Why You Shouldn't Use Ice Cubes to Water Your Plants

It may seem like a smart, time-saving method, but it can do more harm than good.

Getty / Robin Gentry

Watering houseplants with ice cubes may seem like a clever and convenient hack, but it may be doing more harm than good. However, this method has become very popular over the years, particularly for watering orchids.

Why is it so detrimental? “Many people claim that watering with ice works for them, [but] the plant is slowly declining," says Lisa Eldred Steinkopf, founder of The Houseplant Guru. "Orchids are meant to last for years, and if watered exclusively with ice cubes, they probably won’t last that long."

Here, we spoke with gardening experts about how watering with ice cubes became common advice, why they discourage it, and their recommendations for how you should water your houseplants.

Tom Knight, owner of Ourhouseplants, traces the trend back to 2010, when a company began suggesting the ice method as part of its marketing strategy for moth orchids. “Orchids were seen as exotic and hard to care for, so suggesting something as easy as using an ice cube made them seem more approachable,” he says.

This method was meant to simplify watering and reduce overwatering risks, says Steinkopf, as letting ice melt slowly would ensure thorough soaking—at least in theory. It could also help minimize water runoff by allowing gradual absorption, says Steve Dubik, a master gardener coordinator at the University of Maryland Extension.

However, while the ice cube method appealed to beginners and quickly caught on, the practice can, in fact, stress plants in ways that home gardeners may not realize.

Many popular houseplants come from warm, humid, tropical environments, and ice water is a far cry from what they’re used to. “They never experience freezing temperatures, and ice could really shock their system,” says Samantha Adler, owner of Houseplant Concierge.

Leslie F. Halleck, a certified horticulturist, agrees. “If you do use ice cubes to water your orchids, they should not touch any part of the plant—including roots or stems—or there could be cold damage.”

Experts say that overwatering is a leading cause of houseplant decline. Ice cubes can keep the growing medium too moist, increasing the risk of root rot. “Orchids naturally grow as epiphytes in tropical jungles; they receive a lot of rain, but they also dry quickly because of air movement and temperature,” says Steinkopf.

Though the ice melts slowly, experts note that the water doesn’t always reach the entire root system.

“Ice cubes only water one area of the plant and soil, leading to inconsistent moisture in the substrate,” says Adler. Halleck also points out that three ice cubes don’t actually amount to much water. Both outcomes can leave the bottom roots dry and dying.

Steinkopf similarly questions the imprecision: “All ice cubes aren’t the same size. Tiny round ones? Big cubes from an ice maker? It would be better if the ice were melted and the warm water used [instead].”

Fertilizing is essential for healthy plant growth, and ice cubes just don’t cut it. “The easiest way to fertilize is to mix some liquid fertilizer into your watering can as you water your plants,” says Adler. “By using the ice cube method, you're not fertilizing as part of your plant care routine.”

Steinkopf echoes the concern: “If you only use ice cubes, when are they getting fertilizer?”

To keep houseplants thriving, mimic their natural environment—use warm water, ensure drainage, and water consistently. According to Adler, tropical plants appreciate minimal substrate, light watering, and added humidity. She recommends watering thoroughly until the water drains into a saucer, and checking soil moisture by touch.

“My advice when you're growing houseplants is to keep things simple and avoid gimmicks," adds Knight. He advises watering plants thoroughly and allowing the soil to dry out partially or fully, depending on the plant, before watering again.

For orchids specifically, Steinkopf recommends checking roots in a clear container. Green roots indicate good watering; silver roots mean dryness.

Also, examine the medium, which will appear darker when wet, whether it’s moss or bark. If you're uncertain, Knight recommends using a basic water meter to indicate the soil's moisture quickly.

Ice cubes aren’t ideal—but there are a few exceptions. “I think of this technique as an emergency or temporary option,” Dubik says.

Knight agrees: “It’s useful for hard-to-reach locations, like high shelves, or for very fast-draining mixes. But if you use it, flush the potting mix every six months and add fertilizer occasionally.”

And if you’re only temporarily caring for a moth orchid? “It’s fine—as long as the ice does not touch plant tissue,” says Halleck.

So while watering with ice cubes may seem like an easy shortcut, your plants will thank you for a more natural, consistent, and nutrient-rich approach.