National Hydration Day
Today is National Hydration Day.
And while it might sound like a marketing ploy to sell sports drinks, it was actually created in honour of Victor Hawkins, a football coach who invented a special hydration mouthguard after witnessing the dangers of dehydration on the field. Since then, it’s become a reminder to all of us (plants included) that water is life.
Of course, as a houseplant person, you already know hydration is important.
But have you ever stopped to wonder what actually happens once you water your plant?
We’re not just talking about whether the soil is moist or dry, or if you’re using a fancy watering can.
We’re going inside the plant, into the roots, the stems, the leaves, and the cells.
Because understanding how water works inside your plant helps you become a more intuitive, confident plant parent.
And it turns out, your green friends are running a pretty remarkable operation behind the scenes.
WARNING: This week’s newsletter is a little science-y, so if that’s your jam, then strap in! 😉
Water is the delivery system your plant relies on
Every time you water your plant, you’re sending vital nutrients on a cross-country journey.
The roots absorb the water and, with it, dissolved minerals from the soil. These travel upward through a network of internal tubes called the xylem, which run through the stem and into the leaves. It’s a bit like plumbing, except the pipes are alive, and the pressure is powered by a combination of suction, evaporation, and capillary action.
Water doesn’t just move passively. It’s actively pulled upward, thanks to a process called transpiration. More on that in a moment.
Transpiration: the leaf-powered water pump
Transpiration is what happens when tiny pores in a plant’s leaves, called stomata, release water vapor into the air. As this moisture evaporates, it creates a kind of vacuum inside the plant that pulls more water up from the roots. This isn’t just about water transport, it’s also how the plant cools itself and maintains its internal temperature.
If you’ve ever noticed how fast a plant can perk up after watering on a hot day, you’ve witnessed this in action.
Credit: Liz Zorab Gardening
Think of it as a self-regulating water tower, powered by the sun, cooled by the leaves… and fed by you.
Water fuels photosynthesis and growth
Water is one of the main ingredients in photosynthesis, the process plants use to turn sunlight into sugar. Inside the leaves, water combines with carbon dioxide and light energy to produce glucose, which the plant uses to grow, repair, and thrive. As part of this reaction, water molecules are split into hydrogen and oxygen. The plant keeps the hydrogen and releases the oxygen, which, lucky for us, goes back into the air.
So when you’re watering your plant, you’re not just giving it a drink. You’re delivering the raw material for food, fuel, and fresh oxygen.
This is why dry soil for too long doesn’t just lead to droopy leaves. It slows everything down (nutrient uptake, energy production, and new growth).
The hydration checklist, simplified
- Water delivers minerals from the soil to every part of the plant
- It moves upward through the xylem via suction from the leaves
- Transpiration helps regulate temperature and powers that upward flow
- Water is essential for photosynthesis, without which the plant can’t grow
Your watering routine isn’t just about keeping soil moist.
It’s part of a chain reaction that touches every cell in your plant’s body.
And the best part is, now that you know what’s going on behind the scenes, you can start to spot when that process is flowing beautifully, or when it needs a little help.
Stay hydrated!
