Care guide · editorial review pending

How to check moisture in a pot

Feel the potting mix below the top layer before deciding whether to water. A dry surface alone does not tell you what roots are experiencing.

Check below the surface

Use a clean finger or suitable probe to check the mix below the top layer, taking care not to damage roots. Compare what you feel with the plant's needs and the pot's drainage. If you are uncertain, log “unknown” and check again rather than guessing from a date.

Look at the container too

Water must be able to leave the pot. If the soil feels very wet or the container has no drainage, inspect the setup before adding more water. A sheltered pot may not receive much rain, even when nearby ground is wet.

Keep the observation useful

Record when you checked and whether the mix was dry, slightly moist, moist, or very wet. Conditions can change quickly, so an old observation is a reminder to inspect again.

Foundation: Royal Horticultural Society, How to water containers. This draft has not had a named horticultural editor review.