The succulent sale at the farmer's market in Portland totally flipped my watering routine

I used to water my succulents every Sunday like clockwork because I thought they needed a strict schedule. Then back in June I was at the Portland Farmer's Market and this older guy running a succulent booth saw me overwatering a jade plant I just bought. He told me to stop watering on a schedule and instead just stick my finger in the soil about an inch deep. If it's dry, water it. If it's still damp, leave it alone. He said most people kill succulents by loving them too much with water. I tried his method for two months now and I haven't lost a single plant since. Has anyone else had better luck with the finger test over a rigid schedule?

2 comments

2 Comments

baker.christopher5d ago

Are you sure that's not just because you're paying more attention now? I've been growing succulents for almost fifteen years now and I still keep a pretty strict watering schedule, but I adjust it by season. In the summer heat here in Arizona I water every five days, in winter maybe every three weeks. The finger test is fine for people just starting out but once you know your plants and your climate, a schedule works just as well if you're smart about it. I think a lot of folks blame schedules when the real problem is not changing them as the weather changes.

davis.olivia5d ago

Oh man, that's a really good point about seasonal adjustments!