Are you watering your plants properly?

Many plants do well when simply watered from above — but there are, in fact, myriad factors that go into the seemingly simple process One general guideline is that you should always use water at room temperature.

• Put bulbs and other plants with sensitive roots, such as poinsettias and African violets, on a saucer and water them from below to keep the bulbs or roots from rotting. Also, check planters about an hour after watering and drain off excess water.
• Immersion can be beneficial to many kinds of plants, including cacti and citrus plants. Immerse the whole root ball in a large container of water; you'll know the ball is fully saturated when no more air bubbles rise to the top.
• Keep rainwater and stale mineral water around; both are good for watering plants, as is water that has been used for boiling potatoes or eggs — just allow it to cool and make sure it's completely salt-free.
• Leave tap water to sit overnight before you water plants with it.
• Spray your plants on occasion. Use only lime-free water for spraying to keep ugly lime scale from building up. And pamper your plants (especially cacti and plants with large leaves) with a cleansing shower twice a year: either put them out in the rain or spray them with a shower head. Tip the pots of cacti to keep water from running directly into them.

Tip: Besides water, plants need light to thrive: a window facing south and constantly exposed to the sun is ideal for cacti and succulents. Ferns, golden pothos and spider plants, on the other hand, do well in a north-facing window or in relatively dark areas of a room.

A terrarium is a unique way to bring a little greenery to a cramped space. Here's how to get it done with a minimum amount of fuss.

1. Line the bottom of a large, big-bellied bottle with gravel. Then use popsicle sticks to extend the handle of a spoon and a fork (use some tape to attach them).
2. Put a layer of soil on top of the gravel and smooth it out. Use a cardboard funnel to keep the sides of the bottle clean.
3. Insert the plants with the spoon and the fork — suitable plants include ferns, ivy and orchids. Don't plant them too closely — they need room to grow.
4. Carefully water the plants with cooled boiled water and tightly seal the bottle. If the bottle fogs up, you've overwatered.
5. Don't place the bottle garden in the sun or on or near a heating unit.