On the other hand, many plants actively begin to grow or bloom, so they must have more water, and be fed. While plants are dormant they should only a minimum amount of water each time that the soil becomes dry to the touch an inch below the surface. During periods of active growth the plant should be thoroughly soaked as soon as the soil dries. There are no hard and fast rules to watering, because every situation is different, according to temperatures, and soil types etc. It is better to keep a plant on a slightly dry side than overwatered.
More houseplants die from overwatering than any other cause.
This is enough time for the chemicals to dissipate and evaporate from the water. Even though my water comes from a spring, I still keep a couple of gallon milk bottles filled for watering so that it is at room temperature when I use it. The amount and the intensity of the light that the plant receives dictates much of a plant's life cycle. Even though the plant maybe from the jungles where it lives in the shade of trees, appears to be getting plenty of light, the intensity of the light indoors is going to be much lower. Insufficient light usually manifests itself with pale foliage, lanky growth, and general lack of luster.