsh winter temperatures.
Summer
Warmer regions such as California are great for your philodendron’s growth, but, in this climate, they are subject to a more significant amount of care.
The sun’s rays are more intense during summer, especially in more arid regions, and the warmer temperatures encourage growth. This is a period when your plant will be most active. Here are some tips for taking extra care of your philodendron during summer:
- Make sure your plant receives some indirect sunlight.
- Give your plant more nutrition.
- Water your plant more frequently.
Your philodendron will need to be watered more regularly because the increased light makes for a more thirsty plant. A dehydrated plant means the soil will dry up quicker, thus needing to be watered at least once a week.
So, check the soil of your philodendron before watering to be 100% sure.
Summary
Some philodendrons have large leaves, and others have delicate stems – both can be affected by watering practices differently. It’s essential to research your specific plant and find out what kind of soil it prefers and how much water it needs.
Check your philodendron’s soil once a week during dry periods and once every two weeks during winter. It’s crucial not to let the soil completely dry out.
If the environment of your plant changes, you should compensate with more or less water. After a while, you’ll better understand how to judge watering your plant and adjust accordingly on the fly.
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I’m Elsa, and I love gardening. I started GardeningElsa.com as a resource for other gardeners, and I offer expert advice on gardening topics such as plants, flowers, herbs, and vegetable gardening. On my website, I share my latest tips and tricks for creating beautiful gardens. When I’m not working on my website, you can find me in my own garden, tending to my plants and flowers. Read more about me.