The Secret to Keeping Houseplants Alive

2 Materials
5 Minutes
Easy

Do you struggle with houseplants? Are you looking for ways to keep them alive? Mine used to struggle for years until I learned the secret to keeping them happy and healthy. And today, I'm sharing that secret with you.

While we could chat about a number of ways to keeping houseplants alive, there is one BIG thing we do wrong without even realizing it.


Over-watering.


Did you know that the number one houseplant killer is over-watering?


Yep. Rethinking how we water our plants will save a lot of heartache when a houseplant succumbs to pest and disease problems.


It is so important not to allow plants to sit in soggy roots.


Why? Because soggy roots promote pest and disease problems.

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, click here.

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Stacy Ling | Bricks 'n Blooms
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3 of 14 questions
  • Jjqq Jjqq on Jul 25, 2023

    Stacy - it is still not clear if the knife is wet or dry after you remove from plant. Instead of leaving us guessing - please just let us know - your the only one who has the answer. Wet or Dry? Thank You

  • Cathy Chandler Cathy Chandler on Jul 25, 2023

    I have a lucky Bamboo plant and someone told me to put water in bowl and not on top. It just doesn't look like it is growing. How should I water this right to get it to grow taller

  • Cindy Sobek Cindy Sobek on Aug 01, 2023

    But you also said the soil could be dry on top, but the bottom soul may be soggy? Well an inch from the top isn’t showing us what’s going on in the bottom.

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  • Susan Grekso Susan Grekso on Aug 01, 2023

    Thanks! Will try.

  • Ann Edmondson Ann Edmondson on Aug 01, 2023

    If you want an easy way to have your plant tester in easy reach, poke a hole in one end of plastic knife or popsicle stick. Take an 8 - 12 inch string and tie one end to the handle of your watering can. Tie the other end to your tester. After you have watered your plants place the tester inside your can. No lost tester and you never forget to check your plants.

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