Should you water plant leaves?
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It's the eternal debate: should you wet the foliage or only the base of the plant?
The answer isn't so simple. In nature, rain wets everything. But in our gardens and living rooms, water on leaves can be either a vital benefit or the cause of a slow death by disease.
It all depends on the plant, the location (indoors/outdoors), and the tool used. Let's separate fact from fiction.
1. Indoors: YES to misting!
Our homes are deserts for tropical plants (Monstera, Ficus, Calathea). Heating and air conditioning dry out the air, causing the tips of the leaves to turn brown and attracting spider mites.
The lifesaving action: Mist the foliage 1 to 3 times a week.
- This cleans the dust (the plant breathes better).
- This recreates the humidity of their natural environment.
- This prevents parasite attacks.
Warning: We are talking about a "light mist", not soaking the plant until the water runs onto the floor.
The essential tool for winter
To counteract the dry air from heating without flooding your living room, you need an ultra-fine mist.
- ☁️ Micro-droplets: Hydrates without dripping.
- ✨ Decorative Object: Made of gilded brass, it remains within easy reach on the shelf.
2. Outdoors / Vegetable Garden: NO to watering the leaves
In the garden, it's the opposite. Watering the foliage of tomatoes, roses or courgettes is often a mistake.
- Diseases: Stagnant water on the leaves promotes Downy Mildew and Powdery Mildew (these white or black fungi that kill the harvest).
- Waste: The water on the leaves evaporates before reaching the roots.
- Burns: In direct sunlight, the drops can act as a magnifying glass (although this risk is often exaggerated, it does exist on young shoots).
The golden rule in the garden: Always aim for the base of the plant, never the top.
To water at the base (without bending down)
In the garden, water should be applied to the soil without wetting the lower leaves. The Parisian watering can is designed for this purpose.
- 🎯 Long beak: Allows you to reach the base of the tomatoes without touching the foliage.
- 🌧️ Adjustable nozzle: Direct the jet downwards for total precision.
3. The Exception: Hairy plants
Some houseplants have fuzzy leaves (like the Saintpaulia , the Begonia Rex or some Calatheas ).
Never wet their leaves! The hairs retain water, causing the leaves to rot very quickly. Water them only through the soil, using a watering can with a very fine spout to reach under the foliage.
Surgical Precision
For dense or hairy plants, you need to slide the watering can under the leaves. The spout of our copper watering can is designed for this.
- 🎯 Fine Beak: Slip between the stems without wetting the velvet of the leaves.
- ✨ Design: Elegance at the service of the health of your plants.
In summary
Mist the smooth tropical plants (Monstera, Ficus).
Avoid wetting vegetable garden plants and hairy plants.
Having the right tools means respecting the nature of each plant.
See the Designer Watering Cans collection