The worst time to water plants is in the middle of the day around 12 noon. This will be when the sun is at its hottest and the water will evaporate quickly. The best time to water plants is in the early morning anywhere from 5am-10am. This will allow the plant to absorb the water before the sun comes out and will avoid mold and mildew growth.
Worst Times and Best Times to Water Plants
The worst times to water your plants are during the hottest parts of the day. For some regions this is the middle of the day around 12pm while in others the temperature gets hotter around 2-3pm. When the sun at its hottest the plants will dry out faster and less water will reach plant roots and leaves.
Avoid watering your plants late at night, after the sun goes down, anywhere from 9-12pm. Water that sits on the leaves can cause mildew or mold growth and damage the plant.
Worst Time to Water Plants
The absolute worst time to water your outdoor plants is in the middle of the day around 12 noon. This is when the sun is the hottest because it is high in the sky, so the evaporation rate is a lot faster and the plants will dry out in just a short period of time.
Another reason to avoid watering plants when it’s super-hot outside is that moisture and heat can cause mildew on the plants, and this is definitely something people wish to avoid.
To make sure the water you use to water the plants is used more efficiently, don’t water them when it’s hot outside.
Best Time to Water Plants
According to experts, the best time to water your plants is in the early- to mid-morning time frame somewhere between 5am-10am. It’s likely a lot cooler at that time and therefore, the plants will continue to drink up the moisture for a long time after you water them.
The sun isn’t as hot outside and the water doesn’t evaporate nearly as quickly if you wait until after 10:00 a.m. Because of this, your plants will get more moisture and the moisture will remain where it needs to be to hydrate the plants.
Check out this video to see the best time to water your plants.
4 Plant Watering Tips
Believe it or not, there is a right way and a wrong way to water your plants. The process involves so much more than just pouring water over the plant and hoping you got it right. Here are a few tips for making your plant watering a lot more efficient.
1. Water Deeply and Evenly
It is better to water less frequently but more deeply than it is to water shallowly on a regular basis. If you’re afraid of over-watering, no need to worry because all you have to do is water until it starts to drain out of the bottom of the pot.
If you don’t water deeply enough, the water won’t reach the roots and only the top part of the soil will receive the hydration it needs. If you stop watering when the water starts to drain out of the pot, your plants will get the right amount of hydration.
2. Discard Any Excess Water for Potted Plants
After you water your plant and the water is starting to drain, go ahead and let it sit in the saucer for around 15 minutes. After the 15 minutes are up, drain the saucer of all of the water in it.
If you don’t drain the water out of the pot after 15 minutes, it can cause root rot, and this can lead to having to discard the plant after a while.
4. Learn How Often to Water
Most plants do not need to be watered daily. In fact, most of them should be watered two to three times a week, so in addition to knowing how to water your plants, it’s good to know how often you have to water them, too.
For more tips, check out my articles here:
- How Much Water Does a Banana Tree Need? | Tips for Home Growers
- How Much Water do Radishes Need? | A Simple Guide
- How to Water Strawberry Plants | 3 Easy Methods to Avoid Fungal Growth
- How to Tell if Pothos Needs Water | Top 5 Signs (with Pictures)
- How Long Plants Can Go Without Water | 3 Low-Water Indoor Plants
Is It OK to Water Plants at Night?
It is generally not a good idea to water your plants at night. This is because the sun isn’t out to dry up any of the moisture, so the water you sprinkle over the plant just sits in the container. Because of this, the plants are at risk of developing numerous fungal and bacterial diseases.
Is It OK to Water Plants in Late Afternoon?
It is perfectly acceptable to water plants in the late afternoon, much for the same reasons that it’s good to water plants in the mornings.
The sun is not nearly as hot and is actually starting to go down in late afternoon, which means the water the plants do receive hydrates them much more efficiently.
Best Time to Water Plant in Hot Weather
If the weather is hot, you can water your plants, but you might have to water them a little differently. It is important to water only in the morning or late afternoon. The rest of the day is too hot to water your plants.
Let the pots spend a little time in the shade. Never water plants in the hottest time of the day because too much water will evaporate.
Do not worry if your plants droop on a warm day, water them at the end of the day and they will stand back up in the morning.
When to Water Plants in Winter
It is important to remember to keep watering your plants even when it’s cold outside. You can keep them on the same schedule as before, but you should do your watering in the middle of the day and not late in the day.
They will have more time to absorb the water and won’t freeze at night when the temperatures get too low. You’ll want to skip watering them in the late afternoon because that may not give them enough time to absorb the water and may end up freezing the water later in the evening.
Conclusion
Plants should be watered in the morning and never in the middle of the day when the sun is at its hottest. You can, however, water plants in the middle of the day when the weather gets cool and the sun is not out in full force. Don’t worry if your plants droop in hot weather, water them again at the end of the day and they will stand back up in the morning.
I am an accredited practicing dietitian, experienced gardener and a dedicated cook. I love writing and sharing my experience so you can learn from my successes and mistakes.