Many beginners think that every child can water balcony plants properly. In fact, proper water supply has plenty of potential for mistakes that can end in disaster for the plants. This guide gets to the heart of when and how to properly water plants in balcony boxes and pots.
When and how should you water balcony plants?
Balcony plants should ideally be watered in the early morning or after sunset to avoid direct sunlight. Use stale water and pour it onto the substrate until the saucer is filled. Empty the coaster after 10 minutes to avoid waterlogging.
Recognizing signs of water need – this is how it works
If balcony plants let their leaves hang limply or if the leaf edges curl up, there is an urgent need for watering. To prevent this from happening, we recommend a regular finger test. To do this, press your thumb or index finger into the substrate. If you don't feel any moisture here, the plant wants to be watered. A daily finger test is recommended in spring and summer. In autumn and winter, check-ups are on the care plan at least once a week.
Time slot is open twice a day – quick instructions for correct watering
If balcony plants in boxes and pots signal a need for water, they are only watered in emergencies under bright sunlight. How to water with gardening expertise:
- Balcony plants should ideally be watered in the early morning hours
- Alternatively, water after sunset
- Let stale water run from the can spout onto the substrate
- Stop water flow when coaster fills
- Pour out the saucer after 10 minutes (exceptions are very thirsty plants, such as oleander)
Winter frost is associated with the risk of drought stress for balcony plants. Water during the cold season on frost-free days when the substrate surface is noticeably dry.
Tip
For balcony gardeners, the summer holiday season collides every year with the phase of highest water requirements for balcony plants. To ensure that the plants do not appear as withered bushes after the vacation, there are various options for automatic watering to choose from. The possibilities range from the inverted PET bottle with a clay cone to sophisticated irrigation technology.
