The Household Essential That Can Keep Your Indoor Plants Watered Properly

Indoor plants have become a staple in many homes. Not only do they bring life to your design aesthetic, but plants can benefit your wellbeing by improving air quality, reducing stress levels, and helping you to relax. But a common problem for plant lovers is that they struggle to keep their green friends alive. Indoor plants need three main things to survive – light, water, and soil. Knowing how often indoor plants should be watered, but making sure they're not getting too much can be tricky. However, there are many tips and tricks to help you along the way. A lesser-known hack is to place a microfiber cloth at the bottom of your pot, above the drainage holes, to control the flow of the water and prevent soil erosion. 

All you will need is a standard microfiber cloth. You can pick up a pack of five Home Collection Microfiber Washcloths from Dollar Tree for just $1.50. This is an affordable way to properly water your indoor plants so they will thrive. 

Most plants need some assistance with water drainage and luckily plant pots usually come with drainage holes. However, this does not mean you cannot run into trouble. If your indoor plant is looking a little worse for wear, it may be suffering from root rot and in need of more help in the drainage department. Signs of improper water drainage include leaves that are turning yellow and soil that is starting to smell a little 'off' or sour. There are several ways you can improve the drainage of your indoor plant and placing a microfiber cloth at the bottom of your plant pot, on top of the drainage holes, and underneath the soil is one of them. 

But why does it work? Microfiber cloths are made from a synthetic fabric that is absorbent and breathable. The small holes in the material make it beneficial for your indoor plants. It will hold the soil in place, while still allowing water to pass through the fabric. This also promotes air circulation. If you do not have a microfiber cloth handy, there are other household items you could use that have breathable qualities such as coffee filters and packing materials.