My aunt told me to stop watering my fiddle leaf fig so much, and I finally listened.

For months, I was giving it a good drink every single week, just like the tag said when I bought it. The leaves kept getting these ugly brown spots and dropping off, and I was sure it was going to die. My aunt, who has kept plants alive for decades, came over last fall and told me to put my finger in the dirt and only water it when the top two inches were bone dry. I was skeptical, but I tried it. It turned out I was only watering it every three weeks or so. After about two months of this new routine, it pushed out three brand new, perfect leaves with no spots at all. I feel a bit silly for not trying it sooner, but also really happy the plant is finally thriving. Has anyone else had a plant totally turn around from one simple change like that?

3 comments

3 Comments

the_val1mo ago

Totally thought more water was always better. Your aunt's advice proves that wrong.

verafoster1mo ago

Honestly @the_val, what did your aunt say that changed your mind? I used to force myself to drink a gallon a day and just felt awful. Tbh it makes you wonder where that "more is better" rule even came from. Ngl, I'm starting to think a lot of basic health advice is just plain wrong for some people.

gibson.mark1mo ago

Yeah, that "more is better" rule probably came from people selling water bottles or something. It's wild how we just accept these things without asking who benefits.