Spike Says, “Not Yet!” Welcome back to ''Thee Littlest Plant Shoppe Adventures", where every little plant has a story and every plant has its own needs.
Episode 2: Spike Says, “Not Yet!”
Welcome back to Thee Littlest Plant Shoppe Adventures, where every little plant has a story and every plant has its own needs.
In Episode 2, Sprout is ready to help with watering around the shoppe when he reaches for Spike the Cactus.
But Spike has something very important to say:
“Not yet!”
Sprout is surprised. Doesn’t every plant need water?
Miss Tania comes over to help and shows Sprout exactly what to do before watering a plant: check the soil first.
After carefully feeling the soil near Spike, Miss Tania discovers that it is still a little damp.
Spike doesn’t need another drink just yet.
And while Spike is perfectly happy waiting, Milo the Snail has another idea...
“I’ll take the water!”
What Spike Teaches Us About Watering
One of the most important things to remember when caring for plants is that every plant is different.
Some plants enjoy soil that stays slightly moist, while others like many cacti prefer their soil to dry before they are watered again.
That means watering all of your plants on the same day or following the exact same schedule may not always be the best choice.
Instead:
Check the plant. Check the soil. Then decide if it is time to water.
Check Before You Water
Before reaching for your watering can, gently feel the soil.
If the soil still feels damp, your plant may not need another drink yet.
If it feels appropriately dry for that particular type of plant, it may be time to water.
This simple habit can help young plant lovers understand that caring for plants is about paying attention to what the plant needs, rather than simply following a calendar.
A Little Cactus Lesson
Cacti are designed to store water and can usually tolerate much drier conditions than many tropical houseplants.
Giving a cactus more water simply because other plants are being watered can leave its soil wet for too long.
Instead, allow cactus soil to dry appropriately before watering again.
Spike's favorite lesson?
Sometimes good plant care means knowing when NOT to water.
Look for Your Plant’s Clues
The soil is only one part of the story.
Get into the habit of checking your plant regularly.
Notice:
How the leaves normally look and feel
Whether the soil is wet, damp, or dry
How quickly the soil dries between waterings
Where the plant is growing
Whether anything has changed since you last checked it
The more familiar you become with your plants, the easier it becomes to recognize what they need.
The Calendar Doesn't Decide, Your Plant Does
It can be helpful to remember when you last watered a plant, but a watering schedule should be a reminder to check, not an automatic signal to water.
Temperature, sunlight, humidity, pot size, soil, season, and the type of plant can all affect how quickly moisture is used.
So instead of saying:
“It’s watering day!”
Try saying:
“It’s plant-checking day!”
Then let your plant and its soil help you decide what comes next.
Watch Episode 2
Join Sprout, Spike, Miss Tania, and Milo for another little adventure inside Thee Littlest Plant Shoppe.
Watch “Spike Says, ‘Not Yet!’”
Young plant lovers will discover why some plants need more time between drinks—and why checking the soil before watering is one of the easiest ways to become a better plant parent.
Today’s Little Plant Lesson
Episode 1 taught us:
Check first. Water second.
Episode 2 adds one more important lesson:
Not every plant needs water at the same time.
Sometimes the best thing you can give your plant is a drink.
And sometimes...
the best thing you can do is wait.
Thee Littlest Plant Shoppe Adventures Every little plant has a story.
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