The mistake people make with watering succulents indoors

I kept killing my jade plants for two years until a friend told me I was watering them wrong. Turns out most people water on a schedule, but succulents need water based on soil dryness, not the calendar. Has anyone else figured out that sticking your finger an inch deep is the only way to know for sure?

3 comments

3 Comments

ben8272mo ago

Yeah I used to be all about watering on a set schedule too. Thought I had it dialed in with my jade plants, watering every Sunday like clockwork. Then I started noticing the leaves getting all soft and mushy and I couldn't figure out why. Stuck my finger in the soil after a few weeks of that and realized it was still wet from the last watering like three inches down. Switched to checking with my finger every time and I haven't lost a plant since. Makes you feel kinda dumb when you realize how simple it actually is.

lindahunt2mo ago

Finger test is overrated, jade plants thrive on neglect and bone dry soil.

theathomas21d agoMost Upvoted

My friend Jen killed three jade plants before she admitted she was watering them every four days because she felt bad for them. Now she ignores them for weeks at a time and they're finally thriving.