8 Plants You Should Never Water With a Hose

Watering salad in raised bed in garden with a hose. Gardening in spring time. — Credit:
brebca / Getty Images

Every gardener wants to ensure their plants grow and thrive—supplying enough water plays a big part. However, not all watering is good watering. The water pressure from a garden hose, for example, can have adverse effects on certain plants that prefer drip irrigation methods. Here, we've listed out a few of these fragile plants that you should avoid watering with a hose.

Lindsey Chastain, gardener and founder of The Waddle and Cluck, a website dedicated to food, farming, and sustainable living.

01 of 08

Lettuce and Other Leafy Greens

Lettuce viewed from above — Anna Mardo / Getty Images

These vegetables have very delicate leaves. “The hose is just too harsh,” says Lindsey Chastain, gardener and founder of The Waddle and Cluck. Instead, she recommends using drip irrigation—or the mist setting on your garden hose, and aiming the hose at the soil level. The latter will prevent the dirt from getting kicked back up onto the leaves.

02 of 08

Tomatoes

Tomatoes are also very delicate, and a garden hose can cause their fruit to crack. “It can also splash up soil-borne pathogens that can lead to blight," adds Chastain. Hence, drip irrigation or a soaker hose is best. If you must use the hose, use the mist setting at soil level and keep the leaves and fruit dry.

03 of 08

Strawberries

Never water strawberries with a hose. “Getting soil on the berries can lead to mold or disease,” says Chastain. Use drip irrigation or a watering wand to water at the base of the strawberries. This will help keep the delicious fruits dry.

04 of 08

Herbs

Most herbs are delicate and can easily be damaged by a garden hose. “Plus, getting the leaves wet can lead to fungus,” says Chastain. “Again, water directly at the base. If you have your herbs in pots, use the bottom-up watering method.”

05 of 08

Seedlings

Seedlings of any kind shouldn't be watered with a hose. “The water will break the stems and can even uproot the fragile roots," says Chastain. Instead, use a watering can with a hose attachment, or a watering wand on mist.

06 of 08

Pansies

Pansies are very delicate flowers, according to Chastain, and water from a garden hose can be too strong for them, washing away soil or damaging the flower petals. Instead, use a watering can with a spout, or a drip irrigation line to water these beautiful, fragile blooms.

07 of 08

Begonias

Pink begonia flowers in a garden — YONCA60 / Getty Images

Begonias also have fragile petals, and shouldn’t be watered with a hose. Instead, Chastain recommends sticking with a watering can or a misting spray.

08 of 08

Roses

While roses can be watered with a hose, the hose should have a misting attachment—or you can use a watering wand on mist. A regular hose’s spray can be too harsh on roses, which are prone to losing petals if too much pressure is applied.