Expert reveals when NOT to water your plants – it's ‘one of the biggest mistakes gardeners make'

The Sun

02-05-2025

A GARDENING expert has revealed how many people are watering their plants at the worst time of the day.
As sunnier days are forecast over the weekend, this guidance proves even more important for garden-lovers around the country.
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Elise Harlock, gardening expert and brand manager at Prestige Flowers, warned: "Watering during the hottest part of the day is one of the biggest mistakes gardeners make."
It may seem counter-intuitive, but watering plants in the middle of the day is not ideal for their leaves or roots.
She stressed that timing is important, and can even be detrimental to plants' health and capacity to thrive.
"When the sun is at its peak, much of the water you apply will evaporate before it ever reaches the roots," Elise explained.
She added: "If the leaves get wet and the sun is blazing, it can lead to faster dehydration.
"The plant focuses on dealing with heat stress rather than absorbing water properly."
As a result, midday watering means the necessary moisture given to the plants rapidly evaporates as the sun is at its peak.
Most of the water is instead lost to the air and plants cannot receive the full benefits of having been watered.
Elise therefore advises plant owners to water their gardens in the morning, before the weather becomes too hot or the sun too strong.
She suggests the best time to water plants is early morning "ideally before 10am", as this allows moisture to effectively reach the roots before the heat of the sun is intense.
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Watering during the evening would be the next best option, however it is not recommended due to potential negative consequences.
Plants receiving water too late can cause damp conditions that foster fungal growth and attract pests.
Elise explained the optimal approach for plant care: "The key is deep, infrequent watering.
"Rather than giving plants a quick sprinkle every day, soak the soil thoroughly a few times a week," which can help promote robust root development.
Plants will then be able to better withstand warmer and dryer conditions through their root health.
On top of timing, Elise highlighted the importance of watering technique: "Always aim for the roots, not the leaves.
"This ensures the water gets where it's needed and reduces the risk of disease."
How to find gardening bargains
Doing up your garden to enjoy on warm and sunny days needn't cost the earth.
Sun Savers Editor Lana Clements explains how to get a top deal on items for the garden…
You can bag big savings on plants, shrubs and flowers, as well as gardening tools and furniture.
Many retailers have flash sales across entire seasonal ranges – often these promotions tie into payday at the end of the month or Bank Holiday weekends, so keep a lookout.
Sign up to mailing lists of your favourite brands and you'll be first to know of special offers. It can be worth following retailers on social media too.
Use a price comparison site to search out the best value items.
And keep a close eye on the specialbuys at Aldi and middle of Lidl drops which drop a couple of times a week and usually mean great value seasonal items for your outdoor areas.
If you are not in a hurry to buy an item, try adding it to the shopping cart online and leaving it for a couple of days.
Sometimes big brands will try to tempt you into the sale by offering you a discount.
And always check if you can get cashback before paying.
It's especially worth using sites such as Topcashback, Quidco and app Jamdoughnut when buying bigger ticket items such as garden furniture as you'll get a nice kickback.