Watering plants in hot weather can be tricky, but gardening experts share the best time of day to keep your garden thriving - and the answer may surprise you.08:01, 24 May 2026Updated 08:09, 24 May 2026Watering is a vital part of keeping your garden plants healthy and flourishing. Every plant needs water to survive — that much is undeniable — and we simply can't rely on the British weather to do all the hard work for us.‌Tending to plants during a heatwave can be both demanding and draining, but there are clever techniques to make your watering routine far more effective during these sweltering spells.‌Choosing the right time of day and getting the quantity of water spot on are two critical decisions that could mean the difference between plants blooming or wilting during hot weather.‌Midday, early morning, late afternoon or evening — there are countless theories about the ideal time to water your garden, and during a heatwave like the one currently gripping the UK, getting it right really does matter.According to plant food specialists at Phostrogen, every plant contains 80% water, and the only way to absorb water is through the roots, making correct watering absolutely essential.‌So what's the best time to get the watering can out? Phostrogen stated, "In spring and autumn, water early in the morning, but in the summer, it can be best to wait until the evening that 5pm to 7pm as watering during full sun can burn the plants."Watering in the evening also significantly reduces the risk of evaporation, meaning your plants will fully benefit from every drop they receive. The sole reason watering in the early evening has gained a poor reputation is that, if you drench the foliage and then leave your garden sitting wet throughout a humid night, it can lead to problems.However, if you're watering gently and slowly at the plant's base, steering clear of the leaves, and you complete the task well before darkness falls, then no, you're not committing a horticultural offence.‌Linda Ly, who operates the gardening blog Garden Betty, maintains that the optimal time to water your garden in summer is between 5am and 9am, but suggests that the second-best window is from 5pm to 8pm.While timing is critical, the amount of water applied is equally important, and despite plants needing additional moisture in hot weather, less is certainly more during the hottest periods.Henry Bartlam, founder of Dig, said to avoid giving "plants a daily light sprinkling of water".Article continues belowInstead, it's "better to give them a good soak every couple of days (especially in warmer weather) than a quick splash every day".He claimed that there is no precise science to this, but if the soil appears nicely moist and doesn't dry out rapidly, "you've probably done a good job".Nevertheless, he cautioned, "Be careful not to overwater and saturate the soil, though - not only could this eventually damage the plants, but it also wastes valuable water."