I have a crush on plants. Big surprise, ha? Well, I was trying to figure out what’s behind that crush: Was it my mum’s eternal jungle at home when I was a kid with a Monstera plant that looked like Tarzan could swing around on the aerial roots? Is it my longing for a bit more nature in an urban habitat? Don’t know exactly, I just feel like they are perfect roomies – less demeaning than a pet yet still alive and thriving. And yielding joy and happiness. Like anything alive, they too need some care. Most above all they need water. Especially now during summer. That’s why my fellow Urban Jungle Blogger Judith and I have decided to dedicate this month’s edition to the topic: Watering your plants.
Admittedly, the topic sounds a bit unspectacular but we thought there might be some good tips regarding watering houseplants out there. Especially for someone like me. Most of my plants are cacti and succulents and they require just a little bit of water. During the winter period I water them scarcely like once a month and during summer I water them either every week or every other week, depending on the weather and temperatures. Every other week I add a liquid fertilizer to the water and I take care that the soil is well hydrated without any dammed-up water. That’s all!
But there is one more watering trick I want to share with you. To give you an example: Last year when I prepared for my 3-weeks trip to the US and Canada, I was wondering how I am going to handle the watering problem for my pilea plant which is actually the only plant I have that demands more regular watering. Since I live alone in my apartment and I don’t really know my neighbors, this was a pretty crucial question. So what did I do?
The solution was so simple as if created in a kindergarden group. All I needed for this was a glass, mug or any other vessel filled up with water and an old shoe lace. I’ve filled up the glass with water, placed one end of the lace into the glass and the other end in the soil of my pilea plant. Result? When I returned after three weeks of holidays the glass was empty and the pilea was all green and happy! The shoe lace transports the water slowly from the vessel to the plant pot and secures a constant hydration without overwatering your plant. Perfect and easy! I repeated the same strategy during my Israel trip this spring and it worked again! I will stick to this!
Last but not least: I really wanted to share my new watering can with you as I’ve found a fabulous designy watering can by Swedish designer Kristina Stark but it didn’t arrive in time for my little photo shooting.
I hope this comes in handy for the summer season and your plants at home. If you have some more advanced watering tips, join our Urban Jungle Bloggers edition and share them with us! Happy planting!
Urban Jungle Bloggers is a monthly series initiated by 2 bloggers: Igor (Happy Interior Blog) and Judith (JOELIX.com). Every month we share ideas to create an urban jungle through styling ideas, DIYs and green tips & tricks. You can find additional inspiration on our Urban Jungle Bloggers Pinterest board and keep up-to-date on our Facebook page. Want to join? Use #urbanjunglebloggers on Twitter and Instagram. Or let us know and we’ll share the badge and upcoming topics with you. Let’s bring some green into your homes and blogs!
Photography by Igor Josifovic, last pic by Pflanzenfreude
24 Comments
Wow, such a clever trick, Igor! I’ve never heard of the shoelace! I’m so going to give this a try next time I’m traveling. Happy UJB day!!
Ja, Sukkulenten sind eine feine Sache und sehr kooperativ bezüglich ihres Wasserbedarfs. Und der Selbstversorgertrick ist ect klasse!
LG, Anette
I’d never think of that. Thanks!
My mom had a monster of a Montera 😉 as well. As did a lot of moms, I guess. So glad they’re back in vogue these days.
The trick with the shoe lace is super, definitely a must-try this summer!
…und ich sehe, Kork ist auch schon bei dir eingezogen 😉 Die Bauchnabel Pflanze hatte ich vor kurzem auch schon in der Hand… das wäre dann mein erstes Blättergewächs im Haus…vielleicht werde ich dann auch auf deine Schnürsenkel Methode zurückgreifen 🙂 lg, Anette
Wow, interesting! I never would have thought of that.
I’m sure this works well succulents but I question this on other type of plants that require more water like lillies of the nile. Any suggestions for those while you are away? I have used inverted bottles with a narrow neck. It helps
I don’t use the trick on my succulents in fact as they don’t require lots of water. I only use it on my pilea plant which requires at least watering once a week, when it’s hot even twice a week. For this one it worked perfectly over three weeks. For more tips see my friend Judith’s post today here: http://www.joelix.com/Urban-Jungle-Bloggers-11-+-giveaway
Aaaah, what an awesome idea!! Thanx! 🙂
You’re very welcome!
Oh my gosh Igor! This trick with the shoe lace is just groundbreaking!!!! Eureka! This will keep my plants alive! I’m really bad in taking care of my plants. But my dear husband set a reminder so he is in charge of keeping them alive and I’m so thankful for that!
This is really the easiest way to keep your plants watered while away! But good for you that your hubby takes care of them:-)
I love this. What a great tip, thank you.
I also love your watering jug and the one that hasn’t arrived yet.
I look forward to September’s UJB. Happy weekend my friend!
Thank you Tina! We have already brainstormed for September. It’s gonna be fun!!
That’s such a great idea.
Glad you like it. It is very easy & efficient, Adrienne!
I love the pictures you took Igor, and such a clever trick with the shoelace! greetings Julia
Thank you Julia:-)
I love your current watering ‘can’, where is it from?
Great tips!
Hi Dagny, thank you very much! In fact my watering can on the pictures is not a real watering can. I think it is more meant to be a kitchen accessory but I use it for my plants instead:-) I bought it in a little store in Berlin, but you can buy it here too: http://mshop.tictail.com/product/kork-essig-und-öl-gefäss
Thank you!
Here’s a useful tool suggestion — a bamboo kebob skewer. You can use it to test for moisture, just like you would test a cake to see if it’s done. You can stick it into the soil to see if any sticks, and also you can run it between your fingers to see if it feels damp or dry. This is helpful because sometimes one person’s “just a little bit of water” is not the same as another’s. And as everyone probably already knows, the secret to keeping succulents is to let the soil, all the way to the bottom of the pot, dry out almost completely between waterings. I’ve got lots more tips, if you’re interested, because I’ve taken care of potted plants professionally for over 30 years.
Thank you Marlie so much – this is truly helpful and insightful!!! I am happy for more tips – we can always share them with our community on our Urban Jungle Bloggers Facebook page!
Forgot to hit the notify me button….