Stop right there! These 12 plants die faster the more you water them!

Graptopetalum paraguayense

Graptopetalum paraguayense, also called "windmill grass," is a succulent in the Crassulaceae family. It is extremely adaptable, not strict about its environment, and drought-tolerant, surviving without water for ten days to half a month.

Care tips:

① Graptopetalum paraguayense loves light. In this season it can be placed on a balcony for full sun, but when summer temperatures exceed 30°C, be sure to provide shade.

② Graptopetalum paraguayense hates waterlogging; standing water in the pot easily causes root rot, so make sure the soil is dry before watering, generally about once every 15 days.

Snake plant

Many gardeners fail to keep snake plants alive because they water too much, causing rotting leaves and roots. In fact, snake plants are quite drought-tolerant.

Care tips:

① In summer, watering about once every 2 weeks is enough. In winter, you can skip watering the snake plant entirely to prevent cold damage. Overwatering easily triggers pests and diseases, and the leaves will develop yellow spots or even rot.

② For snake plants, it is best to use loose, breathable, well-draining sandy soil. For example, mix garden soil and river sand at 1:1.

Jade plant

The jade plant also belongs to the Crassulaceae family. Some gardeners like to call it "thick skin." Its branches and leaves are plump, and it does not need much water.

Care tips:

① The jade plant's leaves and stems have strong water-storage capacity, so one watering can last many days. It is very drought-tolerant. In this season, watering once every 15 to 20 days is enough.

② To grow jade plants, use nutrient-rich, loose, breathable sandy soil. For example, mix leaf mold and river sand at 1:1.

Money tree

The money tree is a common foliage plant kept at home. It has very thick stems, which gives it good water-retention properties.

Care tips:

① The money tree is fairly drought-tolerant. Generally, water once a week. In summer, when temperatures are high and the soil dries quickly, you may need to water once every 3 to 4 days. Reduce watering in winter.

② Also, the size of the plant determines how much water is needed; a larger money tree naturally needs more water. The important principle is: water once the soil has dried out completely. You can dig 2 to 3 cm into the pot's soil to judge whether it is dry or moist.

Living stones

Living stones, also called stone plants or butt plants, are small perennial succulents. They like dry, sunny environments.

Care tips:

① Living stones are drought-tolerant. Their suitable growing temperature is 10 to 30°C, and watering about once every 15 days is enough. Autumn is their flowering season, and spring, from February to April, is their molting period, when watering should be reduced even more.

② Living stones are short plants, so be sure there is no standing water on the soil surface, otherwise they rot very easily. Normally, just place them on a south-facing balcony.

Kalanchoe

Kalanchoe is a very easy plant to grow. It loves light, is drought-tolerant, and has a long flowering period.

Care tips:

① Kalanchoe's leaves are plump, which helps store water. Generally, watering once a week is enough.

② The watering principle for kalanchoe is also "don't water if not dry." Rather let it be a bit dry than keep giving in to the urge to water it. Once water accumulates, root rot comes easily, so gardeners must control their hands.

Air plant

Air plants, also called air grass or tillandsia, are close relatives of the pineapple. They absorb water not through their roots but through their leaves.

Care tips:

① Air plants do not need watering; just mist them occasionally. The fine hairs and scale-like tissues on the leaves have a very strong ability to absorb water.

② Some air plant varieties have no roots, and even if they do, the roots do not function to absorb nutrients. A home in the humid south can keep a pot of these; they are practically water-absorbing wonders!

Cactus

Cacti originate from hot, dry, low-rainfall desert regions. They can absorb ultraviolet rays and trap dust, making them excellent air purifiers.

Care tips:

① Cacti are drought-tolerant and do not need much water. The watering principle is "don't water if not dry, and water thoroughly when you do." Water less in summer and not at all in winter.

② The soil for cacti must be permeable and breathable. You can mix peat soil and river sand at 1:1. Placing some tile shards or clay pebbles at the bottom of the pot can improve drainage and aeration.

String of coins

String of coins, native to South Africa, is also a succulent. It grows very fast, saves water, and is easy to grow.

Care tips:

① String of coins likes sunny, dry environments, tolerates partial shade, fears waterlogging, and hates stuffy, humid conditions. In the current season, watering about once every 2 weeks is enough.

② In summer, when temperatures are high, string of coins grows slowly or stops completely. Place it in a ventilated spot for care, provide shade, and do not let it be rained on for long periods, to prevent the plant from rotting.

ZZ plant

The ZZ plant is also fairly drought-tolerant, mainly because its roots are tuberous and have a very strong water-retention capacity. One watering can sustain a long period of water supply, so it does not need frequent watering.

Care tips:

① The ZZ plant can be watered once a month. The soil must be loose and breathable, otherwise water accumulates easily.

② Also avoid strong direct light. You can place it somewhere at home with scattered light and good ventilation.

Aloe

It is well known that aloe is drought-tolerant. It does not need much water, and its fleshy leaves and roots have a strong water-storage capacity.

Care tips:

① Note that drought tolerance does not mean you can go without watering forever. Long-term water shortage can also cause wilting. Watering once a week keeps aloe vigorous for a long time.

② If you want the leaves to be plumper and greener, you can apply a 0.1% concentration potassium dihydrogen phosphate solution monthly.

Desert rose

Desert rose, also called Adenium, likes dry, high-temperature, sunny environments. It fears the cold, and its suitable growing temperature is 25 to 30°C.

Care tips:

① The desert rose's stem is quite large, giving it exceptional water-retention capacity, so it does not need frequent watering. Generally, watering once every 15 to 20 days is enough.

② For desert roses, it is best to use nutrient-rich, well-draining, loose, breathable sandy soil. You can mix leaf mold and river sand at 1:1, and add a little bone meal as a base fertilizer to provide sufficient nutrients.

If you no longer want to be troubled by the question of whether to water,

then try these 12 plants!

Always remember: a dry plant is not scary, but standing water is the most terrifying thing of all!