From my perspective, my roots are my lifeline. They are how I breathe and drink. When you provide too much water, it fills all the air pockets in the soil, creating a suffocating, soggy environment. My fine root hairs, responsible for water and nutrient uptake, begin to drown and rot. This root rot is a silent killer. You might not see it immediately, but I am struggling. The first sign I send is through my leaves; they will turn yellow, often starting at the lower, older leaves and sometimes showing dark brown, almost black spots with a yellowish halo. These spots are soft and mushy, not dry. My new growth may also emerge brown and soft before it even has a chance to unfurl. Most tellingly, the soil will remain wet for an alarmingly long time, and a musty, unpleasant odor might emanate from the pot—a sure sign of decay happening below the surface.
Conversely, when I do not receive enough water, my entire system goes into conservation mode. Without sufficient moisture in the soil, my roots cannot pull water up to my stems and magnificent leaves. To prevent total collapse, I am forced to sacrifice parts of myself. You will see my leaves begin to lose their rigid, glossy structure. They will become limp, droopy, and feel like thin leather. The edges and tips will turn crispy and brown, a symptom of tissue death from dehydration. This browning is distinctly dry and brittle, unlike the soft spots from overwatering. I will also curl my leaves inward in a desperate attempt to reduce their surface area and minimize further water loss. My soil will pull away from the edges of the pot, and it will feel dust-dry to the touch deep into the pot, not just on the surface. My growth will completely stall, as I have no resources to dedicate to creating new leaves.
It is crucial for you to understand that my needs are not static. They change with the seasons. During my active growing season in spring and summer, with more light and warmer temperatures, I will require more frequent watering. In the fall and winter, when my growth slows and light levels diminish, my thirst decreases significantly. The type of pot I live in also matters greatly. A porous terracotta pot allows soil to dry much faster than a glazed ceramic or plastic pot. The best way to understand my needs is to check my soil directly. Insert your finger two inches into the soil; I need a drink only when that depth feels dry. Providing me with bright, indirect light and a consistent watering routine based on my soil's moisture, not the calendar, is the key to our harmonious coexistence.
