You will need to water perennial plants sometimes, no matter where you live or whether your garden is in the sun or the shade. Remember these tips to make sure you give your perennials the water they need to grow well and look great:
Adding perennials is a great way to bring long-lasting color, texture, and interest to your garden. However the key to getting new perennials off to a good start lies in proper watering. Watering correctly encourages strong root growth and helps perennials adapt to their new environment.
In this guide, you’ll learn about:
- The importance of watering newly planted perennials
- Recommended watering techniques and schedule
- Signs that your perennials need more or less water
- Tools and systems to make watering easier
- Ongoing care for established perennial plants
Follow these best practices for watering newly planted perennials to ensure your new additions get off to a healthy start
Why Proper Watering Matters for New Perennials
Water is crucial for newly planted perennials for several reasons:
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Encourages root growth: Regular watering prompts roots to grow outward into surrounding soil. Strong roots stabilize the plant and improve access to moisture and nutrients.
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Reduces transplant shock: Consistent moisture minimizes stress after transplanting and helps perennials recover more quickly.
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Supports growth: Adequate water allows cell growth and replaces moisture lost through leaves. Proper hydration equates to better growth.
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Increases resilience: Well-watered perennials are better able to withstand diseases, pests, and extreme weather.
How to Water Newly Planted Perennials
Here are some best practices for watering newly planted perennials:
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Water deeply – Wet the entire root zone, not just the surface. Deep watering encourages deep roots.
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Water slowly – Use a gentle stream or trickle to prevent runoff. Allow soil to absorb the moisture.
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Water frequently – Water new perennials every 1-2 days for the first 4 weeks. Then reduce to once a week.
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Water in morning – Watering in early morning reduces evaporation and disease risk. Avoid overhead watering at night.
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Check soil – Use your finger to check soil moisture 1 inch down. Water when top inch is dry.
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Adjust for weather – Hot, dry, or windy conditions cause faster moisture loss. Increase frequency.
Signs Your New Perennials Need More Water
Watch for these cues that your new perennials need more frequent watering:
- Wilting or drooping leaves and stems
- Leaves appear dull, not vibrant
- Stunted growth and smaller new leaves
- Soil is dry 1 inch beneath surface
- Leaf margins turn brown
Signs Your Perennials Are Getting Too Much Water
On the other hand, these are signs your plants are getting overwatered:
- Mushy or discolored stems
- Leaves turn yellow or fall off
- Wet soil that takes a long time to dry out
- Evidence of fungi on leaves or in soil
- Roots are dark brown or black
Tools to Make Watering New Perennials Easier
Taking the guesswork out of watering new perennials is easy with the right tools:
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Soaker hoses – Release water slowly along their length, directly into soil.
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Drip irrigation – Delivers water right to the base of the plants through tubing and emitters. Can be automated.
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Watering wands – Long wands with shower head attachments make it easy to direct water right where you want it.
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Moisture meters – Handy tools that tell you exactly when soil is dry enough to warrant more water.
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Timers – Help automate watering schedules. Attach to hoses or irrigation systems.
Ongoing Care for Established Perennial Plants
The watering needs of perennials change once established. Here are some tips:
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Water deeply and infrequently. This encourages deeper roots.
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Check soil moisture before watering. Established perennials likely only need watering once a week.
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Observe plant appearance for signs of under or overwatering. Wilting or dull leaves indicate thirst.
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Adjust watering based on weather. Hot, dry periods demand more frequent watering.
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Reduce watering in cooler months when growth slows. But don’t let roots freeze.
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Mulch beds to help retain moisture and minimize water needs.
Watering correctly is crucial when planting new perennials in your garden. Aim to water thoroughly and frequently at first, then reduce frequency as plants establish. Tools like drip irrigation and moisture meters simplify the process. Transition to infrequent deep watering for established perennial plants. Proper watering techniques will lead to healthy, vigorous perennials that grace your garden for years to come.
How often should I water perennials?
A quick drink every day just encourages spindly roots. Instead, deep and less frequent watering is best to promote long roots. They’ll grow into the ground to stay cooler and take in the water and nutrients that are there. Perennials with an established root system can handle a little drought stress, too.
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When should I water perennials?
Early morning is the ideal time of day to water your garden. This allows you to soak the roots and lose little water to evaporation. Also, plants are less likely to get fungal diseases that grow on wet leaves because leaves dry out quickly when the sun and temperature rise. When you use sprinklers to water in the middle of the day, the small droplets of water often just evaporate in the air and never reach the soil. Also, the winds are stronger at that time, which can mix the water and waste so that it ends up on your sidewalk instead of your plants.
If you don’t have time to water in the morning, you can also do it in the late afternoon or early evening. Do it before 6 p. m. but make sure the leaves have enough time to dry before it gets dark. This will lower the risk of disease.
5 Watering Mistakes You’re Probably Making
FAQ
How often should you water newly planted perennials?
Do you water immediately after planting?
Can you over water perennials?
Do established perennials need to be watered?
Do perennials need to be watered?
It doesn’t matter where you live or if your garden is in sun or shade — you’ll have to water perennial plants sometimes. Here are a few things to keep in mind so you can give your perennials the water they need to thrive and look great. Watering deeply and less frequently helps promote long roots. How much should I water my perennials?
How much water does a perennial plant need?
The general guideline for watering perennials is to do so when the soil feels dry to the touch, about an inch down, providing enough water to moisten the soil to a depth of at least six inches. In the first year after planting, perennials have a higher demand for water to help establish their root systems.
What are the best practices for watering plants?
Actually, some best practices for watering plants will save your plants and conserve water, too. Water for too long, and you create an open invitation for fungus. Water too little, and roots become shallow. Water in the evening, and insects come out to feast. Water from too high, and half the moisture is lost to evaporation.
How often should you water perennials?
Watering perennials consistently and correctly is vital for the health of your garden. As a gardener, I understand that determining how often to water perennials can be a bit of a puzzle since the frequency depends on a variety of factors such as weather conditions, soil type, and the specific needs of each plant.
How do you water a new plant?
Deep soaking is the best way to water your new plants. Deep soaking of a plant in its first year can be broken down into 5 phases. The first week after planting, the tree (or shrub) will go into a bit of shock. The plant has been getting watered daily in the nursery and now it has been moved, transplanted, and it is in need of some extra water.
How much water do you need to plant a new plant?
Likewise, if you are planting during the dry season, you will need to water more. With all these factors in mind, you will generally need to water all new plants (even drought tolerant plants) deeply every time you water. Wetting the soil 6 to 12 inches (15-31 cm.) deep encourages roots to grow deeply.