I know you would think that the cold ice would harm or freeze burn or frostbite the plant but it just slowly melts and gives the plant water that is available to a shallow root system, and that stays in the soil longer allowing it to be accessed. When plants are watered with tap water or hose, the water can either run through the soil, leaving little for the plant to access or it builds up in the soil saturating it so the plant drowns. I do adjust the amount of ice depending on the size of the pot and what plant it holds. For the above pot I use three cubes. For the Aloe below I use only one or two since it is a desert plant. The Aloe is about 6 years old (from Richters Herbs) and I have included a before and after style picture. Of course the big one you see is the after - after repotting and about two years of slow water!
I know its hard to tell but the bottom photo is actually in a pot about 4 inches smaller than the top pot (yellow one). The Aloe has thrived in this location which is in front of a North facing window, but we always have a light of some type on there. I'm sure that is why it leans to the right - that is where the light is on!
It may take some practice to get to know what your plants like, but this slow water system will work anywhere if it will work here. I usually give the Rosemary and Sage plants ice every day, but for Aloe and Poinsetta I only do once a week. I do add worm juice to the Rosemary and Sage and Poinsetta once a year, but the Aloe is happy, happy, happy and I leave it alone with its' ice! I know you are probably wondering where the pictures of the Sage and Poinsetta are but they are not in great shape right now - the Sage due to a canniballistic harvesting by my husband to make sausage, and the Poinsetta because it just bloomed for Christmas and it only wants to hibernate for a while! Another time for those two! For now - try your hand at indoor herbs and just put them on ice! Its nice!
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