Is Your Potting Soil Too Dry?

Many types of plants prefer the top few inches of soil to dry out before they receive water again. Soil in pots tends to dry out faster than in-ground beds, especially unglazed terracotta and clay pots.

If potting mix is left to dry for too long, it can dry all the way through and become “hydrophobic,” completely repelling water. This will cause the water to quickly flow through without being absorbed by the soil at all. Two ways to tell that the potting mix has lost too much water is when the pot is much lighter than usual and if there is a noticeable gap between the soil and the pot’s walls.

Rehydrating potting mix takes a gentle touch. Any top water should be poured slowly, then add a tray of fresh water under the pot. This will allow water to slowly absorb up through the drainage hole into the pot over a few days. Once the soil is rehydrated, you can water normally again.

Check out the Leaf Tip YouTube Short below to see this process in action.