Should you water plant leaves?

A question we often ask ourselves when watering our crops: Should we just irrigate the soil? Should we also hydrate the leaves?

We are passionate about this topic and will guide you, starting now!

Watering the leaves can mimic the effect of rain on indoor plants. It's important to mist their branches 1 to 3 times a week.

Our article will teach you:

• Situations in which you should mist the foliage.
• Points to watch out for to avoid damaging the leaves.

Our tips will teach you how to take advantage of misting to beautify and promote growth in your plants. You'll no longer risk seeing their leaves dry out and lose their color.

Enough wasting time, let's find out all about it right away!

1. It is sometimes necessary to hydrate the leaves:

A) Spray the foliage indoors (especially if the atmosphere is dry)!

The interior of our homes is not the most conducive place for plants to thrive. They are cut off from all elements of their natural habitat.

In the forest , the shrubs are watered completely.

• The rain falls on their tops,
• Runs down the entire length of the branch towards the trunk ,
• Gradually soaks the upper surfaces of the earth (moss)
• Gradually spreads towards the root system .

So understand that watering is a natural cycle that does not simply consist of watering the roots.

Wind is also an important natural element that's lacking indoors! It blows the leaves, causing the weakest ones to fall. Wind and rain keep them clean and fresh.

Our favorite accessory for keeping foliage fresh is the Plant Sprayer . Much more than a gardening tool , this decorative accessory is generally a hit alongside our plants!

To ensure your houseplants thrive, you need to monitor the humidity in your home. Remember that many of our houseplants are tropical . The goal is to recreate a humid microclimate !

Avoid placing them right next to a strong heat source at all costs. Electric heaters and air conditioners are your plants' worst enemies. They severely dry out the air around them.

Here are some tips for increasing the humidity level in your home:

• Boil a pot of water , then let the water gradually evaporate into your room.
• Group your plants together to “share” the humidity they will capture.
• Place a layer of pebbles in the bottom of a bowl , then pour in a little water. Just enough to almost completely cover the pebbles, but without penetrating the bottom of the pot (it must still be able to breathe). The evaporation of the water will help recreate a humid ecosystem.

B) How to recognize foliage that lacks humidity?

If, despite abundant (but not too much) watering, the leaves turn brown or wilt, it may be because the air in your home is too dry.

C) Mist your garden when it’s hot:

In most of our European gardens, the air is quite humid and there is enough rain to refresh the foliage of our outdoor plants.

However, if your garden is facing a heatwave or an arid climate, a little general misting (in addition to watering) can be effective! Then equip yourself with a watering gun or a water sprayer powerful enough to refresh your flowerbeds. We'll look at the elements you need to pay attention to in the next section.

Watering the leaves in your garden is also a good natural way to dislodge insects, aphids and caterpillars (without chemicals).

2. Points to be aware of when watering the leaves

A) Do not leave stagnant water on the leaves of certain plants:

Some varieties are very susceptible to diseases that spread through moisture. Winegrowers and tomato growers are particularly concerned about downy mildew . This small, fungal mold destroys all yields of the crops it attacks.

Rest assured, this does not affect our houseplants! The plants concerned are: tomatoes, vines, roses, potatoes, lettuce, and squash.

Be careful not to leave stagnant water on the leaves of plants which are susceptible to fungal and cryptogamic diseases .

B) Beware of extreme temperatures outdoors.

There's some debate about the so-called "magnifying glass effect" of the sun on water droplets. Some believe that the strong sun in the early afternoon can cause sunburn. Water droplets on leaves act like tiny lenses, refracting the sun's heat and burning the leaves.

But others claim that the water evaporates very quickly and doesn't have time to harm the plants. When in doubt, avoid standing water on the most fragile plants and growing buds.

The most relevant argument is that of waste. During a heatwave, water on leaves evaporates more quickly than if it falls to the ground. It is therefore wasted. In times of drought , all the water must be brought to where it is most needed to minimize water consumption (and bills).

C) The leaves must be dry by nightfall

As night falls, temperatures drop and water dries much more slowly. It's therefore advisable to refresh your hardwoods in the morning or late afternoon to give them time to dry. Think of yourself, and avoid falling asleep with wet hair. 😉

D) In ​​winter (outdoors VS indoors)

Your outdoor plants won't need watering during the winter. They just need to be protected from extreme cold. Their bodies are resting, and you should wait for their growing season.

For indoor plants, the needs are quite different, as your heating will be running at full blast. As we saw above, this dries out the air. It becomes imperative to mist the leaves to prevent them from drying out.

Grab your spray bottle and get started!

As you will have understood, it is by watering the plants thoroughly that we obtain perfect foliage. This involves irrigating the roots, but also spraying water on the foliage .

With all these tips, you now have the tools you need to understand and help your plant. Now all you have to do is grab your spray bottle and take action.

If you're not currently properly equipped, we recommend this golden duo. These incredibly trendy gardening tools will sit proudly alongside your plants!

Discover the pack immediately by clicking on this photo below.