Pro tip: I stopped killing my succulents by ignoring the 'once a week' rule

My succulents in my apartment in Austin kept getting mushy and dying, no matter what I did. I was watering them every Saturday like clockwork because that's what I read online. After losing about five plants over six months, I got mad and just stopped. I didn't water my last surviving jade plant for a full three weeks. The soil was bone dry. I finally gave it a good soak, and it perked up like crazy. Now I just stick my finger deep in the pot and only water if it's completely dry an inch down. It sounds simple, but I was so stuck on a schedule I missed the actual signs. Has anyone else found a basic plant care rule that's totally wrong for their home?

3 comments

3 Comments

sam_rivera2mo ago

My overwatering habit killed more plants than my cat.

webb.jordan2mo agoTop Commenter

Stick your finger in the dirt before watering.

oliver5231mo ago

Huh, is that really the best test though? I've heard the moisture meter thing works better since different plants need totally different amounts of dry soil before watering.