Find out why you should try the ice cube method for watering your houseplants, and also learn how to do this for best results.
Watering plants with ice cubes sounds very unfamiliar, strange, and new, with many questions arising in the mind! Also, several contradictory opinions exist. However, this article will try to answer your question with helpful suggestions and might uncover some benefits, too about Ice Cube Method for Watering Your Houseplants.
Why You Should Try the Ice Cube Method for Watering Your Houseplants
Watering houseplants is quite a task when you have a busy schedule and using ice cubes to water your houseplants can be a trick to solve the problem to some extent. As, houseplants need different watering routines depending on the region, climate, and season. So, keeping these things in mind, let’s find out if the ice cube method is reliable for watering houseplants!
However, this technique is very popular in some regions and is mostly used for watering Orchids. Moreover, it is also believed that it helps the Orchids to rebloom and enhance the rate of blooming!
Does it Work and What are the Benefits
It has been seen to work on orchid houseplants and the responses are also counteractive in plants from tropical regions. So, it can be established that the ice cube method might work well for tropical climates or in warm temperatures.
However, there are some ground rules to practice and have positive responses. Let’s discuss some of the probable benefits and proper ways of this method.
1. Prevents Overwatering
When you put two or three ice cubes around the plant, a little away from the roots, you can just sit back and let your plants embrace the slow moisture absorbance. There will be the least possibility of overwatering or water flowing out. It helps sometimes when it is not messy, however, as gardeners we all enjoy the mess too!
Well, this is where you need not worry about overwatering your plants and let your houseplants slowly absorb the water.
2. It is Convenient
It seems to be quite easier to put a few ice cubes on the soil than watering your plants! However, you’ll need to first make ice cubes and secondly, check the soil if it’s dry or not. It is simply a less messy and easy method of watering.
3. Prevents Leakage
When you use the traditional watering method, the soil drains out the excess water, which leads to some amount of leaks on the floor. However, in the ice cube method, leakage won’t be too much of an issue. It will hence, provide a better watering experience and also prevent water leakage through the drainage holes.
4. Promotes Blooming
It is already very popular that the ice cube method works best for indoor orchids and also helps in promoting blooms. The ice cube method prolongs the sudden drop in temperature that plants experience after watering. So, this helps the plant to remain in the low temperature for a longer period and hence triggers the plant for blooming.
Last Thoughts with some Tips
Despite all the above-mentioned benefits, thorough research has not been conducted to completely prove that the ice cube method is convenient for use in all types of houseplants in all kinds of climate regions. However, if you use this method properly, it won’t harm your houseplants. Follow some tips below.
- Please do not use this method in temperature and moisture-sensitive plants.
- Again, when you toss ice cubes on the soil of your plants, make sure the ice cube is away from the root or main stem. Otherwise, it might shock the roots.
- There will be different amounts of ice cubes for different sizes of plants and pots. Hence, ensure that the ice cubes you add are proportionate to the pot size.
- You may use this method during extreme hot temperatures, such as during heat waves.
Can we use this method of using ice even in winter??.. ki ndly advise