Exact watering schedules for 80+ 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 A Bonsai?
Check a bonsai every day and water when the top of the soil starts to dry, usually every 1 to 3 days. Learn the soak method that keeps small roots healthy.
Check daily, water when dryFruit PlantsHow Often To Water Pomegranate Trees?
Water a young pomegranate once a week and an established tree every 2 to 3 weeks. Learn how steady moisture stops the fruit from splitting before harvest.
Once a week for young treesSucculents & CactiCan Aloe Vera Grow In Water?
Aloe vera can grow roots in water, but it rots easily and does not thrive there. Learn the safer way to start new plants and when to move them to soil.
3 min readVegetablesHow Often To Water Onions?
Water onions 1 to 2 times a week, about 1 inch in total, then stop when the tops fall over. Learn how steady water builds big, firm bulbs.
1 to 2 times a weekTrees & ShrubsHow Often To Water Spruce Trees?
Water a young spruce once a week and a mature spruce every 2 to 3 weeks in dry spells. Learn why shallow roots make spruce sensitive to drought.
Once a week for young treesHerbsHow Often To Water Rosemary?
Water rosemary every 1 to 2 weeks and let the soil dry out in between. Learn how to keep this dry loving herb alive in pots and in the ground.
Every 1 to 2 weeksHouseplantsHow Often To Water Begonias?
Water begonias about once a week, when the top inch of soil is dry, and keep water off the leaves. Learn how to avoid rot and powdery mildew.
Once a weekHouseplantsHow Often To Water A Money Tree?
Water a money tree every 1 to 2 weeks, once the top 2 to 3 inches of soil are dry. Learn why the braided trunk makes overwatering the main risk.
Every 1 to 2 weeksFruit PlantsHow Often To Water A Pear Tree?
Water a young pear tree once a week and an established tree every 2 to 3 weeks in dry spells. Learn how steady water builds sweet, juicy fruit.
Once a week for young treesNot 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.