How to Easily Water Plants in Hard-to-Reach Places

Caring for houseplants adds vibrant life to any space. But keeping those potted plants thriving can be tricky when they live on high shelves or in hanging planters. Getting sufficient water to your lofty leafy friends takes some creative thinking and the right tools. Follow these tips to effortlessly irrigate plants in hard-to-access spots.

Use a Garden Sprayer

A garden sprayer allows you to easily mist plants from a distance. These portable applicators are designed for dispensing pesticides, fertilizers, and water outdoors. But they work great indoors too.

Garden sprayers come in two main styles:

• Reservoir sprayers – These feature a tank you manually pump to build pressure. The tank is carried by a handle or shoulder strap.

• Hose sprayers – These attach directly to your sink faucet. Water pressure comes straight from your home plumbing.

Both types have an extended wand and nozzle to target plants in out-of-reach places. A sprayer eliminates the need to lug a heavy watering can up and down when tending plants on high shelves.

Be sure to use a sprayer designated for houseplants, not one that contained outdoor chemicals Gently mist plants until the soil surface glistens. Adjust the nozzle to control water flow

Try Bottom Watering

Bottom watering allows plants to soak up moisture through drainage holes in the bottom of the pot. Simply place pots atop trays filled with an inch or two of water. The soil will slowly absorb water without overflow dripping everywhere.

Use plastic trays that won’t corrode. Monitor water levels and add more as needed until the soil surface looks damp on top. Remove pots once fully hydrated. Bottom watering buys you more time between deep soakings.

Don’t permanently leave plants sitting in water, as wet feet will lead to root rot over time. And occasionally top water to rinse away mineral deposits. But as a regular practice, bottom watering streamlines nourishing plants up high.

Go Soilless

Soilless growing methods like hydroponics and LECA completely eliminate the need to water overhead. They provide moisture passively through the plant’s roots.

With hydroponics, plants are grown in inert media like gravel, coconut coir, or even just air. Their roots dip into a recirculating, nutrient-rich bath below.

LECA systems use expanded clay pebbles that wick up moisture from a reservoir Plants are potted directly in the porous LECA pebbles

Both methods still require checking water levels and adding more solution periodically. But they prevent constant overhead watering. Best of all, both work great for hard-to-reach spots!

Use Glazed or Plastic Pots

Plant container material affects soil moisture retention. Porous terra cotta pots leach water quickly. This is great for succulents but leaves many other plants parched.

Glazed ceramic, plastic, or resin pots keep soil evenly moist much longer. Their water-retaining properties buy you extra time between waterings.

For plants up high, plastic pots are ideal. Compared to heavy terra cotta or ceramic, lightweight plastic is easy to lift and move as needed for periodic top-watering.

Choose Low-Maintenance Plants

When selecting houseplants destined for hard-to-reach areas, pick hardy varieties that tolerate extended dry spells. Succulents like jade, sansevieria, and zamioculcas zamiifolia thrive on just occasional watering.

Other great low-maintenance choices include pothos, philodendron, Chinese evergreen, peace lily, parlor palm, and cast iron plant. Do your research to choose suitable plants before situating them out of easy reach.

Getting sufficient water to hanging and elevated plants does take a bit more thought and effort. But with the right tools and techniques, you can easily irrigate your lofty leafy friends and enjoy their beauty anywhere in your home.