Watering seems simple — you pour water and the plant drinks. But overwatering and underwatering cause the majority of houseplant deaths. Here's how to get it right every time.
PlantGlow
Plant Care Expert
💡 Golden rule: It's better to underwater than overwater. Most houseplants recover from slight drought much easier than from root rot.
Before you water, stick your finger 2 inches into the soil. If it feels dry, water. If it feels damp, wait. This simple test prevents most watering mistakes.
No soil-based mix? Try lifting the pot — dry soil weighs much less than wet soil. You'll learn to gauge moisture by feel.
Step 1: Water thoroughly until it drains from the bottom. This ensures the entire root zone gets moisture.
Step 2: Wait 15-20 minutes, then empty any water left in the saucer. Plants shouldn't sit in standing water — it leads to root rot.
Step 3: Don't water again until the soil is dry (using the finger test).
Tap water is fine for most plants, but some are sensitive to chlorine and fluoride. If your Calathea or Calathea develops brown edges, try filtered or rainwater instead.
Always use room-temperature water. Cold water shocks roots and can cause leaf drop, especially in tropical plants like Monstera.
Browse plants and get specific watering schedules on PlantGlow.
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