Five Simple Ways to Tell When Your Houseplants Need Water

Houseplants do not grow in their natural conditions, so watering them correctly is tricky. Botany expert Maksim Kazakov told Real Simple that the balance in an artificial environment is delicate, because the plant owner is the only water source and potting mix can dry out quickly, but overwatering is also common. He said there are five straightforward ways to tell when a houseplant really needs water.

Kazakov recommends first paying attention to the potting mix itself. An unsuitable mix can hold too much or too little moisture, so it should retain water while still letting air and water move through it. He suggests adding materials such as perlite or vermiculite to improve aeration and moisture retention.

Another tip is to stop watering on a fixed weekly schedule and instead set reminders to check the plant. Houseplant expert Justin Hancock said watering needs change with the season, temperature, light, and humidity. He warned, “If you water the same amount in summer and winter, you may overwater in the cooler months.” He advised using an app or phone calendar to check the plant regularly rather than watering automatically.

The plant’s leaves also provide clues. When a plant is thirsty, leaves may droop, wilt, curl inward, feel soft, or, in thick-leaved plants, develop wrinkles. Hancock noted that many houseplants also lose some of their natural shine before they visibly wilt. But drooping leaves can also mean too much water, so the soil must be checked too.

To test the soil, insert a finger about one centimeter into the mix, or observe its color, since some mixes, such as coconut fiber, become lighter as they dry. With practice, the weight of the pot can also signal when it has dried out, because wetter soil makes the pot heavier. The best method is to combine several signs, which helps avoid both overwatering and underwatering and keeps houseplants healthy and green.