Exact watering schedules for 20+ plants, in plain English. Type a plant to start.
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New plant-by-plant watering schedules, written to be read in two minutes.
How Often To Water Bamboo?
Water new bamboo every 2 to 3 days and established bamboo once or twice a week. Simple schedules for bamboo in the ground and in pots.
1 to 2 times a weekFruit PlantsHow Often To Water Olive Tree?
Water an established olive tree every 2 to 4 weeks in summer and a new one 1 to 2 times a week. Easy schedules for olive trees in the ground and in pots.
Every 1 to 2 weeksFlowersHow Often To Water Roses In Summer?
In summer, water roses deeply 2 to 3 times a week in the ground and every day in pots. A simple guide to keep roses blooming through the heat.
2 to 3 times a weekHouseplantsHow Often To Water A Poinsettia?
Water a poinsettia about once a week, when the top inch of soil is dry. Learn how to water it so it keeps its red leaves through the holidays.
About once a weekHerbsHow Often To Water Mint?
Water mint every 2 to 3 days in pots and 1 to 2 times a week in the garden. Keep the soil lightly moist for fresh, tasty leaves.
Every 2 to 3 daysHouseplantsHow Often To Water Monstera?
Water a monstera every 7 to 10 days in spring and summer and every 2 to 3 weeks in winter. Here is how to tell when it is thirsty and how much to give.
Every 7 to 10 daysFlowersHow Often To Water Impatiens?
Water impatiens every 1 to 2 days in pots and 2 to 3 times a week in garden beds. Keep the soil evenly moist for nonstop flowers.
Every 1 to 2 daysHouseplantsHow Often To Water A Snake Plant?
Snake plants need water every 2 to 3 weeks in summer and about once a month in winter. Learn the soak and dry method that keeps them thriving.
Every 2 to 3 weeksFlowersHow Often To Water Marigolds?
Water marigolds once or twice a week in the garden and every 1 to 2 days in pots. Let the top inch of soil dry between waterings.
1 to 2 times a weekNot sure if it needs water? Test first.
Every schedule on this site starts with one habit: check the soil before you pour.
The finger test
Push a finger two knuckles into the soil. Dry at that depth means water. Cool and damp means wait.
The lift test
Pick up the pot right after watering so you learn its wet weight. A pot that feels light is a pot that is thirsty.
The meter test
A cheap soil moisture meter reads the root zone, where your finger can't reach. Great for big pots and beginners.
Watering at a glance
The most searched plants and how often they usually need a drink.
Tools that make watering easy
Best Soil Moisture Meters For Plants
The best soil moisture meters for knowing exactly when to water, from simple battery-free probes to leave-in sensors. Our top picks and how to use them.
Buying guideBest PicksBest Watering Cans For Indoor Plants
The best watering cans for houseplants, from a small long-spout can for shelves to a bigger can for floor plants. Simple picks with pros and cons.
Buying guideWatering questions, answered
How do I know when my plant needs water?
Push a finger about two knuckles deep into the soil. If it feels dry at that depth, water. If it still feels cool and damp, wait a day or two and check again. For pots, lifting them works too: a dry pot feels noticeably lighter.
Is it better to water plants in the morning or evening?
Morning is best for almost every plant. Leaves dry quickly in the daytime sun, which lowers the risk of fungal disease, and roots have water ready for the heat of the afternoon. Evening is the next best choice if mornings are impossible.
Should I water my plants on a fixed schedule?
Use a schedule as a reminder to check, not as an order to water. Heat, light, pot size and season all change how fast soil dries, so a plant that needs water every 7 days in July might need it every 14 days in January.
Is overwatering worse than underwatering?
For most plants, yes. A thirsty plant usually bounces back within hours of a good drink. Roots that sit in soggy soil run out of oxygen and start to rot, and that damage is much harder to undo.
Can I use tap water for my plants?
Tap water is fine for most plants. Leaving it out overnight lets it reach room temperature, which is gentler on roots. A few sensitive plants, like calatheas and carnivorous plants, do better with rainwater or filtered water.