How to water hanging plants is one of the typical questions that plant enthusiasts regularly face because while it is easy to marvel at the aesthetic beauty of hanging plants, it is a struggle to take care of them in such a setup.
When it comes to the standard placement of plants, you can easily water them from the top, but with hanging baskets, there is a greater risk of creating a mess.
Since indoor hanging plants are in greater contact with elements such as wind and light, they tend to dry out faster than plants stationed otherwise, so you need to be aware of the best times to water them to maintain their longevity.
Once you have fixed up your hanging baskets and put the plants in them, you can learn about the most efficient ways of watering them in the following sections!
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How Can I Water My Hanging Plants? Explained Naturally
You can water your hanging plants with a watering wand, water slices, or ice cubes. You can also utilize a siphon, a water well, or a watering tray. You should also use a towel, a bucket, or water-absorbing elements to avoid mess.
1. Utilizing a Watering Wand
One of the methods that you can use if you want to water your hanging plants is by using a watering wand.
It is best if you use a watering rod that has got an adjustable head attached to it. As you must know, there are many types of wands. One variety includes the flexible spray patterns you can use for spraying plants. For hanging baskets, a good choice is a soft shower.
2. Adding Water-absorbing Substances
Another method you can use is adding substances that absorb water in your hanging basket. If you don’t go to your basket over and over again, this would be a good option.
You can try adding polymer to your hanging basket, and if you do not have it, then adding water-absorbing crystals would be a suitable choice. It is essential to know that the crystals can absorb their weight multiple times when put into the water. Once they drink it, they release the water gradually at their own pace.
3. Using Water Slices
You can also use water slices to help you. To begin with, firstly, you have to pick a piece and place it in any bowl that is filled with water. Now, you have to leave the slice in the water bowl for an estimated three hours. After the given time, you can take the portion out, and without waiting, you have to place it at the end of the hanging basket.
You should do it carefully if you try this method for the first time. Gradually, the water slice will keep releasing water. It will keep doing so for at least one week, and even when you water your plant, it will gather more to release gradually after that resulting in a much healthier watering system.
4. Utilizing Water Wells
A practical method that can be put to use is to utilize water well with your hanging planter. To do so, you must start by placing the well in the bottom end of the hanging basket before planting anything in it. Once you do so, you must add only a little water to the hanging basket. Next, you must top the water in the hanging planter with the planting mix.
When you are done with doing it, you will notice that the well will take the role of a reservoir, and it will help the plants a lot. The plants can pull the water up through their roots and have good growth.
5. Using a Pot Inside the Main Pot
One of the best methods is to use a pot inside your planter. To begin with, you will have to leave your indoor plants in their plastic containers. After that, you have to remove them from the decorated pot they are in. Make sure to do this at the time before you water your plant rather than after you have watered your plant.
6. Conventionally Filling Your Pot
The simplest method you can use is first starting by taking your watering can and then filling as per the needs of your plant. After filling it, you must take your watering can and go to your plants to water them. You can put a towel underneath your basket to prevent the floor from getting wet or for safety. Placing a bucket below is also a good idea if you don’t have one.
This method will be helpful if you look forward to being done neatly and quickly. It is also optional to remove the towel and bucket from underneath the hanging planter.
Another method that you can put to use is by using a tray. Before you are about to water your plants, you have to place a transparent tray under the hanging planter. You can even put it below on the floor under your hanging planter. However, if you plan to use a traditional watering can, then it is all right to place the tray inside the planter.
If you are going to use the second method, it will be much better. This is because you will not have to keep switching the places of the transparent tray before and after watering your plants.
7. Utilizing a Siphon
The method of utilizing a siphon is slightly different from the other methods and is also more enjoyable. However, it is easy, just like the rest of the methods. To start, you must take any plastic container or even a glass. After that, you have to take a piece of cotton that should be around six inches long.
Once you have the cotton, you must start filling your preferred container. Next, you have to put the water container right in the soil of your hanging planter. Moving on, you will have to start burying one end of your cotton strip into the potting mix. When you see that at least two to three inches of the cotton have gone inside, you will take the other end of the cotton strip and soak it in the water container.
The cotton will become a wick and take water from the tank to the soil. When it does so, the plant will gradually be moisturized. You should remember that mostly when the water suddenly leaks or drips, it is watering your plant at once. At that time, the water goes down the drainage holes extremely fast.
The speed at which it goes down is faster than absorbing itself in the soil, and even then, one section of the water leaks from the bottom of the planter. However, you will not face such issues when you use the siphon technique.
During this method, the soil will be soaked much slower and allowed to absorb whatever it needs. Most importantly, very little water will be wasted, and most of the water will be used up.
8. With Ice
The last method you can use if you want to water your plants in the hanging planter is ice cubes. This method is straightforward and valuable when you run out of time and have to water your plants or are too lazy to move around. To begin with, you have to take two cubes of ice. The ice cubes should be large enough that two will come in one of your hands.
You must keep in mind that this method is to be applied if your container is small. After that, you must place both ice cubes in the hanging planter. Ensure that both ice cubes are facing toward the edge of the planter and not in the center.
If you place them in the center, it could shock the plants because of the sudden rise of the cold temperature, which would not be good for the plant’s system.
Now, the ice will slowly start to melt in the hanging planter. As the ice keeps melting, the water will absorb in the soil and then go over the entire plant. This method, as well as the siphon method, will reduce the dripping that could happen. Those people with larger planters can use five to six cubes of ice to obtain the same result.
Conclusion
If you have decided to hang plants to create a whimsical display, you will not have to worry about the most effective watering techniques after reading the guide above. From using ice cubes to watering trays to avoid a mess, we have made a list of the best methods for watering hanging plants, as you can check from these summarized points:
- You can use water slices or a watering wand when you want to water your hanging plants.
- You may also use ice cubes that melt gradually and water the plants without complications.
- Alternatively, you can also use a siphon or water well.
- To avoid making a mess, consider using a bucket, towel, or water-absorbing substances.
While many people might find that it can be frustrating to water plants that are hanging high, you will not have to go through the same issues since our article has simplified things by a large fraction. Now you can find the methods that suit your preference and water your plants easily to ensure their longevity and health!
