Potted plants are a fun way to add some accent color and greenery in your home and landscape.  I particularly love to grow geraniums in pots, and I have a decent track record of keeping them alive through the winter months.  I also love to hang potted ferns on my front porch.

Sometimes with potted plants it can seem like there is a fine line between too much water and not enough water.  A general rule of thumb for healthy potted plants is to use pots that have drainage holes in the bottom.  Drainage holes allow excess water to run out, which helps to avoid drowning the roots or root diseases.  Let the soil dry out between watering, and water again when the top inch of soil feels dry.  To ensure adequate watering, provide enough water until it starts to drain out of the pot.

Now for the interesting part! When many potting soils dry out, they can become hydrophobic.  Hydrophobic soils repel water and can be difficult to rewet.  Interestingly, many potting soils contain peat moss because it holds moisture, is lightweight, and decomposes slowly.  When peat moss dries out, it can be very difficult to rewet.

When the soil is dry and hydrophobic, you can add water, but it will drain out very quickly and the soil does not get moist throughout the pot.  The water runs between the sides of the pot and the hydrophobic root ball without getting any water to the roots of the plant.  How crazy is that?!

If your soil is not rewetting, a slow watering method is the cure!  For a quick fix, you can drop your potted plant in a five-gallon bucket of water.  You will probably see air bubbles coming up until the soil gets wet.  Leave the pot in the water until the air bubbles stop coming up.

Another solution is to set the pot in a shallow pan of water or sink, and let the soil slowly absorb water through the bottom of the pot.  This might take an hour or two, and you should remove the plant as soon as the soil is moist.

If you have a large pot, or even a spot in your garden that has become hydrophobic, use a water hose on a very slow trickle to slowly rewet the soil.  A timer might be helpful, so you do not forget to turn off the water.  Believe me, I speak from experience.

As we head into summer heat, don’t forget to water your potted plants consistently, and remember that a good dunk might help them if they dry out.  For lawn and garden questions, contact Kate Whitney, Williamson County AgriLife Extension Horticulturist, at 512-943-3300.