8 Plants You Should Never Water With a Hose—and How to Water Them Instead These fragile plants can't handle the pressure. Close 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. The Worst Time to Water Your Vegetable Garden—and When to Do It Instead 01 of 08 Lettuce and Other Leafy Greens Credit: 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 Credit: Susumu Yoshioka / Getty Images 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. How Often to Water Your Tomatoes—and the Best Way to Do It 03 of 08 Strawberries Credit: Jacky Parker Photography / Getty Images 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 Credit: Karl Tapales / Getty Images 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 Credit: Jordan Lye / Getty Images 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 Credit: Mariia Siurtukova / Getty Images 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. How Often to Water Pansies for a Vibrant Display, According to Gardening Experts 07 of 08 Begonias Credit: 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 Credit: Elena Popova / Getty Images 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. Explore more: Garden Flower Gardens