From my perspective, your human concept of a fixed schedule—like "every Sunday"—is a foreign and often dangerous notion. My watering needs are a dance with the environment, not a metronome's tick. The single most important factor is the moisture level of my soil. I prefer a cycle of thorough hydration followed by a period of drought. The best way to understand this is to check the soil 2-3 inches down with your finger. If it feels dry, I am ready for a drink. If it still feels cool and moist, I am content. This simple act of checking is the most direct communication we can have about my needs.
Many factors in my environment directly influence how quickly I use the water you give me. Light is my energy source; the more bright, indirect sunlight I receive, the more I photosynthesize and the thirstier I become. Conversely, in a low-light spot, my growth slows and my water consumption drops significantly. Temperature and humidity also play crucial roles. A warm, dry room will cause moisture to evaporate from my soil and leaves much faster than a cool, humid one. Even the season dictates my thirst; I am actively drinking and growing in the spring and summer, while in the autumn and winter, I enter a restful dormancy and require far less water.
When my soil tells you I am dry, please water me thoroughly and deeply. This means slowly pouring water around the base of my stem until you see it begin to flow freely out of the drainage holes at the bottom of my pot. This process ensures that my entire root system has access to moisture. It is infinitely better for me than a small, frequent sprinkling, which only wets the top layer of soil and encourages my roots to grow shallowly, making me less resilient. Always allow me to fully drain afterward; I absolutely despise sitting in a saucer of water, as it suffocates my roots and invites rot.
I communicate my discomfort through my foliage. If I am underwatered, my large, beautiful leaves will become limp, droopy, and may even develop crispy brown edges. They will feel thin and papery. This is my plea for hydration. On the other hand, the symptoms of overwatering can be more sinister and damaging. Yellowing leaves, particularly the older ones towards my base, are a classic sign. If my soil is consistently soggy and my stems feel soft and mushy, you are loving me too much with water. Root rot sets in quickly, and if not addressed, it can be fatal. When in doubt, it is always safer to err on the side of underwatering.
