Is it bad to water plants during the day? Make sure you water plants at the right time to quench your garden’s thirst.
When Is the Best Time to Water Your Plants?
Published on Apr. 22, 2025
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When Should You Water Plants?
“As a boy, my grandma taught me to water at the base of the plants in her garden and always in the evening so the water could soak in overnight without evaporating in the sun. Recently, I read to water in the morning. When is the best time to water?” asks Birds & Blooms reader William Toth of Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania.
Gardening expert Melinda Myers says, “Your grandma provided sound advice. She knew to keep the foliage dry when watering at night. Early morning is the best time to water when using a sprinkler or other tool that wets the foliage. The leaves have time to dry before dark, reducing the risk of disease, and the water can soak into the soil, limiting the amount lost to evaporation as the temperatures rise.”
Psst—you’ve been watering indoor plants the wrong way—here’s what to do instead.
Is It Bad to Water Plants During the Day?
You’ve probably heard this garden myth: Don’t water plants in the middle of the day, because it will burn them. In truth, your plants probably won’t burn, but this is actually a piece of advice you’ll want to follow most of the time.
But if you need to water during the day, it’s OK. Keep the water low to the ground at the base of the plant.
If a plant is thirsty, then you should water it. Brown spots on leaves are usually caused by leaf-spot fungi, not water and sunlight. After all, rain showers during the day don’t kill your plants!
When to Water Plants During a Heat Wave
“How do I protect plants, especially my rhododendrons, from heat waves?” asks reader Mary Anne Thygesen of Portland, Oregon.
Melinda says, “Make sure the plants receive sufficient moisture before, during and after a heat wave. Water the soil in the evening before the temps go up or early in the morning (between 2 and 6 a.m.) when it’s still cooler and the plants are more able to absorb the water.
Check out the top 10 heat-tolerant plants that like it hot.
“Then watch for subtle signs that your plants might need water. Leaves will turn a somewhat blue- or gray-green color before wilting. This is the right time to give the plants some moisture. Even though wilted leaves may perk up after watering, some permanent damage may have occurred,” she says.
If you haven’t already, mulch the soil to help moderate the ground temperature and conserve moisture.”
About the Expert
Melinda Myers is the official gardening expert for Birds & Blooms. She is a TV/radio host, author and columnist who has written more than 20 gardening books. Melinda earned a master’s degree in horticulture from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
