Ready to water? Feel the potting mix first
Use your watering day to check the plant, pot and mix. Then decide whether it needs a drink.
The Zairi Flowers team · Updated 03.11.2026
The same plant can dry out at different speeds by a window, in an air-conditioned room or out on the balcony. Pot size and potting mix make a difference too. A reminder is a good time to have a look.
Before you pick up the watering can
- Check what kind of plant you have and whether it likes its mix to stay moist or dry out between drinks.
- Feel just below the surface. The top can be dry while the root ball is still damp.
- Look inside the outer pot for any water left from last time.
When it’s time for a drink
For a pot with drainage holes, wet the mix evenly and let any excess drain away. Empty the saucer or outer pot. Adjust how you water to suit the plant and the mix it grows in.
A drooping leaf is a cue to check
Plants can wilt when they’ve had too much water as well. Before adding any more, feel the mix and check the drainage. Look at the roots if you can do so without damaging the plant. Make a note in My Plants so you can compare next time.