Question
    How do I know how much and how often to water this plant?  I don't know if I'm under-watering it or over-watering it!!

Answer
Hi Jerry,

There is no simple schedule for watering any plant. Each plant has to be treated individually.

In general, a Wandering Jew should be watered as soon as the surface of the soil feels dry to the touch. When you water, you should add enough so that some water trickles through the bottom drainage holes of the pot.

In direct sunlight and in warm temperatures and low humidity, your plant will dry out much sooner than in the opposite conditions. That is why I cannot tell just how often yours will need water.

In addition, small pots dry out sooner than large pots.

If you moved your plant into a larger pot and added a lot of soil, then it might be better to wait until the top half inch to inch of soil dries out before watering.

Here is the bottom line: plant roots need both water and oxygen. It is only as the soil dries out from the top, that oxygen gets back into the root zone. So the key to proper watering is allowing the soil to become properly dried out in between thorough waterings.

Please let me know if any of this is unclear or if you have any additional questions. If you would like to e-mail me some photos, I may be able to provide some additional insights.

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Regards,
Will Creed, Interior Landscaper
Horticultural Help, NYC

You can E-mail me directly at: [email protected]