Okay, so, I’ve been growing these little plants called Haworthias for a while now, and let me tell you, figuring out how to water them correctly was a bit of a learning curve. These are not your regular thirsty houseplants, oh no. They’re succulents, which means they like things on the drier side. I remember when I first started, I was all like, “Plants need water, right?” So, I watered them like I did my other plants. Big mistake.
I quickly noticed some of the leaves turning, like, really soft and see-through. Almost like they were filled with water. Some of them even looked like they were about to burst. I was like, “Whoa, what’s going on here?” Turns out, I was totally overwatering them. Oops.
So, I did some digging around, asked some folks who know more about these things, and I learned a few key things. First off, these Haworthia plants, they don’t need a ton of water. They store water in their leaves, so they’re good for a while between drinks. The trick is to really let the soil dry out completely before watering them again.
I started doing this thing where I’d stick my finger into the soil, about an inch down. If it felt dry, then it was time to water. If it was still damp, I’d leave it alone. It’s kind of like checking if a cake is done with a toothpick, but for plants.
Another thing I figured out is that they need more water during the summer when it’s hot and they’re actively growing. But in the winter, they’re kind of like, “Nah, I’m good.” You only need to water them maybe once every other month during the colder months. It’s wild, right?
Here’s how I usually do it now:
- Check the soil: I use that finger trick to see if the soil is dry.
- Water thoroughly: When it’s time to water, I give them a good soak until water runs out the bottom of the pot.
- Let it drain: I make sure the pot has good drainage so they’re not sitting in water.
- Wait it out: Then, I wait until the soil is completely dry again before the next watering.
I also learned that it’s better to give them a good soak less often than to water them a little bit all the time. It’s like, they prefer a big gulp of water every now and then instead of constant sips.
Important Note
If I kept overwatering them, the plants might turn brown or black. And that is not a good sign.
Since I started watering them this way, my Haworthias have been doing so much better. They’re not mushy anymore, and they look really healthy and happy. It’s so rewarding to see them thrive, you know? It’s like, “Yes, I’m finally getting the hang of this!”
So, yeah, that’s my little journey with watering Haworthias. It’s all about paying attention, not overdoing it, and letting them tell you what they need. They’re pretty low-maintenance once you get the hang of it, which is great for someone like me who’s not always the best with plants. It’s all about finding that sweet spot, and once you do, it’s smooth sailing. Happy growing!
