From my perspective as a hollyhock, water is the very essence of my life, and my relationship with it begins deep underground with my root system. I am not a plant with a deep, singular taproot that seeks out hidden water tables. Instead, I have a fibrous, relatively shallow root system that spreads out near the soil surface. This means I am highly dependent on the moisture available in the top few inches of soil. When you water me deeply and thoroughly, you encourage my roots to grow downwards and outwards, creating a strong, stable anchor and a more extensive network to absorb nutrients and water. This makes me far more resilient during periods of heat. Conversely, if you only give me frequent, light sprinklings, my roots will stay lazy and shallow, making me vulnerable to drying out quickly and toppling over in a strong wind.
My biggest request is for consistency. I crave soil that is like a perfectly wrung-out sponge – moist but never soggy. The condition I fear most is "wet feet," where my roots are sitting in constantly waterlogged soil. This environment suffocates my roots, cutting off their supply of oxygen and creating the perfect conditions for root rot, a fatal disease from which I cannot recover. On the other hand, if the soil becomes bone dry, I will become stressed. My large, broad leaves will begin to wilt and droop pathetically, my flower buds may drop before opening, and the vibrant green of my foliage will fade. Chronic underwatering will leave me stunted, weak, and susceptible to pests like spider mites, who are attracted to stressed plants.
I cannot give you a simple schedule like "every Tuesday" because my thirst fluctuates with our shared environment. You must become a detective for me. The best way to check on my needs is to stick your finger about two inches into the soil near my base. If it feels dry at that depth, it's time for a long, deep drink. If it still feels cool and moist, I am content for now. Here’s what influences my drinking habits: During the cool days of spring and fall, I may only need a deep watering once a week. But when the summer sun is blazing, I will likely need water two to three times per week, especially if I am planted in a container, which dries out much faster. A thick layer of mulch, like wood chips or straw, around my base is a tremendous gift. It keeps my roots cool and dramatically slows down evaporation from the soil, meaning you won't have to water as often.
How you water me is just as important as how often. I greatly dislike having my leaves and flowers constantly wet, especially in the evening. Moist foliage overnight is an open invitation for fungal diseases like rust, which manifests as ugly orange spots on my leaves and can severely weaken me. Therefore, please aim your water at the soil around my base, not over my head. Soaker hoses or drip irrigation systems are my favorite way to receive water, as they deliver moisture slowly and directly to my root zone with minimal waste and no splashing on my leaves. If you must use a sprinkler, please do so in the early morning so the sun can quickly dry my foliage. A deep, slow watering that penetrates 6-8 inches into the soil is far superior to a daily shallow spray, as it trains my roots to grow deep and strong.
