How to Water Indoor Plants Correctly: 7 Pro Tips You Must Know

22 September 2025

How to Water Indoor Plants Correctly: Did you know? Most indoor plants die due to wrong watering habits. Yes, too much watering (overwatering) and too little watering (underwatering) are the biggest reasons for our indoor plants to suffer.

Table of Contents

How to Water Indoor Plants Correctly

Many plant lovers often ask this question: “How should I water my indoor plants?”
It seems so simple – I have to just water the plants! What’s a big deal in this?

But in reality, watering is one of the most important and challenging tasks in plant care. Too much or too little water can determine whether your plant will thrive or not.

Correct watering is the secret to healthy indoor plants.

Let’s check 7 Pro tips you must know before watering your indoor plants:

Pro Tip 1: Water Only When the Soil is Dry

Always check the soil before watering. If the top 1–2 inches of soil feel dry to touch, it’s time to water.

This is the golden rule for watering.

How I water my indoor plants:

I insert a stick into the soil to see if it is dry or wet.
If the soil doesn’t stick to the stick, it means the soil is dry, so I water my plants.
If the soil sticks to the stick, it means the soil is wet, so I wait for the soil to dry.

Pro Tip 2: Do not water in wet soil

One of the most common mistakes plant lovers make is watering their plants even when the soil is already wet. This habit doesn’t help the plant—it actually harms it.

Here are a few points to remember:

Never water in wet soil.
Always wait for a day or two until the top layer of soil feels dry.
Watering in wet soil can make the roots weak and suffocated.
Constantly moist soil promotes fungal infections and root rot, which are the biggest reasons why indoor plants die.

Pro Tip 3: Water until it drain out

Water until it begins to drain from the bottom of the pot.

What mistakes people usually make:

Giving just a little water every time. This might look fine for them, but it is actually harmful for the plant.

How I water my plants:

I always water my plants slowly and deeply.
I pour water until it starts draining out from the hole at the bottom of the pot.

How it helps my indoor plants:

Watering in this manner ensures that the water reaches the bottom and the roots get proper nutrition.

When the roots are well watered, the plant stays healthy and green and doesn’t dry out quickly. This ensures that the roots are getting enough moisture.

What to avoid:

Don’t underwater

Avoid giving too little water, as it can stunt plant growth and weaken your indoor plants over time.

Pro Tip 4: Watering Small Indoor plants

If you have small potted plants, such as succulents like Echeveria, or any other:

place the pot in a shallow container filled with water near kitchen sink,
the soil will absorb the moisture from the bottom.
Drain off any excess water after 15-20 minutes.

What to avoid:

Don’t water from overhead.
This can damage the small plants, their soil, and roots.

Pro Tip 5: Drain excess water from the pot

Never allow water to stay on the soil surface. This can cause root rot and fungal infections.

What I do:

When I water my indoor plants, I pour out any excess water that remains on the top of the soil.
This prevents the potting soil from becoming too wet, and there’s no risk of overwatering and fungal infections.

Pro Tip 6: Use a Watering Can

Always water your indoor plants with a watering can for a light and even watering.

What to avoid:

Avoid watering with a large mug or hose, as the sudden flow of water can damage the soil and harm the delicate roots.

Pro Tip 7: Water according to the Size of the Pot

The amount of water a plant needs depends a lot on the size of its pot.

Large pots require more water so that moisture can reach the roots at the bottom.
Small pots require less water, as overwatering can cause the soil to become soggy quickly.

What to avoid: