How to check if a plant needs water: the finger test
Too much water kills more house plants than too little. A fixed schedule does not work, because light, season and pot change how fast soil dries. Test the soil, then water.
This is general care advice. Check the label of your plant. Keep toxic plants away from pets and children.
What you need
- Your finger
- A wooden skewer or chopstick (optional)
- Water
- A saucer you can empty
Steps
- Push one finger 2 to 3 cm into the soil. Go in to the first joint. Stay away from the stem.
- Feel the soil on your finger. Dry and crumbly: it needs water. Cool and slightly moist: wait. Wet or muddy: do not water.
- Try the weight test for a second opinion. Lift the pot. A dry pot feels much lighter than a wet pot. Learn the two weights for each plant.
- Try the skewer test for a deep pot. Push a clean wooden skewer to the bottom, then pull it out. A dry skewer means dry soil. Dark, damp soil on the skewer means wet soil.
- If the soil is dry, water slowly around the pot until water runs out of the holes. Water slowly so the soil can absorb it. Dry soil can repel fast water.
- Wait 15 to 30 minutes. Then empty the saucer. Roots that stand in water cannot get air.
- Record your answer in the app. The app learns how fast the soil of this plant dries and sets your next check day.
Check your plant
Answer the questions. The guide shows what to do.
Warnings
- Soil that stays wet for more than a week can mean root rot.
- Very dry soil that pulls away from the pot edge repels water. Water slowly, wait 30 minutes, and water again.
- Succulents, cacti, snake plants and ZZ plants need dry soil almost to the bottom. Ferns and calatheas need soil that is never fully dry.
Questions and answers
How often should I water my house plants?
There is no fixed number of days. Test the soil with a finger. Water when the top 2 to 3 cm are dry, or as the plant type needs.
How much water should I give?
Give enough for water to run out of the holes. Empty the saucer after 15 to 30 minutes. Small sips only wet the top soil.
Do moisture meters work?
They can be wrong, and fertilizer and soil type change the reading. Use your finger as the main test.