Why Is Watering Important for My Plants?

Water is super important for your plants—it helps them stand tall, stay cool, and get the nutrients they need.

Imagine plant cells like tiny water balloons. When they’re full of water, the plant stays firm and upright. But if they don’t have enough water, they start to droop and look sad. That’s when it’s time to give them a drink, especially if the soil feels dry too.

Besides water, plants have something called cellulose that gives them structure, but water pressure inside the cells is what really keeps them looking fresh and strong.

When you water your plant, something called transpiration happens. It’s like the plant “breathing out” water through tiny pores on its leaves. The sun helps this water evaporate, and the plant pulls more water up from the roots to replace it. But if the roots don’t have water, the plant starts using the water inside its leaves—which isn’t good for it.

How Often Should I Water My Plants?

In Malaysia’s tropical climate, where the weather is consistently warm and humid with occasional heavy rain, your plant’s watering needs depend not just on the species, but also on airflow, light levels, and whether the plant is indoors or outdoors.

Drought-Tolerant Plants

Drought-tolerant plants like succulents, cacti, sansevieria, and zz plants are adapted to dry conditions and don’t need frequent watering—even in Malaysia. They store water in their leaves, stems, or roots, and do best when their soil is allowed to dry out completely between waterings. Indoors, you’ll usually only need to water them every 2 to 3 weeks. Always check that the potting mix is fully dry before watering again.

Moisture-Loving Plants

Moisture-loving plants such as philodendrons, ferns, and peace lilies thrive in Malaysia’s humid climate. They enjoy consistently moist soil but still need well-draining soil to prevent root rot. Water them about once every week, adjusting based on their location—plants in brighter or breezier spots may dry out faster and need watering more often.

How Much Water Should I Use?

The amount of water a plant needs depends on its variety and size. Potting soil acts like a sponge, drying out faster in smaller pots with less soil than in larger pots. Consequently, if you have two of the same plant but one is larger, the larger one will need more water.

How to Water Your Plants

Step 1: Check if the potting soil is completely dry at the top 3cm layer. Most plants benefit from drying out completely between waterings, although moisture-loving plants like ferns can be watered when the soil is mostly dry.

Step 2: If the soil is dry, fill a watering can with room temperature water. Depending on your water source, some tap water may contain too many hard minerals, so consider using filtered water if available.

Step 3: Water the soil evenly around the plant. Ensure the soil is saturated but not muddy, and avoid splashing water onto the foliage to prevent fungal or bacterial spots, unless the plant is an epiphyte without soil.

Step 4: Water up to one-fourth or one-third of the planter's volume. For planters without a drainage hole, be cautious with the amount of water used. For planters with drainage holes, water until excess drains out, then let the plant sit in the saucer for 15–30 minutes before discarding the excess water.

Should I Follow a Watering Schedule?

While it's important to keep plants hydrated, overwatering can cause them to drown. This is called overwatering, and if potting soil stays too wet for too long, plants can develop drooping leaves or root rot. On the other hand, consistently dry soil leads to underwatering.

The best approach is to be flexible with your plant care routine. Rather than sticking to a strict schedule, use a specific day to check your plants' moisture levels and water only those that need it.

Struggling to Know When to Water?

If you're not sure when your plant needs water, the Sustee Aquameter is a handy tool that can help. It sits in the potting mix and changes color to let you know when it's time to water. When the indicator is blue, there's still moisture in the soil. When it turns white, it's time to water. Simple, effective, and great for both beginners and experienced plant parents!

The Sustee Aquameter helps take the guesswork out of watering your plants.

Do Seasonal Changes Affect My Plants' Water Needs?

Malaysia doesn’t have the typical four seasons, but we do experience hot and rainy periods throughout the year. Because of these changing weather patterns, a fixed watering schedule might not work well for your plants. Some days they might need more frequent watering during hot, dry spells, while during rainy or humid periods, they need less. The best way is to check your plants’ soil moisture regularly and water them only when they actually need it.

How to Tell if Your Plant Is Overwatered 

Signs of overwatering usually show up 2–3 days after you water. Look for black patches with yellow edges on the leaves, or black, soft, mushy stems—especially near the bottom. If you gently squeeze the stem, water might ooze out, and the stem can fall off easily because the roots have rotted.

Sometimes you’ll see all these signs, sometimes just a few. If the overwatering is very bad and the roots are badly rotted, it can be hard to save the plant. But if it’s mild, you can try to help it recover.

Here’s what to do:

• Stop watering the plant.
• Move it to a bright, airy spot so the soil dries faster and the plant can recover.
• If the soil is still very wet when you notice the problem, gently take the plant out of the pot.
• Lay the plant on a dry cloth or paper, spread out the soil, and let everything dry out for a day.
• Once dry, replant the plant in dry soil and let it adjust in a bright spot.

Additional Watering Tips

• Water your plants in the morning so the soil and leaves have plenty of time to dry during the day.
• If you’re going away for a few days and your plant stays indoors with little air and light, avoid watering before you leave—unless you can put it outside in a shaded spot like a porch or balcony.
• Big pots hold more soil and stay wet longer, so plants in them need water less often than those in small pots.
• Try not to get water on your plant’s leaves when you water. Many tropical plants have waxy leaves that help water run off so they don’t get sick from fungus.
• Plants in bright light need watering more often, while those in low light need less.
• If you’re worried about giving your plant too much water, check for signs it’s thirsty first, like wrinkled leaves on succulents or droopy stems on tropical plants, plus dry soil.