Identify what you are growing
Keep the species name or a photograph of its label. Some plants need the growing medium to lose more moisture between waterings than others. Watering every pot on Sunday simplifies your diary, but ignores those differences as well as the containers' different sizes.
Light, temperature and ventilation also affect how quickly a pot dries. Two examples of the same plant may need different checks when one stands near a sunny window and the other occupies a cool corner. Use a calendar as a reminder to inspect, rather than a replacement for observation.
Check beyond the surface colour
Carefully feel the upper growing medium where you can do so without damaging roots. The useful depth of this check depends on the species and container; no single number of centimetres suits every plant. With small pots, learning their weight can also help you recognise when water has been lost.
A pale surface does not guarantee a dry interior. For larger containers or unfamiliar mixes, combine observation with appropriate growing guidance. Simple moisture meters can give misleading readings depending on the medium, so avoid treating the display as a diagnosis separate from everything else you notice.
When water is needed, allow drainage
Water the growing medium in a controlled way, avoiding unnecessary splashes onto furniture and leaves. Let excess escape through the drainage holes, then inspect the saucer or outer container. An ordinary nursery pot should not acquire an accidental reservoir around its base.
If water runs straight through an extremely dry mix, check how to rehydrate that particular medium. A few drops emerging underneath do not always prove the root ball has absorbed enough. Equally, do not repeatedly add water to a pot that remains wet inside simply because the plant looks unhappy.
Consider the whole plant
Drooping foliage can have several causes, including root problems associated with excess water. Look at moisture, smell, growth and conditions before responding with another watering. If deterioration continues, seek help using the plant's name and photographs showing its overall condition and pot.
