How Often Do I Need To Water An Indoor Tree?

There are all sorts of reasons to purchase an indoor tree for your home. They add a much-appreciated pop of life and color to a room, they are great to look at, and even provide clean oxygen-rich air for you to breathe. While some indoor trees require a bit of maintenance and upkeep, there are many that are resilient and require very little work to maintain. But every indoor tree needs water. If you recently purchased an indoor tree, you need to know how often you need to water it.

Most indoor trees need water no more than once a week, and some trees require water only twice a month or even monthly. Before watering, place a finger one inch into the soil to ensure the soil is dry beneath the topsoil. Water the soil thoroughly to ensure it is fully saturated. Suction out and remove any access moisture that makes its way to the tray underneath the pot.

Indoor trees, for the most part, are relatively easy to maintain. But just like every other plant, they require some attention from time to time. The best way to ensure that your indoor tree stays thriving for years to come is to make sure it not only gets sunlight but also water on a regular schedule. If you are confused as to how often you need to water your specific tree, read our tips and tricks for indoor tree watering, so your tree will stay properly hydrated throughout the year.

For the most part, indoor trees should not be watered more than once a week. There are a few exceptions and circumstances where a tree may require water more than once a week, but this is quite rare. In fact, many indoor trees, especially those that are specifically sold as indoor plants, require water only twice a month or even monthly.

These timelines are approximate standards and are subject to external factors. The key is understanding these factors and learning to spot the signs that it is time to water your indoor tree.

One thing you should know right away when caring for an indoor tree is that it is entirely possible to kill a tree by watering it too often. Overwatering can cause mold, root rot, and other issues. It can also drown the tree by depriving it of the oxygen pockets in the soil that it might require to live. While there are variables as to how often your indoor tree needs water, make sure you don’t overwater it.

One major factor that impacts how often you need to water an indoor tree is the tree itself. There are tens of thousands of tree species, and they all have different needs. Often, trees that are sold as “indoor trees” require less maintenance, watering, and even sunlight. This gives them the best chance of survival. But other indoor trees, especially some flowering trees and fruit trees, might require more water than others. Make sure you thoroughly read the care instructions for your tree, as this will act as a helpful watering guide.

The most important clue that it is time to water your tree is when the soil is dry. While this might sound obvious, the art of checking your indoor tree’s soil does take a little know-how and finesse

It is fairly easy to see when topsoil is dry. It is loose, crumbly, and often lighter in color. But you need to think about all the soil, otherwise, you may overwater your indoor tree.

The best way to check for dry soil is to stick your finger one to two inches into the soil. If your entire finger feels dry crumbly soil, then it is time to water. If, however, it feels moist under the topsoil, then it is best to wait and check the soil again in a few days.

Saturate The Soil: The key to successfully watering your indoor tree is saturating the soil. This means making sure all the soil gets good and wet. But it also means not over-saturating it. So make sure you find the balance by not flooding the plant.

Rotate 360 Degrees For An Even Distribution: Don’t just water the plant in one spot. Water all around the trunk of the tree for even water distribution.

Soak Up Extra Water Left In The Saucer Underneath: Removing access water from the drip tray underneath is also critical. Use a turkey baster or something similar to easily suction up the extra water that flows out the bottom of the pot. Failure to do so can overwhelm the plant, and make it flood. This can also lead to root rot or drowning the plant.

Water The Soil, Not The Leaves: Make sure you water the soil and roots, not the leaves. Watering leaves can cause mold and other plant issues. Always aim for the soil.

Indoor trees are a fantastic way to breathe life into your home. They add a lovely pop of green color while also adding some additional oxygen and removing harmful carbon dioxide from your environment. But these trees don’t take care of themselves. You need to water your indoor tree usually no more than once a week. Sometimes trees only need watering once a month. Check the care instructions for your tree, and inspect the soil to ensure it is dry before properly saturating the soil.