Thought I was treating my ferns right but I was basically drowning them for 2 years

I used to water my Boston fern every single day because the soil felt dry on top. Then my friend at the plant swap in Raleigh told me to actually stick my finger down to the second knuckle before watering. I did it and the bottom was soggy wet even though the top was dry. I lost 3 ferns before I figured out I was rotting the roots from overwatering. Has anyone else had a moment where you realized you were doing the complete opposite of what the plant needed?

3 comments

3 Comments

jordan_young1mo ago

Sticking my finger down to the second knuckle saved my snake plant too. I used to water it every Sunday no matter what and it started getting mushy leaves. Now I wait until the soil feels bone dry all the way down, which sometimes means I only water it every three or four weeks. That little trick with the finger test made a bigger difference than any fancy fertilizer I ever bought.

loganl221mo ago

Man, I was the exact opposite for a long time. I used to think snake plants were basically impossible to kill so you could just water them whenever and they'd be fine. Then mine started looking sad and droopy and I couldn't figure out why for months. That finger test method really does work way better than any schedule. Now I just wait until the dirt feels completely dry and the pot feels light before I even think about watering.

paige42728d ago

That finger test method really is a game changer. I think a lot of us have been there with the overwatering. It is so easy to think you are helping a plant by giving it a drink on a regular schedule. But they really do prefer to be neglected a little bit. I am glad you figured it out before it was too late for your snake plant.