Watering your plants seems simple, but there’s a lot more to it than just pouring water on the soil! Here's how I care for my plants:
When a pot doesn’t have drainage holes, water has nowhere to go - meaning your plant’s roots can end up sitting in soggy soil. That’s a recipe for root rot and a whole lot of problems.
✅ I always use pots with drainage so excess water can escape and my plants don’t sit in a wet mess.
💡 Want to use a cute pot that doesn’t have holes? Just keep your plant in a plastic nursery pot with drainage and set it inside the decorative one. That’s called double potting - and it works.
🛒 These are the clear nursery pots I use for double potting. They’re sturdy, affordable, and make plant care so much easier.
Your plant’s soil is just as important as when you water! Using the wrong kind is one of the fastest ways to kill a plant.
❌ Most all-purpose potting soil holds onto too much moisture and becomes dense and compacted. When that happens, roots can’t breathe - and without oxygen, they start to suffocate. That’s when you end up with root rot.
✅ Roots need oxygen to stay healthy. They actually breathe through the soil - and if it’s too heavy or soggy, they can’t take in what they need.
That’s why I use a well-draining mix that holds the perfect amount of moisture without suffocating the roots.
🛒 DIY potting mix (peatless) (easy to customize and budget-friendly)
🛒 Potting Mixes by Sol Soils (ready to use and super reliable)
💡 If your soil feels muddy, stays wet too long, or gets compacted - it’s time to upgrade.
Not all plants like the same watering routine - so I don’t follow one! Watering just because it's “watering day” is one of the fastest ways to overwater (or underwater).
Why? Because every plant is different, and so is every environment. What works in one room (or one home) might not work in another.
☀️Plants in brighter light = faster drying soil
🌥 Plants in lower light = slower drying soil
💧 Some are in higher humidity and take longer to dry out
🪴 Plus, some plants like to stay moist, while others hate it
All of this is why I don’t water on a set schedule. Instead, I water based on what each plant actually needs, and how dry the soil is.
❌ Don’t trust the top of the soil - it can look dry while the bottom is still soaking wet.
❌ And sticking your finger in the soil? That only tells you what's happening near the top...
✅ I use clear pots so I can see exactly how far down the soil has dried out.. No guessing, no moisture meters, no digging ... just check the side of the pot!
🛒 Clear pots I use → Shop up to 7 inches | Shop large sizes
The biggest misconception about watering is thinking overwatering means using too much water.
But overwatering isn’t about how much you give - it’s about how often you give it.
✅ A deep, thorough soak is a good thing—as long as you let the soil dry out afterward
❌ Overwatering happens when you water again before the soil has had a chance to dry. When it stays constantly wet, the roots can’t breathe -and that’s how root rot / infections are caused.
When I water, I don’t just give my plants a little sip—I drench them.
I water slowly and deeply until water runs all the way through the bottom of the pot. Then I go back and water again. Why? Because the first pass often just hits dry patches, especially if the soil’s a bit hydrophobic.
The goal is to soak the entire root system, not just the top inch. That’s how you make sure all the roots get the moisture they need.
Why Clear Pots Help
Clear pots make this so much easier.
I can actually see if the water is soaking in or just rushing through. Sometimes, the top will look wet, but I’ll notice some of the soil is still bone dry - or water just shot through dry soil without being absorbed at all.
With clear pots, I can check:
💡 Bottom line: clear pots help take the guesswork out of watering!
Every plant - and every home - is a little different, so there’s no one-size-fits-all watering routine. Once I stopped watering on a schedule and started paying attention to what my plants actually needed, everything got easier. Switching to well-draining soil, using clear pots, and understanding how moisture works in different environments made a huge difference.
I also use self watering pots for a lot of my plants, especially the ones that like to stay evenly moist. It saves me time and helps prevent overwatering.
👉 Want to try it? Check out my Self Watering Guide here - it’s an easy way to make plant care more hands-off without sacrificing root health. Self watering supplies linked here
And if you're ever unsure, remember: check the soil, not the calendar.
LINKS:
Clear pots: Up to 7 inches | Larger Sizes
DIY Potting Mix (peatless): Recipe | Ingredients | Ready to use mixes (Sol Soils)
Self Watering: Guide | Supplies
Thanks for reading!
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