Animal Handling Hey there, fellow plant parents! Let’s cut to the chase – I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve gotten a panicked text from a customer, saying something like “My monstera’s leaves are crispy and my succulent is turning mushy – what the hell am I doing wrong?” And nine times out of ten? It’s not just overwatering or underwatering. It’s realizing that different types of plants need totally different amounts of water. As someone who’s been in the watering game for over 10 years now, I’ve seen so many good plants go bad because people treat all greenery like it’s the same. Today, we’re breaking down exactly why that matters, and how you can stop guessing and start killing it (the kind that makes your plants thrive, not the other kind). First off, let’s get one myth out of the way right now: it’s not about a set schedule. “Water once a week” is the most useless advice ever, and I swear I’ve seen more plants die from following that rigid rule than anything else. Why? Because a plant’s water needs depend on like a dozen factors – type, size, pot, light, humidity, even the season. But let’s start with the big one: PLANT TYPE. That’s the foundation. Because some plants are built like desert survivalists, and others are basically tropical drama queens that will wilt if their soil feels even slightly dry. Let’s start with succulents and cacti, the original low-maintenance squad. These bad boys store water in their leaves, stems, or roots – so they barely need any H2O. I’m talking like every 2-4 weeks, depending on the light. If you water them more often? Their roots will rot, and they’ll turn into that mushy mess you’ve probably seen. Last summer, a customer brought in a crassula she’d been watering once a week, and it was so rotted we had to repot it (and even then, half of it didn’t make it). She couldn’t believe it – she was following the schedule she’d seen online. But succulents hate soggy soil, period. Then there’s the tropical plants – think monstera, pothos, fiddle-leaf figs, peace lilies. These are from rainforests, right? So they’re used to consistent moisture, not swampy muck, but not bone dry either. Peace lilies are great for newbies because they actually tell you when they need water – their leaves droop a little, like they’re giving you a tiny plant pout. But monstera? They want their soil to dry out a bit between waterings, not stay wet. I’ve found a lot of people mix up tropical plants with succulents, and vice versa, which is where the trouble hits. Next up: foliage vs. flowering plants. Wait, did you know flowering plants need more water than non-flowering ones? Because making blooms takes energy, and water is key for that. Like, if you have a peace lily that’s just leaves vs. one that’s blooming, the blooming one will need water a little more often. Same with hibiscus or geraniums – those are flowering machines, so they drink more. Foliage plants like snake plants or ZZ plants? They’re happy to take it easy. Snake plants, by the way – they’re the ultimate “forget me” plant. I’ve had one in my office for 6 months, water it maybe twice, and it’s still going strong. That’s because their leaves hold water, and their roots hate being wet. Now, let’s talk about other factors that play into this, because plant type isn’t the only piece of the puzzle. For example, pot size and material. A plant in a tiny terracotta pot will dry out way faster than the same plant in a big plastic pot. Terracotta is porous, so it lets moisture escape through the sides – so if you’ve got a terracotta monstera, you’ll probably need to water it every 7-10 days, not the 2 weeks you might do for a plastic pothos. And size of the plant? A big, full monstera with tons of leaves will lose more water through transpiration (that’s when plants “sweat” through their leaves) than a tiny baby plant. So a 3-foot monstera needs way more water than a 6-inch cutting. Light and season too – that’s a big one I see people miss. In the summer, when it’s hot and the sun is blazing, plants are drinking way more. But in the winter, when light is low and temperatures are cool, their growth slows down, so they need way less water. I remember one customer who wintered her pothos and kept watering it the same as she did in July – it was basically drowning by February. That’s such a common mistake. So how do you actually figure out how much YOUR specific plant needs? I’ve got a simple trick that I teach all my regulars, and it beats any app or schedule. Stick your finger in the soil, like, an inch deep. If it’s dry, water. If it’s even a little damp? Hold off. That’s it. No guesswork, no rigid times. For succulents, go a little deeper – like 2 inches – because their roots need way more time to dry. For tropical plants, maybe ½ an inch, since they like a little more consistent moisture. But here’s the thing – that trick works, but having the right watering tool makes it so much easier. Like, our adjustable flow watering cans? They let you control the pressure, so you don’t blast soil all over the place (which can damage roots) or overwater with a heavy flow. We’ve had customers tell us switching to the right can cut their plant deaths in half. Crazy, right? Because it’s not just how much you water, it’s how you water too – but that’s a whole other post. Wait, let’s circle back to the original question: do different types of plants need different watering amounts? 100% yes. I’ve tested this with so many customers. Last month, a lady brought in three identical plants: two succulents, one tropical. She’d been watering all three the same, and the succulents were fine, but the tropical was wilting. Once she started watering the tropical a little more often, it perked up in 2 days. That’s the kind of small change that makes a huge difference. Another example: herbs. Oh, herbs! They’re a mix. Basil and mint are tropical-like, so they need consistent moisture – if they dry out, they wilt fast. But rosemary and thyme are Mediterranean, so they like to dry out between waterings. I’ve killed more rosemary than I care to admit before I learned that. Herbs in pots on a sunny windowsill? They’ll need water almost every day in summer, but maybe once a week in winter. So many people think all herbs need the same thing, and that’s why their basil turns brown or their rosemary gets mushy. What about outdoor plants? Wait, this is for indoor, but outdoor plants have their own type differences. Like, lawn grass vs. rose bushes vs. shrubs. Lawn grass needs about 1-2 inches of water a week, but deep, infrequent watering is better than light daily sprays (that’s why our oscillating sprinklers are designed to cover that evenly). Rose bushes need more water than most shrubs, especially when they’re blooming. Evergreen shrubs? They don’t need much in winter, because their growth slows down. So same rule applies: type matters. Now, let’s talk about what happens when you get this wrong. Overwatering is the number one killer of houseplants, hands down. It causes root rot, which is basically when the roots sit in water and die, turning mushy and brown. Underwatering is bad too – leaves get crispy, stems wilt, but usually that’s easier to fix (you can water them, and they bounce back, whereas root rot is often fatal). But the key is matching your watering to your plant’s type. So, as someone who’s lived and breathed watering solutions for years, my advice is: first, figure out what type of plant you have. Google its specific needs (but take the “water once a week” with a grain of salt), use that finger test to check soil moisture, and invest in good tools that make watering easy. Because you shouldn’t have to stress over your plants – you should get to enjoy them, not fight with them. If you’re a plant parent who’s tired of killing greens, or you’re setting up a new space and need the right gear to keep a whole group of plants happy, hit us up. We’re here to help you pick the right watering tools for every type of plant you have, no matter if you’ve got one succulent or a whole indoor jungle. Don’t guess – get it right. References: 1. International Society of Arboriculture. (2021). Watering Practices for Indoor and Landscape Plants. 2. Plant Physiology. (2020). Transpiration Rates and Water Needs in Vascular Plant Groups. 3. University Extension Service, The Ohio State University. (2022). Houseplant Care: Watering Strategies by Species Type. 4. Royal Horticultural Society. (2021). Watering Needs of Ornamental and Edible Plants by Growth Habit. Watering
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