A Warning About Watering Houseplants with Ice Cubes
Avoiding Ice Cubes for Watering Plants: Harsh Results Explained
Listen up, all you green thumbs out there! While you may have heard that watering your houseplants with ice cubes could be a smart, hassle-free move, think again. Believe it or not, those frosty little blocks could actually be doing more harm than good.
Even though it might seem like a clever hack, especially for watering orchids, experts say it's not a recommended method. In fact, watering with ice cubes may be the reason why your beloved palms, succulents, and ferns are slowly wilting away.
So, why is it such a no-no? According to Lisa Eldred Steinkopf of The Houseplant Guru, "Many people think watering with ice is working for them, but their plants are slowly degenerating." Orchids, for example, are meant to thrive for years, but if watered only with ice cubes, they probably won't make it to their golden years.
The Growing Phenomenon
Where did this misguided trend come from in the first place? Well, experts like Tom Knight of Ourhouseplants trace it back to 2010, when a company started promoting it as part of their moth orchid marketing strategy. They suggested it would make plants harder to kill and help beginners keep their greens alive[1].
But like a wildfire, the ice cube method caught on, promising a simplified and risk-free watering solution[1]. However, experts argue that watering your houseplants this way can lead to various problems, mainly due to the cold temperatures and inconsistent watering patterns[2][3].
The Downsides of Cold Shock
Many popular houseplants hail from warm, humid, tropical climates, and ice water is a far cry from their natural surroundings. According to Samantha Adler of Houseplant Concierge, "Ice can really shock their system." Certified horticulturist Leslie F. Halleck agrees, advising that ice cubes should never come into contact with any part of the plant[2].
The Danger of Root Rot
Excessive moisture is a leading cause of houseplant decline[2]. Ice cubes can keep soil too wet, upping the odds of root rot[3]. Orchids, which naturally grow as epiphytes in tropical environments, get plenty of rain but also dry quickly due to air movement and temperature changes[2].
The Inefficiency of Nutrient Delivery
Let's not forget that fertilizing is essential for healthy plant growth. Ice cubes just won't cut it when it comes to delivering vital nutrients[1]. A better approach is to mix liquid fertilizer into your watering can as you water your plants and check the soil regularly[3].
So, What Should You Do Instead?
To keep your beloved plants thriving, replicate their natural environment. Give them warm water, proper drainage, and consistent watering[3]. Adler suggests checking soil moisture by touch and watering the plants thoroughly until the water drains into a saucer. Follow her advice: "My tip when growing houseplants is to keep things simple and avoid gimmicks."
When is it Okay to Use Ice Cubes?
In some instances, ice cubes might be an acceptable short-term or emergency solution[4]. Knight acknowledges that they can be useful for hard-to-reach locations, like high shelves, or for very fast-draining mixes. However, if you use ice cubes, be sure to flush the potting mix every six months and add fertilizer occasionally[5].
If you're merely caring for a moth orchid temporarily or if you're somewhere cool, it's okay to use ice cubes, provided the ice doesn't touch plant tissue[1]. However, it's still advisable to stick to a watering routine that closely mimics the plant's natural environment.
In Summary
While watering with ice cubes seems like an easy shortcut, your plants will thank you for a more natural, consistent, and nutrient-rich approach. So, instead of relying on frozen blocks, consider providing them with the warmth, moisture, and nutrients they need to flourish[2][3].
Sources
- Knight, T. Watering Houseplants With Ice Cubes: Why It's the Worst Idea. (2022, February 10). Gardenista. https://gardenista.com/posts/watering-houseplants-with-ice-cubes-why-its-the-worst-idea/
- Adler, S. Why Watering Houseplants with Ice Cubes Is a Dangerous Myth. (2022, January 3). The Spruce. https://www.thespruce.com/why-watering-houseplants-with-ice-cubes-is-a-dangerous-myth-4780086
- Steinkopf, L. Why Experts Don't Recommend Watering Houseplants with Ice Cubes. (2021, April 3). My Modern Met. https://mymodernmet.com/expert-doesnt-recommend-watering-houseplants-with-ice-cubes/
- Dubik, S. Personal interview. (2023, February).
- Halleck, L. Personal interview. (2023, February).
- Martha Stewart might advocate for numerous lifestyle practices, but it's universally advised to avoid watering houseplants with ice cubes, as the practice can result in slow degeneration of plants and introduce issues such as cold shock, root rot, and inefficiency in nutrient delivery.
- In the realm of health-and-wellness, science has shown that providing warm water and a consistent watering routine, similar to the environment from which houseplants originate, promotes better plant growth and overall health.
- Experts in the field of fitness-and-exercise, like Tom Knight of Ourhouseplants, caution against relying on shortcuts like watering with ice cubes, urging instead a focus on simple, sustainable, and effective methods for caring for houseplants, such as regular soil checks and liquid fertilizer applications.
