To understand my watering needs, you must first know where I come from. My ancestors thrived in the arid, rocky landscapes of West Africa. I am a succulent, which means my thick, upright leaves are designed to store significant amounts of water. My roots are adapted to seek moisture deep within the soil and are highly susceptible to rotting in consistently wet conditions. My entire biological purpose is to withstand drought. When you water me too frequently, you are working directly against my evolutionary design, drowning my roots and creating a hostile environment where harmful fungi and bacteria can flourish.
The single most important principle for my health is the "soak and dry" method. This does not mean giving me a small sip of water every week. Instead, when you do water, you must do so thoroughly. Pour water evenly around my soil until it begins to flow freely from the drainage holes at the bottom of my pot. This ensures that the entire root ball has access to moisture. Then, the crucial part: you must wait. Allow my soil to dry out almost completely before you even think about watering again. I am not being dramatic when I say I would vastly prefer to be too dry than too wet.
My watering schedule is not a fixed date on your calendar. It is a rhythm dictated by my environment. You must observe the conditions I live in. During the spring and summer, my growing season, I am more active and will use water more quickly. In the fall and winter, I enter a period of dormancy and my water requirements drop dramatically—I may only need a drink once a month or even less. The amount of light I receive is also critical. If I am sitting in bright, indirect light, I will photosynthesize more and need water more often than if I am in a low-light corner. The type of pot matters, too; I dry out faster in porous terracotta than in glazed ceramic or plastic.
Do not rely on a schedule; rely on your senses. The most reliable method is the finger test. Insert your finger or a wooden chopstick about two inches into my soil. If it comes out clean and dry, with no soil sticking to it, it is time for a thorough watering. If you feel dampness or see soil on the stick, please wait. Another clear sign is my leaves. When I am perfectly hydrated, they are firm and rigid. If I am severely thirsty, they may begin to wrinkle, become less firm, or even fold slightly. However, it is always safer to err on the side of underwatering.
Overwatering is the fastest way to cause me harm. It is a silent killer. When my roots are constantly wet, they suffocate and begin to rot. This rot can spread quickly up into my rhizomes (my underground stems) and leaves. You may notice my leaves turning yellow, becoming mushy and soft at the base, or drooping significantly. By the time these signs are visible above the soil, the damage below is often extensive. Recovering from advanced root rot is very difficult for me. Protecting me from this is simple: when in doubt, do not water.
