Watering Needs of Plants Under Varying Conditions

Crabapple LandscapExperts suggest rule-of-thumb guidelines for watering landscape plants.

Plants will need more water when:
They are in a period of active growth
They are growing in full sun
Temperature is high
Humidity is low
It has not rained in 5 or more days
They are fast-growing varieties
They are planted in poor or sandy soil
They are in flower or bud
They are contained in small pots
Clay pots evaporate water faster than plastic pots

Plants will need less water when:
They are in a period of rest (typically in winter)
They are growing in shade or dense shade
Temperature is low (65 degrees F. or lower)
Humidity is high
Heavy rain recently (in the past 2 or 3 days)
They are slow-growing varieties
They are planted in moisture-holding or heavy soil (such as clay)
They are growing in large tubs
They are planted in non-porous pots (plastic or glazed)