Watering

How much, how often, and how to tell when it's thirsty.

The rule

Most plants die from too much water, not too little. Water when the top two inches of soil are dry, not on a fixed calendar.

How to check

stick a finger in — dry to the knuckle? water.
pot feels light? water.
leaves soft + droopy? water now.
soil still damp? wait.

Signs you overdid it

Yellow leaves, a sour smell, or fungus gnats all point to too much. Let it dry out and cut back.