Many people believe they can only water plants in the morning but it can be done at night as well (Image: Getty)
Now that the weather is getting warmer most gardeners will be spending more time outside tending to their plants, but they may be relieved to hear they can still have a morning lie-in. It is often assumed that can only be watered early on in the day but there actually may be some benefits to waiting until the evening to do this essential task.
Tom Knight, a plant expert and founder of has shared that it is perfectly fine to water plants at night or even before you go to bed if you are busy during the day. He said: “When it comes to a watering schedule for plants, many gardeners will say they think the early morning is best. And that mindset has transitioned to indoor plants too.”
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The best time to water plants if when you have time so you do not underwater (Image: Getty)
“But there is no good science to show that this wisdom is actually correct. Or rather there is no compelling science that indicates plants have a preference for being watered in the morning instead of the evening.”
Many gardeners believe plants cannot be watered at night as they cannot fully absorb moisture if the sun is not out, but this is not true, and it can take up to a week or longer for a plant to fully dry out.
Tom said: “Your plant doesn’t absorb all the water as soon as you water it. Like charging a battery, it’s the potting medium that absorbs and holds onto water. This will deplete over time as the plant pulls the water into its roots.”
Watering plants at night also means less moisture is lost through evaporation which can help out your garden or houseplants during hot days.
It is fine to water plants at night as long as they have plenty of ventilation and you let the soil dry out between waterings.
Make sure to only water plants in the evening once the weather heats up (Image: Getty)
What do you need to consider if watering plants at night?
It is important to note that you should only begin watering your plants in the evening once the weather is reasonably warm later on in March.
When soil is both wet and too cold, it can make it vulnerable to mould, which can lead to fungal diseases, so it is best to only begin watering plants at night in mid to late spring.
However, plants can generally be watered at any time of day, and it is better to do it when you have time than risk underwatering your garden or houseplants.
Tom said: “The worst time to water houseplants is when they’ve fully dried out and have started to wilt and look faded. This is extreme dehydration for most plants, all the water from the potting soil has gone and the the plant itself is on the edge.”