How to water fruiting plants

Most fruiting houseplants fall into this middle category, they like even moisture and regular watering but don’t want to sit in soggy soil.

Care instructions

1. Check the soil before watering.
   Insert your finger 1 inch (2–3 cm) into the soil. If it feels dry at that depth, it's time to water. These plants like consistent, but not constant moisture.

2. Water evenly.
   Make sure the entire root zone is watered. Water until it drains out of the bottom, then empty the saucer after a few minutes.

3. Adjust as needed.
   During fruiting, plants may need more frequent watering. In cooler seasons or while dormant, reduce frequency.

4. Use well-draining but moisture-retentive soil.
   A mix of peat/coco coir and perlite works well for holding moisture without getting soggy.

Watering methods

Water over the soil

1. Pour water over the soil, using, for example, a watering can or put the plant directly under a tap

2. Continue adding water to the pot until it starts to run out from the drainage holes

3. If you have a tray under the pot when watering, make sure you remove all the collected water afterwards - never let your plant sit in water

4. If you watered under a tap make sure that water has stopped running out from the bottom before putting it back

Bottom watering

1. Fill the plant tray with water

2. Make sure the soil is in contact with the water on the tray

3. Wait for about 10 minutes

4. Feel the soil to see if it absorbed enough water > if the soil is moist throughout, remove any excess water from the tray

5. If it’s still dry > add more water to the tray

6. Wait 20 more minutes before removing the excess

Bottom watering will not wash away salts and other minerals from the soil, so make sure to also give water over the soil every now and then.

Water bath

1. Fill a bucket or any other vessel with lukewarm water

2. Lower the whole pot down in the water, stop where the stem of the plant starts. Make sure all of the soil is under water

3. The water will now start to bubble - wait until it stopped

4. Lift the pot up and let the excess drain off

5. Put your plant back in the cachepot or on the tray

6. After 1 hour, check that your plant isn’t standing in water, if it is it might get overwatered and rot