Watering 101: less really is more

Statistically, your plant did not die of thirst. It drowned. Overwatering is the leading cause of houseplant death by a wide margin, because soggy soil suffocates roots and invites rot.

The one rule that fixes most problems: water only when the soil is actually dry. Not "probably", not "it's Tuesday". Check. A finger in the soil to the first knuckle is the classic test; a moisture meter is the upgrade.

When you do water, water thoroughly. A splash on the surface encourages shallow, weak roots. Pour until water runs freely from the drainage hole, then let it drain completely — never leave a plant standing in a saucer of water.

Learn your plant's rhythm. A snake plant in winter may want water every three weeks; a calathea in summer may want it every few days. The calendar lies; the soil doesn't.

Water with room-temperature water, and water from the top. Bottom-watering has its fans, but top-watering is simpler and flushes away the salts that build up in potting mix.

When in doubt, wait a day. A slightly thirsty plant recovers overnight; a drowned one rarely does.