My basil kept dying until I stopped watering it every day

Used to water my indoor basil every morning like clockwork, then wondered why the leaves turned yellow and dropped off after 3 weeks. Switched to sticking my finger an inch into the soil and only watering when it's dry down there, now the plant has been alive for 4 months straight. Anyone else fall for the 'plants need daily water' trap before realizing it's way too much?

2 comments

2 Comments

jessica_dixon9d ago

Wait, how did you figure out the finger test thing? Honestly I was the same way with my succulents back when I first started keeping plants. I thought they needed water constantly because the soil looked dry on top, but it turns out they were drowning and rotting from the bottom up. Tbh now I just ignore them until the leaves start looking a little wrinkly, and they thrive on straight neglect.

betty_barnes9d ago

Oh yeah, @jessica_dixon, the finger test was a total accident. I killed three succulents before I realized I was basically waterboarding them. Now I wait until they look like they're about to file a formal complaint with the plant authorities. Honestly, I think my succulents have Stockholm syndrome from all the neglect. They probably sit there like 'oh no, she's come to water us again, everyone play dead.'