How Often Should You Water New Plants? A Complete Guide

Bringing new plants into your garden or landscape can be an exciting time. However, those new additions require some extra care, especially when it comes to watering. Learning how often to water new plants is crucial for getting them off to a healthy start in your yard.

In this complete guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about watering frequency for new plantings, including:

• Why new plants need more frequent watering
• How often to water perennials, shrubs, trees, and other new plantings
• Tips for watering new container plants
• Signs that your new plants need water
• Common mistakes and problems with watering new plants
• When and how much to reduce watering frequency as plants become established

Why New Plants Need More Frequent Watering

Newly planted specimens haven’t yet had a chance to develop an extensive root system in your landscape. Without a robust network of roots reaching out into the surrounding soil, new plantings can’t absorb enough moisture from the ground to sustain growth As a result, they require supplemental, frequent watering

You may be tempted to rely on sprinklers or your existing irrigation system to water new plantings. However, sprinklers and standard drip irrigation provide only shallow watering of the surface. New plants need deep moisture at the root level to encourage roots to grow downward and establish the plant. So supplemental, attentive watering is required.

How Often to Water Perennials, Shrubs, Trees & More

When it comes to how often to water new plants, frequency depends on a few factors

• Type of plant
• Size of plant
• Time of year planted
• Weather conditions

Here are some general guidelines for how often to water common new plantings:

New perennials:

• Water every 1-2 days for the first 2 weeks after planting
• After 2 weeks, water 2-3 times per week
• After the first month, water 1-2 times per week

New shrubs:

• Water every 2-3 days for the first month
• After the first month, water 2 times per week
• During summer heat, water 3 times per week

New trees:

• Water every 2 days for the first 2 weeks
• After 2 weeks, water every 3 days for the first month
• After the first month, water 1-2 times per week
• During summer heat, water 2-3 times per week

New annuals:

• Water daily for the first week
• After the first week, water every other day
• Pay close attention to watering needs in hot weather

New lawn sod:

• Water daily for the first 2 weeks
• After 2 weeks, water every other day for 2 more weeks
• After 1 month, water 2-3 times per week

These frequencies serve as general guidelines, but you’ll want to closely monitor soil moisture as well. Stick your finger 1-2 inches into the soil around new plants daily. If the soil is dry, it’s time to water thoroughly.

Also, adjust frequencies based on weather. Hot, dry, or windy conditions create more demand for water. Cool or rainy weather allows you to water less often.

Watering New Container Plants

New plantings in containers have some additional watering considerations:

• Check soil moisture daily by sticking your finger 1 inch into the soil.
• During the first 2 weeks, you may need to water daily or even twice a day in hot weather. The small amount of soil in containers dries out quickly.
• After 2 weeks, aim to water container plants every other day.
• Pay extra attention and increase frequency if plants show any wilting.

Grouping containers together can create a microclimate and dry out soil faster. Consider grouping them in an area that’s easy to water all at once with a hose.

Signs It’s Time to Water New Plantings

In addition to sticking your finger in the soil, watch for these visible signs that new plants need water:

• Wilting or drooping leaves – Early wilting is one of the first signs that plants need water. It may recover in the evening but indicates it’s time to water.

• Leaf scorch – Brown crunchy edges on leaves often indicate inadequate water.

• Stunted growth – Poor growth can be a sign roots aren’t getting enough moisture.

• Bare branches – Failure to leaf out or grow new shoots indicates a stressed, water-deprived plant.

• Cracked or dry soil – If the soil surface is cracked or very dry, it’s a red flag that water is needed.

Rely more on checking soil moisture than waiting for these visible cues, since by that point, plants are already stressed. Frequent soil checks let you stay ahead of water needs.

Common Mistakes When Watering New Plants

It’s easy to make missteps when learning how often to water new plantings. Here are some common mistakes to avoid:

• Underwatering – This is most dangerous in the first weeks after planting when roots are poorly established. Even mild underwatering can severely stunt or kill new plantings.

• Overwatering – Too much moisture deprives roots of oxygen. Gradually decrease frequency to avoid this.

• Irregular watering – Inconsistent soil moisture stresses plants. Stick to a regular watering regime.

• Surface watering – Sprinkling the surface leads to shallow roots. Prioritize deep soakings to encourage downward root growth.

• Watering during the heat of day – Some water will evaporate before plants can drink it up. Water early in the morning instead.

• Not adjusting for weather – Update your watering schedule based on rainfall, temperature, wind and other conditions.

• Letting soil get completely dry – Wait until just the top few inches of soil have dried to water again, not the whole root zone.

When to Reduce Watering Frequency as Plants Become Established

The good news about frequent watering of new plantings is that it’s temporary. As plants grow roots into surrounding soil over the first year, you can gradually reduce watering frequency.

Here are some guidelines for when and how to decrease watering as plants become established:

• 6-8 weeks after planting: Begin to extend the time between waterings by a day or two.

• After the first 3 months: Water most new perennials, shrubs and trees only 1-2 times per week.

• After the first year: Watering once weekly is sufficient for most established plants, except during heat waves or drought.

• After 2 years: Mature plants likely only need water during extended dry periods. Mulching can help reduce water needs.

Always do the “finger test” when deciding whether established plants need water. And monitor them for any signs of wilt or stress. If they perk up after watering, that’s a clue you waited too long.

In Summary:

New plantings need attentive, frequent watering to successfully establish in your landscape or containers. How often depends on the plant type, size, weather and other factors. But in general, most new plantings need deep watering about 2-3 times per week during the first year. Reduce frequency as plants mature and root systems expand over the first 2 years. Proper watering when plants are newly planted ensures they get off to a healthy start!