Do you need to water potted plants every day?

Watering plants remains a challenge for many people: how often should you water them, and when do plants need water? For plants in pots and containers, watering is even more important than for plants in the ground. After all, they can’t go out and find water on their own, but are completely dependent on rainfall and your care. We’re happy to share our tips for watering potted plants.

Do plants in pots and containers need to be watered every day?

How often should you water potted plants? We’re often asked this question. The answer, of course, depends on various factors, such as the season. During the growing season, watering generously once a week is sufficient. For this, the pot or container must be large enough, and the frequency of watering naturally depends in part on the plant’s location and weather conditions. However, don’t overestimate the amount of rainfall. During an average shower, most of the rain falls outside the planter (the plants’ leaves act as a sort of umbrella). Plants in pots also dry out more quickly. Plants in the shade and those in larger containers dry out more slowly.

If your potted plants are in full sun, it’s definitely a good idea to water them every day. If you have a less sunny garden, or if the pots are in the shade, you can water them every other day in the summer, for example. Of course, you can also simply check the soil to see if they need extra water.

Be sure to check out our blog post on when and how much to water your plants.

During droughts and high temperatures

In hot weather, during droughts, and for pots placed in direct sunlight, you may even need to water your flowerpots and planters several times a day. This is especially true if your plants need a lot of water, are in direct sunlight, or are in small or narrow containers.

Watering More Often in the Summer

So in the summer, you’ll soon find yourself walking back and forth once or twice a day to keep all your precious potted plants in good condition. This is something to keep in mind if you’re thinking about adding a lot of flower pots and planters to your garden.

Be sure to check out our blog post “Top Tips for Potted Plants” for even more tips on keeping your plants in top condition.

Do your plants become lazy if you water them often?

It’s often said that you’ll end up with weak plants if you water them too often or too much. However, this doesn’t apply to potted plants! Plants in pots, planters, baskets, tubs, or any other type of container are, after all, completely dependent on rainfall and your care. After all, they can’t use their roots to search for water in the ground on their own.

Ask your gardening question, too!

In our "Garden Questions" section, we answer all your questions about gardens, plants, and gardening.