Plant Watering Calculator

It depends on the plant type, pot size, season, and light. Most tropical houseplants need watering every 7–10 days in summer, succulents every 14–21 days, herbs every 3–5 days, and ferns every 3–4 days. Use the Calculator tab to get a personalized recommendation.

Common signs include yellowing lower leaves, soggy soil that stays wet more than 10 days, mushy or brown stems at the base, fungus gnats in the soil, and a foul smell from the pot. Overwatering causes root rot, which is the leading cause of houseplant death.

Signs of underwatering include dry, crispy leaf edges, drooping or wilting despite cool temperatures, soil pulling away from the sides of the pot, and very slow or stalled growth. Most plants recover quickly after a thorough watering if caught early.

Morning is best — foliage has time to dry before evening, reducing the risk of fungal disease. Avoid watering during the hottest part of the afternoon, as water evaporates quickly and can stress the plant. Evening watering is fine for indoor plants in controlled conditions.

A rough guide is pot diameter (inches) squared × 0.1 oz per session. For a 6-inch pot that's about 3.6 oz (0.45 cups). Water thoroughly until liquid drains from the bottom, then discard the drained water to prevent root rot. The Water Volume stat on the Calculator tab shows your personalized amount.