From our perspective, deep in the soil, water is everything. It is not just a drink; it is the very medium through which we absorb the nutrients from the earth that you so kindly enriched for us. Our roots are a vast, thirsty network, constantly seeking out moisture. When water is scarce, our tiny root hairs, the primary sites of absorption, shrivel and die. This immediately puts a strain on our entire system. Without a consistent and adequate supply of water, we cannot transport essential minerals and sugars to our stems and leaves, stunting our growth long before you even see a problem above ground.
However, please understand that we despise having constantly wet, soggy feet. While we are thirsty, we are not aquatic plants. Our roots need to breathe. Oxygen is just as crucial below the soil as it is above. When you overwater us or our soil does not drain properly, water fills the air pockets in the soil, effectively suffocating our root system. This leads to root rot, a silent and deadly condition that starts underground and often isn't noticeable until our stems turn black and mushy and we begin to collapse. It is a miserable way to go.
Our water needs are not constant throughout the year; they change with our growth cycle. In our active growing season, from spring through summer, we are working tirelessly to produce our vibrant, daisy-like flowers. This is when we are most thirsty. Consistent moisture during this period is the secret to those large, showy blooms you love. As we move into autumn and our flowering concludes, our energy shifts downward to our roots for winter storage. Our need for water diminishes significantly. Please taper off your watering as the weather cools to help us enter our dormant state properly without encouraging new, frost-tender growth.
We communicate our needs to you through our foliage. It is your job to learn our language. When we are under-watered, our leaves will be the first to tell you. They will begin to wilt, becoming limp and lifeless. Initially, this is a temporary wilt on a hot day, and we will recover in the evening. But if the thirst persists, the wilt becomes permanent, and the leaves will start to crisp at the edges, turning brown and dry. Conversely, if you are overwatering us, our leaves will also wilt, but they will often turn a sickly yellow color first, feeling soft and mushy rather than dry and crispy. Pay close attention to these signals—they are our direct plea for help.
The best way to water us is deeply and infrequently, rather than with daily, light sprinklings. A deep, thorough soaking encourages our roots to grow downward, creating a stronger, more drought-resilient plant. Aim to provide about one inch of water per week, including rainfall. The perfect time for this drink is in the early morning. This allows any moisture that splashes on our leaves to evaporate quickly in the morning sun, discouraging the fungal diseases we are somewhat prone to, like powdery mildew. Watering us at our base is always preferred to overhead watering, as it delivers the moisture directly to our roots where we need it most.
