The root systems of plants can be quite sensitive to changes in temperature. Stress to the roots of a plant can cause wilting or yellowing of leaves. Think of the roots as the plant’s brain—you want to protect this complex system to ensure the rest of the plant grows and functions properly. Avoid watering your plants with ice-cold or hot water. Room-temperature water is the ideal choice.

Tillandsias are epiphytic, which means they absorb moisture from the air. They naturally grow in a very humid climate, so to give them the moisture they need, there are a few different methods you can try. It’s a good idea to alternate between misting and soaking your plant to keep it from drying up. Strangely enough, it’s actually best to use rainwater instead of tap water if possible.

African violets have fuzzy leaves that feel just like velvet. While these popular flowering houseplants are typically easy to care for, you need to avoid watering the plant overhead because moisture can collect in the fuzzy foliage and will quickly develop mold. However, if you water the soil by placing the pot in a saucer of water it will wick up from below, the foliage will remain dry.

It’s much harder for a plant to bounce back from overwatering! Overwatering causes soggy, waterlogged soil, which can lead to an overgrowth of bad bacteria or fungi. Root rot will attack the sensitive roots of your plants, and it’s very hard to treat rotting roots without shocking a plant that’s already in bad shape. Fungi in soggy soil can also attract fungus gnats, and their larvae will chow down on your plant’s roots. Most houseplants prefer if the first few inches of soil in their pot dries out before getting watered again. Plant pots with holes in the bottom are always recommended for preventing moisture buildup.

So many of our favorite indoor plants come from areas of the world with humid, tropical weather. Here in the Great Plains, we certainly don’t have a coastal climate, and our dry air can be tough on plants. All of the above methods are very effective at providing plant foliage with extra moisture.

If you water your garden early in the morning before the soil is warm from the sun, the water will help insulate your plants’ roots and protect them from heat stress. It also gives your plants a better opportunity to soak up moisture because water evaporates faster during the warmer parts of the day. Watering too late in the day can lead to disease issues if water droplets remain on leaves or flowers overnight.

Orchids get a bad rap for being supposedly high-maintenance, but the phalaenopsis orchid really isn’t tough to care for at all! Just give that root ball a good rinse every week or two, gently shake off the excess moisture and place it back in the pot. Many people insist you can use the ice cube method, but we don’t recommend it, as the cold temperature can shock your orchid’s roots.

Tap water has trace amounts of chlorine in it, and while it’s safe for us to consume, it can build up in the soil of your potted plants over time, which isn’t great for your plants. While minerals are also good for your plants in the right amounts, sometimes hard water from the tap can contain too many minerals, and these will build up and calcify around the bottom of your plant pots. Letting your tap water sit out for at least one day will help to keep these things from harming your plants.

It can get pretty hot during the peak summer months, especially if your container plants are in direct sunlight all day. On particularly hot days, you might notice the soil drying out quickly. If you haven’t experienced much rain, it’s a good idea to give your baskets a thorough watering every morning. This will help protect them from heat stress later in the day. There may be a need however, during extreme wind and heat to water a second time if plants are rootbound, especially in small planters.

Mulch doesn’t look like much, but it has so many benefits for our gardens! It’s typically made from chipped bark but can also be made out of straw or shredded leaves. It blocks the sun from directly hitting the soil surface and heating it up, which can dry up all that precious moisture. With a nice blanket of mulch, your plants stay hydrated longer, and you don’t have to water as often. Fun fact: it helps block weeds from sprouting, too!