Just realized I’ve been overwatering my ficus for 2 years because of one convo

I was at a plant swap last weekend (you know, the kind where everyone brags about their monstera cuttings) and this older guy named Jerry just casually asked how often I water my ficus. I said twice a week like clockwork and he laughed. He told me to stick my finger in the soil first and only water when it’s dry past the first knuckle. I thought he was being a know-it-all, but I went home and checked and the roots were literally starting to rot. All this time I thought I was being a good plant parent but I was basically drowning it. Why do we assume more care equals better care? Has anyone else had a random stranger totally change how you care for a plant?

2 comments

2 Comments

janaw112d agoProlific Poster

That old school finger test thing actually works though? I used to think it was just some old timer superstition, but I finally tried it on a peace lily that was looking sad and the soil was basically soup underneath. I was drowning the damn thing for a year thinking more water meant more love. It's wild how we get stuck in a routine and never question if it's even right, especially when it comes from someone who sounds like they know what they're doing. I'm with you now on just checking the dirt first.

irishenderson2d ago

My friend Carol had this exact thing happen with her snake plant. She was watering it every Sunday without fail for about a year because that's what a blog said to do. Then her neighbor's teenage daughter came over and told her the leaves were puffing up, which is a sign of too much water. Carol cut back to once every few weeks and the plant actually started growing new shoots for the first time. It's funny how someone with no stake in your plant's life can give the best advice.