As a Jade Plant (Crassula ovata), my relationship with water is fundamentally different from that of most other houseplants. My thick, fleshy leaves and stems are not just for show; they are my personal water reservoirs, evolved over millennia to survive arid, rocky environments in South Africa. This means I am built to endure periods of drought far better than I can tolerate constant moisture. The single greatest threat to my health is not underwatering, but overwatering. When my roots sit in soggy soil, they cannot breathe and will quickly rot, a condition that is often fatal and difficult to reverse. Therefore, your watering strategy should not be based on a fixed calendar schedule but on a careful reading of my condition and environment.
The most reliable method to determine my thirst is to physically check the moisture level of my soil. You must insert your finger or a wooden skewer about two inches deep into the potting mix. If the soil at that depth feels completely dry and the skewer comes out clean, it is the perfect time for a thorough watering. If you detect any dampness or coolness, you must wait. I would much prefer to be slightly underwatered than given water I do not need. When you do water, do so deeply and thoroughly until you see water escaping freely from the drainage holes at the bottom of my pot. This ensures my entire root system receives moisture and helps flush out any excess mineral salts.
My rate of water use is not constant; it fluctuates significantly with the seasons and my home environment. During the spring and summer, which are my active growing seasons, I am metabolizing more energy from the sun and putting out new growth. This increased activity means I will use the water in my reserves more quickly and will require more frequent watering, perhaps every 2-3 weeks, depending on conditions. Conversely, in the fall and winter, I enter a period of dormancy. My growth slows dramatically, and my water needs plummet. During these cooler, darker months, you may only need to water me once every 4-6 weeks, or even longer. Other factors like the amount of sunlight I receive, the ambient temperature and humidity of the room, and the type of pot I am in (porous terracotta dries out faster than plastic or ceramic) all play a critical role in how quickly my soil dries out.
Beyond the soil test, my leaves provide excellent visual cues to my hydration status. When I am perfectly content, my leaves are firm, plump, and a vibrant green. If I am being severely underwatered for an extended period, my leaves may begin to look wrinkled, shriveled, or thin. They may also feel soft and limp. However, please be very cautious in interpreting this sign, as soft leaves can also be a symptom of overwatering and root rot. The key difference is that an underwatered plant will have dry soil and wrinkled leaves, while an overwatered plant will have wet soil and often mushy, dropping leaves that may turn yellow or black.
