Signs of Overwatering in Houseplants: Learn to Spot the Signs
Just like underwatering, overwatering can damage or even kill your houseplant. Yes, it is possible to kill your houseplant with kindness! Fortunately, identifying overwatering signs can help you save your plant. We have addressed various signs of overwatering in houseplants that you can look out for. Some of these signs are quite obvious while others can be difficult to identify. Keep reading to learn more.
Signs of overwatering in houseplants
You are probably wondering how to tell if your houseplant has been overwatered. Your plant will let you know when it has had too much to drink. Here are some houseplant symptoms of overwatering.
Wilting leaves
An overwatered houseplant has limp droopy leaves. However, an underwatered houseplant also wilts. The key lies in telling the difference between the two. An underwatered houseplant has dry crispy leaves while an overwatered one has soft mushy leaves.
Yellow or brown leaves
The leaves of an overwatered houseplant begin to turn yellow or brown. If the leaves of your houseplant are turning yellow, you might have an overwatering problem. Sometimes, yellow or brown leaves might indicate underwatering.
To determine the problem, you can check your plant’s soil. If the soil is wet, overwatering is the issue. On the other hand, dry soil might indicate underwatering.
Plant dropping new and old leaves at the same time
Overwatered houseplants drop new and old leaves alike. If your houseplant is losing brown, yellow, and green leaves, you might have an overwatering problem. You can check your soil for moisture to identify the problem.
The base of the stem is mushy
Another sign of overwatering in houseplants is mushy stems. If the base of your plant’s stem appears mushy, you should stop watering your plant and address the problem. Mushy stems result from excessive moisture. When your plant takes in too much moisture, it starts to lose its rigidity and begins to rot.
Soil is wet
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The soil of an overwatered houseplant can be soggy. If you notice yellow limp leaves along with wet soil, you might be dealing with an overwatering problem. You can stick your finger into the soil to determine the moisture levels of your soil.
Less obvious signs that I am overwatering my houseplants
Some signs are not immediately obvious when it comes to overwatering. Such signs include:
The soil produces a foul odor
If your soil produces a foul odor, you might not tell what the problem is at first. However, the foul smell can indicate overwatering especially when accompanied by other signs like mushy stems, wet soil, or wilting foliage.
Fungus growing on the soil
Another less obvious sign that you might be overwatering your plant is fungus growing on the soil. At first, you might not tell what the issue is. When you notice mold growing on the soil, you should stop watering your plant
Fungus gnats on your plant
You might not give much thought to houseplant pests at first. However, if you notice fungus gnats hovering around your plant, you might have an overwatering problem. Fungus gnats are attracted to damp soil and you should take a closer look at your plant when you see these pests.
Rotting roots
It can be difficult to determine the health of your plant’s roots since they are buried under the soil. However, the roots of an overwatered plant will begin to rot. If you suspect that your plant is overwatered, you can gently lift it from the soil and examine its roots. If the roots are brown and mushy, you might have an overwatering problem.
How to fix an overwatered houseplant
Fortunately, if the damage from overwatering is not too severe, you can still save your plant. However, you need to act soon to prevent further damage. Learning how to dry out overwatered houseplants can help you salvage your houseplant. Below is how to revive overwatered houseplants.
Stop watering your houseplant
Take a break from watering your plant for a while. If the problem is mild, your plant should recover once the soil has died out. Placing your plant in a warm location might help it dry out more quickly. Only water your plant again when it has fully recovered.
Remove damaged roots and leaves
If your plant is severely overwatered, you need to do more to save it. Gently take your plant out of the soil and check for healthy roots. If any, you can save your plant by removing damaged leaves and roots.
Damaged roots are brown and mushy while dead leaves are yellow or brown. When trimming off damaged plant parts, use clean scissors or shears to prevent further diseases or damage.
Repot your plant in fresh soil
How to dry out an overwatered houseplant involves changing the soil. After removing all the damaged parts from your plant, repot it in fresh fast-draining soil. Ensure your container has enough drainage holes to prevent future overwatering problems. Once you repot your plant, avoid watering it until you notice new growth.
Place your plant in bright indirect sunlight
After repotting your plant, place it in a location that receives bright indirect sunlight to help it recover. Regularly rotate your plant to ensure uniform light absorption. Avoid direct sunlight that can further harm your plant.
How long does it take for an overwatered plant to heal?
How long an overwatered houseplant takes to recover depends on several factors. Some of these factors include the severity of damage, the level of care you provide, and indoor growing conditions. Most houseplants take 1-2 weeks to recover from overwatering with proper care and ideal growing conditions.
However, your houseplant might take longer to recover if it was too damaged. For instance, a plant with root rot might need more time to recover compared to one with mild damage like a few wilted leaves.
If you act fast, your plant might also recover quickly. Try to provide ideal conditions for your houseplant to recover quickly. Hold off on watering, place your plant in a location with bright lighting, and use well-draining soil to re-pot your plant.
How to prevent overwatering
After your houseplant recovers from overwatering, you might want to prevent such an issue in the future. here is how you do that.
Learn your plant’s watering needs
To prevent overwatering in the future, you should research your houseplants’ watering needs. Discover how much water each houseplant variety needs. Learn how often you should water your houseplants.
For instance, some houseplants like Cacti and succulents don’t require frequent watering. Some tropical houseplants, on the other hand, might require frequent watering.
Examine the soil
Always check the soil before watering your plant. Allow the soil to partially or completely dry out before watering your houseplants. Some houseplants can survive in dry conditions while others don’t tolerate completely dry conditions. Identifying the type of plant you have is the key to correctly watering it.
Water uniformly
When watering your plant, make sure the soil is lightly moist but not overly wet. Soggy soil leads to overwatering and root rot. Ensure excess water drains completely from the soil through the drainage holes. If you prefer watering your plant from below, don’t let your plant sit in water for too long.
Ensure your container has enough drainage holes
When potting your plant, ensure the container has enough drainage holes to get rid of excess water. A container without drainage holes leads to excess moisture which in turn causes root rot and eventual plant damage. Also, choose a container of the right size. When the container is too large, the risk of overwatering increases.
Water less during winter
During winter, most houseplants become dormant and don’t require too much water to survive. The soil also takes longer to dry out when the weather is chilly and cold. Cut back on watering in winter to prevent overwatering. Constantly check the soil for moisture before watering your plant. you can use a moisture meter or your finger to feel the soil.
There is a thin line between underwatering and overwatering your plant. If you are not careful, you might cross this line. An overwatered houseplant exhibits several signs such as yellow leaves, mushy stems, wet soil, dropping leaves, and more. If the damage is not too severe, you can still save your houseplant by drying it out and removing the damaged parts. Try to prevent future overwatering problems by learning your plant’s needs. If you require additional assistance, don’t hesitate to contact us today.