The Secret to Keeping Houseplants Alive

Keeping Your Houseplants Alive by Watering the Right Way

In general, and I do mean “in general,” water houseplants roughly 1x per week. But this type of watering schedule may not work for all plants. So it’s important to understand when a plant does not need to be watered.

NOTE: If you have succulents or cacti, water 1x a month or less. These plants typically thrive on neglect. For my cacti and succulents like aloe vera, cacti, etc., I don’t water them much at all and almost leave them alone.

Why We Mistakenly Over-Water

Most people water because the soil looks dry or it’s that day of the week when they are scheduled to water.

The problem with both of these methods is that the soil where the roots are may not actually be dry.

And if the soil is not really dry, then plant roots sit in a wet soggy mess that promotes pest and disease problems.

So just because the top layer of soil looks dry doesn’t mean it is. And, the plant may not “need” to be watered on the scheduled watering day.

How Does Soil Retain Water and Still Look Dry?

Wet soil is very similar to a sponge. If you soak a sponge and hold it upright, water collects at the bottom while the top dries out. Thus, the soil surface may look and feel dry, but may not be dry where the roots are located.

How to Determine Whether Houseplants NEED to be Watered

While I mentioned having a scheduled watering day could be harmful to plants, it is good to plan one so that watering is on your radar.

So choose a day of the week when you want to water. Then check each plant using the cake batter test.

• use a finger, plastic knife, popsicle stick or something similar.
• insert it in to the soil about an inch down
• if the tester comes out clean, it’s time to water
• if the tester comes out with some wet soil, do not water yet
• Re-check using the same process in another day or two if the tester comes out with some wet soil.

Step 1 – Get a plastic knife, popsicle stick or you can use your finger

Step 2 – Insert the object into the soil about an inch or more down

Step 3 – Remove the object and see if if comes out dry or with wet soil

I know this sounds like a task but you will get to know your plants and their watering needs after a few weeks.

Pro-Tip for New Plants: It’s a good idea to use the cake batter test for the first few weeks of care so you get to know the plant and its watering requirements.

To learn more houseplant tips and tricks