How Often Should I Water My Plant?

Last week we talked about the most common mistakes people make with plants, and this week we’re going to dive deeper into one of them: watering woes!

For today’s #PlantTipTuesday, we’re answering the important question: How Often Should I Water My Plant? 

If you take away one thing from this post, let it be this: there is no way to prescribe a watering schedule for your plant! If you try to set a schedule and fiercely stick to it, you will end up ignoring your plant’s needs. Your intentions are honorable, but while a plant likes routine in where it’s located...watering needs can truly vary.

But don’t worry! With time, you will get to know your plant, and much of your care routine will become intuitive. If you treat your plant like an individual, just like your children or your pet, this will be easier. Remember that every plant has its own unique personality and benefits from individual care.

The Chopstick Method 

The Chopstick Method is a pretty foolproof way to check up on your plant’s hydration. 

Here’s how to do it:

• Place a plain wooden chopstick into the soil between the rim and the main stem of the plant. Push the stick down into the soil, about 1 to 2 inches deep. And if you’re checking more than one plant, remember to use a different chopstick for each plant! 

• Be sure to leave the stick in the soil for about 10 minutes, then you can pull it out. Does it look dark? Is there any water mark? If so, then your plant’s soil is moist. If the chopstick changed its color only slightly, it means the soil is slightly moist. Then if it’s dry and there’s no color change at all, the soil is dry.

If you’re doing the chopstick method with a succulent, for example, it prefers  to stay dry for a while between each watering session, so you can wait a bit even though the soil is dry.

Plant Size Considerations

Smaller plants typically need more attention and more frequent waterings than larger plants (of course succulents would be an exception to this rule). 

Also, a plant that gets a lot of sunlight will need water more frequently.

If you prefer to have a general measuring stick, the amount of water to use is about ¼ to ⅓ the pot’s volume.

Plant Soil Absorption 

A plant’s soil does not automatically absorb the water you’re giving it! Remember that soil actually repels water initially, rather than immediately absorbing it. So during the first moments you spend watering, you will see that the water immediately comes through the drainage area. 

Take the time to water your plant for a few minutes longer, until you can see that water is not just passing through the soil, but is being absorbed.

And don’t forget to remove the excess water within 15-30 minutes.

Water Temperature 

To prevent temperature shock, always use lukewarm water. Possibly, avoid tap water - it’s often highly chlorinated, and in some areas, it has an excessive amount of minerals. You can get good and cheap chemical-free water by collecting rainwater. Put buckets out before it rains, then store the water you catch in bottles.

Finally, a great trick when watering is to group your plants into similar needs sections throughout your home. If you put your succulents together in one place, and plants that need more attention in another- you won’t forget or overwater due to just being in the habit in a certain location!

Do you have any plant watering tips and tricks we may have missed? How do you water each of your plants the perfect amount? Share with us!