--- title: "Hi friends! I have a question about using a terracotta pot versus…" description: "Hi friends! I have a question about using a terracotta pot versus plastic nursery pot. I know succulents/jades don’t like to be wet, so waterings are sparse.…" url: "https://getplanta.com/community/vOLjreBcQ-OpqrHIhVSc4w/Ly67X0qCz2zi2aaekNKxe2" community: "The Cactus & Succulent Circle" author: "Kirsten" published: "2025-03-22T12:04:52.989967Z" language: "en" image: "https://images.getplanta.com/v2/cloudinary/global_data/communities/theCactusAndSucculentCircle.jpg" --- [Community](https://getplanta.com/community.md) / [The Cactus \& Succulent Circle](https://getplanta.com/community/vOLjreBcQ-OpqrHIhVSc4w.md) # Hi friends! I have a question about using a terracotta pot versus… _Posted by Kirsten on 2025-03-22_ Hi friends! I have a question about using a terracotta pot versus plastic nursery pot. I know succulents/jades don’t like to be wet, so waterings are sparse. But for a terracotta pot, that absorbs water more quickly, right? Should succulents/jades in a terracotta pot be watered more frequently than a succulent/jade in a plastic nursery pot? Planta is still saying waterings should be 2-3 weeks apart. But I feel like my terracotta plants are drying out and should be watered more frequently. Fun fact: I’ve had a bad history of overwatering plants and killing them so I’ve been using Planta to improve my plant care. So I just want to make sure I’m doing what’s right for the plant as I learn my way through this crazy wonderful plant world lol Also, most of my succulents/jades are tiny, in 2 in pots, having been propagated and growing from a leaf, if that’s helpful at all. ## 9 comments ### Qixer commented on 2025-03-22 Yes, terracotta dries out much quicker than plastic due to its porous nature. If you know it needs water, tell Planta, it adjusts water needs. ### BigGrac commented on 2025-03-22 For jade plants when in doubt, don’t water it. I water when the leaves are a little more squishable/less plump than usual. And I usually let the leave get the teeniest bit wrinkly or looking thirsty until I give it a big drink. It’s the best way for me to only water when needed so I’m constantly snoozing planta’s notifs. I will also say that all my succulents are in terracotta pots and I ended up watering about every 3-4 weeks in the winter but I’m sure it’ll increase as it gets warmer ### DanishGramma commented on 2025-03-22 Terracotta pots are better in my opinion because they mimic the natural environment of a desert where rain is scarce and the ground dries out fast. Those cute chunky leaves are perfect for storing water to get them through until it rains again. I know when to water again based on the bottom leaves drying up and it’s important to let them do that but some just get soft leaves (like a jade) without losing any leaves. I have killed a ton of cacti and succulents in the past because I wasn’t patient and it’s hard at first to figure it out. But if you like to water then I would suggest getting a couple plants that love water to distract you from the succulents. I have found sundews and pitcher plants are a lot of fun to grow and they are native to bogs so I can’t overwater them 😁 ### Kirsten commented on 2025-03-22 Thanks everyone for the great ideas and advice! 😃 ### DanishGramma commented on 2025-03-22 These are from my jade leaves, I have them in 2” pots. I just love tiny plants!!! Lol ![Attachment 1 of 1](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/JhJVL2SxRSX1JVLqRmRpw1IVPbnimBSWR7NamxzVK_g/RJpbvlBLR62_ILxZ6eSmcg.webp?size=large) #### BigGrac replied on 2025-03-23 Out of curiosity, what medium do you have each of the jade in? #### Kirsten replied on 2025-03-23 They look great! #### Kirsten replied on 2025-03-23 They’re in succulent soil #### DanishGramma replied on 2025-03-24 I think the one in front is just peat and the other is bonsai mix. I like to experiment a bit and I have plenty of jade leaves to play with 😊 --- _Source: the Planta community (https://getplanta.com). Reading is open to everyone. To post, comment and like, get the Planta app: https://getplanta.com/download_