Just realized my favorite plant was dying because I was watering it wrong

I was giving my peace lily a full cup every Monday, but the leaves kept turning yellow. A friend in Denver told me to only water when the soil feels dry an inch down, and it perked up in a week. How do you figure out the right watering schedule for a new plant?

3 comments

3 Comments

benc536d ago

The finger test is the best method for most plants. Stick your finger in the soil and water only if the top inch is dry. It saves you from over-loving them with too much water.

terry_lewis2112d ago

Check the plant's tag or look up its native climate. Most houseplants want their soil to dry out a bit between waterings. The finger test is way more reliable than a set schedule.

martin.paige12d ago

Totally agree with @terry_lewis21 on this. It reminds me of how we try to put everything on a strict schedule, even when it doesn't fit. We do it with work tasks and social plans too. Sticking to a set watering day ignores what the plant actually needs right now, like if it's cloudy or hot. The finger test forces you to pay attention and adjust, which is a better habit for pretty much everything. We should all learn to check the actual conditions more often instead of just following the calendar.