Should I Water My Plants at Night?
Lately, a lot of y’all have been asking us the same question. “Why shouldn’t you water your plants at night?” And here’s the honest truth… we say not to do it, but we’ve definitely done it ourselves. So yes, we’re guilty of talking out both sides of our mouth a little on this one.
Still, when it comes to watering, the best thing you can do for your plants is to water early in the day.
But why? Let’s talk about it!
Morning Watering is Best
When you water in the morning, your plants have time to soak it all up and dry out before the cooler evening temperatures roll in. That drying time is important because when leaves stay wet overnight, it invites all sorts of issues like mildew, mold, and fungal disease.
Tommy puts it simply:
“When the foliage stays wet, it can lead to bacteria and fungus. You don’t want water just sitting there all night.”
It’s the same reason you wouldn’t want to go to bed in a wet bathing suit. Can you imagine crawling into bed like that and expecting to wake up feeling good? Your plants don’t love it either. After a hot day in the sun, they need rest and recovery. Letting them stay wet through the night can keep them from bouncing back strong the next day.
But Sometimes… We Break the RuleS!
I’ll be the first to say it. There are nights when I look out the window and realize I completely forgot to water and I know my plants are thirsty. So out I go in my pajamas, hose in hand, doing my best not to drench the foliage. Life is busy, and sometimes late in the evening is the only time I’ve got.
If you find yourself in that boat too, here’s what to do:
Try to water at the base of the plant instead of over the top.
Keep the leaves as dry as possible.
Use a soaker hose or drip irrigation if you can.
Buy a sprinkler timer so you can set it and forget it.
Don’t flood the soil. Let it soak in slowly and deeply.
Mulch around the base to help keep moisture in the soil longer.
Bottom Line? Let Your Plants Sleep Dry (if possible!)
🌿 Tommy’s Best watering Tips
The 10-Count Watering Rule
Tommy grew up in the greenhouse business and definitely has perfected the art of watering. And yes it is an art form!!! This is one of our favorite greenhouse tricks 💚 Hold your watering wand over each plant for a slow count of 10 seconds.
1. This ensures the root ball is soaked
2. Encourages deep roots which is better for the plant
3. Cuts down on the number of times you have to water
4. Most importantly… builds stronger, healthier plants
This is great for your containers and beds!
Best Time to Water Your Plants
Early morning (between 6–10 am) Watering at the right time can make a big difference in how your plants look and feel. Early morning gives them the fresh start they need and helps prevent problems before they begin. Keep your plants happy, healthy, and fungus-free!
Allows leaves and soil to dry throughout the day
Reduces risk of disease and mildew
Plants are cool and ready to handle the heat ahead
Why Not Water Plants at Night?
Wet leaves + cool temps = fungus, mildew, and rot
Water sits on the foliage all night long
How to Water Plants the Right Way
Water at the base of the plant, not over the leaves
Soaker hoses or drip irrigation are ideal
Avoid shallow watering—go deep to encourage strong roots
Mulch to keep moisture in and weeds out
Signs You’re Watering Your Garden Too Late
Leaves stay wet into the night
Mushy stems or yellowing leaves
Powdery white or black spots appearing overnight
Gnats or pests hanging around the soil
But Wait… What About Dew?
You might be thinking, “Isn’t there already moisture on the plants in the morning from dew? Doesn’t Mother Nature water at night?”
It’s true that dew forms overnight, especially during humid or cooler evenings. But dew is light and natural — and most importantly, it’s not soaking the soil or flooding the plant’s root zone with chlorinated water. The problem with us watering at night is that we’re introducing extra moisture at a time when it can’t properly evaporate. That creates the perfect storm for fungal growth and root rot.
Dew is like a gentle mist. Watering with a hose or irrigation system is more like a full-on shower. Your plants can usually handle a little dew, but when they’re already wet and you add even more moisture late in the day, it can quickly become too much.
So yes, Mother Nature does her thing with dew, but we still want to do our watering while the sun’s up.
So even though we don’t always follow our own advice, we try to stick to it when we can. When the heat gets above 90 in the summer, I will often do “Two-a-Days” where I water both morning and evening. We are very fortunate to have our own well on our property, so that helps me get water to my plants as often as I’d like.
If you remember one thing from this post, let it be Tommy’s golden rule:
“Don’t put your plants to bed wet.”
And if you’ve already broken the rule this week, don’t worry. We probably have too. Just do your best to water smarter next time, and your garden will thank you for it.
