I used to forget to water my plants all the time—until I found out ice cubes could do the job for me. Just pop one or two on the soil and let them melt slowly, no mess, no guesswork.
Some of my favorites actually prefer it this way, and they’re thriving. It’s such a simple trick, I started using it on more plants than I expected. A few of these might surprise you too!
1. Orchids
These elegant bloomers absolutely love the slow-melting moisture that ice cubes provide. The gradual release of water mimics their natural rain forest environment where water slowly trickles down from the canopy.
Place two or three ice cubes at the base of your orchid once a week, keeping them away from leaves and aerial roots. This method prevents the common orchid killer – root rot – while maintaining the perfect humidity level these tropical beauties crave.
2. Peace Lily
Known for their dramatic wilting when thirsty, peace lilies actually benefit from the measured hydration of ice cubes. Their sensitive root systems appreciate the gentle, consistent moisture release.
Simply place 3-4 ice cubes around the soil’s edge weekly, avoiding direct contact with stems. This technique prevents the soggy soil conditions that often lead to root problems while still satisfying their moderate water needs.
3. Snake Plant
Virtually indestructible, snake plants are desert-dwellers that store water in their thick leaves. The ice cube method works perfectly for these drought-tolerant beauties because it prevents their number one enemy – overwatering.
Add just 1-2 ice cubes every two weeks near the soil edge. This measured approach keeps the soil from staying wet too long, mimicking the snake plant’s natural dry conditions while providing just enough moisture for healthy growth.
4. Pothos
Hardy and forgiving, pothos vines thrive with minimal fuss. The ice cube technique perfectly suits their easygoing nature while preventing yellow leaves caused by inconsistent watering patterns.
Weekly placement of 2-3 ice cubes per 6 inches of pot diameter does the trick. This measured approach maintains the slightly moist soil pothos prefer without creating soggy conditions that can lead to stem rot.
5. Aloe Vera
Succulents like aloe vera store water in their fleshy leaves and actually prefer periods of dryness between waterings. Ice cubes provide the perfect solution for these desert natives that hate having wet feet.
Place just 1-2 ice cubes near the soil edge every two weeks. This minimal moisture approach prevents the root rot that commonly affects overwatered aloe plants while still providing enough hydration for healthy growth.
6. Fiddle Leaf Fig
Notorious for being finicky, fiddle leaf figs actually respond well to the consistent moisture that ice cubes provide. Their tropical nature demands regular watering without the soggy conditions that often lead to root problems.
For a standard-sized plant, 4-6 ice cubes weekly works well. Distribute them evenly around the soil surface, keeping them away from the trunk to prevent bark damage while ensuring the root ball receives gradual, even moisture.
7. ZZ Plant
Practically indestructible, ZZ plants have thick rhizomes that store water for weeks. The ice cube method perfectly complements their drought-tolerant nature by preventing the overwatering that commonly kills these hardy plants.
Just 2-3 ice cubes every two weeks will suffice for most ZZ plants. This minimal approach keeps their soil on the drier side – exactly how these resilient plants evolved to grow in their native African habitats.
8. Spider Plant
Air-purifying champions with a cascade of arching leaves, spider plants appreciate consistent moisture without soggy conditions. Ice cubes provide the perfect balance these easy-growing plants need to thrive indoors.
Place 3-4 ice cubes weekly around the soil’s edge, away from the plant’s crown. This gradual release method prevents the root rot issues that commonly plague overwatered spider plants while supporting their moderate water requirements.
9. Rubber Plant
With their glossy, leathery leaves, rubber plants store water efficiently but still need consistent moisture. The ice cube method provides the steady hydration these tropical natives require without the risk of overwatering.
For medium-sized plants, 3-4 ice cubes weekly works perfectly. This measured approach keeps the soil evenly moist without creating the waterlogged conditions that can lead to yellowing leaves and root issues.
10. Air Plants
Despite their name, air plants do need water – just not in the conventional way. Ice cubes provide the perfect slow-release moisture these rootless wonders can absorb through their specialized leaf structures.
