The short answer
For routine watering of an ordinary draining pot, check the growing mix before adding water rather than using a fixed timetable. Light rain may not wet the whole pot. Initial planting, severely dried-out mix and reservoir containers need their own instructions.
See the sourceIn this guide
Check your situation
Check below the surface
The RHS advises checking moisture about one-third of the way down the container. If it is dry there, water is needed. Take extra care not to disturb roots when checking.
Diagrams explain the text; they are not to scale.
What to do now
For a pot that feels dry at the checked depth:
Check each container separately before watering.
If dry: water slowly
Apply water slowly to the growing mix.
Watch the drainage holes
For routine watering, use the RHS stop point: stop just before, or as soon as, water appears at the drainage holes.
Diagrams explain the text; they are not to scale.
What not to do
- Do not rely on a rigid daily schedule or repeated tiny splashes.
Do you need to buy anything?
Start with the moisture check described above. You do not need to buy a gadget to perform this check.
Keep going
Sources behind this page
- RHS: How to water containersUnited Kingdom. Individual plants, weather and growing mix affect watering.Source checked 7 October 2026
- University of Maryland Extension: Growing Vegetables in Containers and Salad TablesMaryland, United States. Container vegetables and herbs; match the mature crop and local climate.Source checked 7 October 2026
We summarise published guidance. We have not independently tested these methods or the products discussed.
AI-assisted editorial check: 7 October 2026. This is a source and clarity check, not a review by a horticultural expert.