Place a single ice cube near (not directly on) your air plant once a week. As it melts, the plant will absorb the moisture it needs through its leaves, mimicking the light morning dew these epiphytes would naturally receive in their native habitats.
11. African Violet
Famously fussy about water on their fuzzy leaves, African violets benefit tremendously from ice cube watering. This method keeps water away from sensitive foliage while providing the consistent moisture their roots need.
Place 2-3 small ice cubes at the soil edge weekly, carefully avoiding the leaves. The slow melt perfectly maintains the slightly moist soil these bloomers prefer while preventing the crown rot that often occurs with traditional top-watering.
12. Jade Plant
Stocky and resilient, jade plants store water in their thick leaves and stems. The ice cube method perfectly suits their succulent nature by providing minimal, controlled moisture.
Just 1-2 ice cubes every two weeks is sufficient for most jade plants. This restrained approach prevents the root rot that commonly affects overwatered succulents while still providing enough hydration to support their slow, steady growth.
13. Chinese Evergreen
Low-maintenance and air-purifying, Chinese evergreens appreciate consistent moisture without wet feet. Ice cubes provide the perfect solution for these tropical understory plants that naturally grow in dappled light with intermittent rainfall.
Add 2-3 ice cubes weekly, distributing them around the soil surface. This gradual release method maintains the moderate moisture these plants prefer while preventing the soggy conditions that can lead to root problems.
14. Money Tree
Believed to bring financial luck, money trees actually thrive with the measured hydration that ice cubes provide. Their braided trunks and palm-like leaves need consistent moisture without the stress of soaking and drying cycles.
Place 3-4 ice cubes weekly around the soil’s edge, away from the trunk. This technique ensures the root ball receives gradual, even moisture while preventing the root rot issues that often plague overwatered money trees.
15. Boston Fern
Lush and feathery, Boston ferns naturally grow in humid forest environments with consistent moisture. Ice cubes perfectly mimic this steady hydration pattern while preventing the soggy soil that can damage their delicate roots.
For medium-sized ferns, 4-5 ice cubes twice weekly works well. This approach maintains the evenly moist soil these humidity-lovers require while preventing the waterlogged conditions that can lead to yellowing fronds.
16. Philodendron
Adaptable and easy-going, philodendrons thrive with the consistent moisture that ice cubes provide. Their tropical heritage means they appreciate regular watering without sitting in soggy soil.
Use 2-3 ice cubes weekly for smaller varieties, more for larger plants. This measured approach keeps the soil evenly moist without creating waterlogged conditions that can lead to yellowing leaves and root issues.
17. Anthurium
Famous for their waxy, heart-shaped blooms, anthuriums need consistent moisture without wet feet. Ice cubes provide the perfect balance these tropical flowering plants require to keep producing their striking blooms.
Place 2-3 ice cubes weekly around the soil edge, away from stems and leaves. This slow-release method maintains the slightly moist conditions anthuriums prefer while preventing the root rot that often affects overwatered specimens.
18. Dracaena
Tall and architectural, dracaenas store water in their woody trunks and can actually suffer from too much moisture. The ice cube method provides the minimal, controlled hydration these plants prefer.
Add 2-3 ice cubes weekly for smaller varieties, 4-5 for larger specimens. This measured approach prevents the brown leaf tips and root rot commonly caused by overwatering while still providing enough moisture for healthy growth.
19. Calathea
Known for their stunning patterned leaves, calatheas can be quite particular about watering. The ice cube method provides the steady moisture these prayer plants need without the mineral buildup that causes brown leaf edges.
Place 3-4 ice cubes weekly around the soil surface, avoiding direct contact with leaves. This technique maintains the consistently moist soil calatheas prefer while preventing the waterlogged conditions that can lead to root problems.
20. English Ivy
Classic and elegant, English ivy thrives with consistent moisture but hates soggy conditions. Ice cubes provide the perfect balance these trailing vines need to maintain their lush appearance.
Add 2-3 ice cubes weekly for smaller plants, more for larger specimens. This measured approach keeps the soil evenly moist without creating the waterlogged environment that often leads to root rot and pest problems.