Overwatering is one of the most common indoor plant-care problems.
It usually doesn’t happen because you give a plant too much water on one occasion. More often, it happens because the soil stays wet for too long, or the plant is watered again before it has had time to dry appropriately.
Different plants have different needs, but constantly wet soil can reduce the amount of oxygen available around the roots and may eventually lead to root damage.
Here are some signs to watch for.
The Soil Stays Wet for a Long Time
Check the soil before watering rather than automatically watering on the same day every week.
If the soil still feels wet or heavy several days after watering, wait before adding more water.
How quickly soil dries will depend on the plant, pot size, potting mix, season, temperature and available natural light.
Plants often use water more slowly during cooler months or in lower-light positions.
Yellow Leaves
Yellow leaves can be caused by several things, but they are a common sign of excess moisture, particularly when several leaves turn yellow at once.
If the soil is wet and the plant is developing yellow leaves, allow the soil time to dry and review how often you are watering.
One older yellow leaf on an otherwise healthy plant may simply be natural ageing.
Soft or Mushy Stems
Soft, dark or mushy stems can indicate a more serious moisture problem.
Check the base of the plant and the condition of the soil.
If the plant smells unpleasant or the roots appear brown, soft and damaged, root rot may have developed.
Healthy roots are generally firm and often pale or light in colour, although their appearance varies between plant species.
Fungus Gnats
Tiny dark flies hovering around the soil may be fungus gnats.
Adult fungus gnats are mostly a nuisance, but their presence can be a sign that the top layer of potting mix is remaining damp.
Allowing the soil to dry appropriately between waterings may help make the environment less suitable for them.
Water Collecting Inside the Decorative Pot
Many indoor plants are sold in plastic nursery pots placed inside decorative cover pots.
This can work very well, but excess water should not be left sitting around the nursery pot.
After watering, allow the plant to drain thoroughly and empty any water collected inside the decorative pot or saucer.
Leaving roots sitting in water can increase the risk of damage.
What Should I Do if I Think I Have Overwatered?
First, stop watering and allow the soil to begin drying.
Move the plant to a position with suitable natural light, but avoid suddenly placing a shade-loving plant in harsh direct sun.
Check that water can drain freely from the pot and empty any water sitting inside a cover pot or saucer.
If the soil remains saturated, smells unpleasant or the plant has soft stems and damaged roots, it may need to be removed from the pot and checked.
Trim away badly damaged roots with clean tools and repot the plant into fresh, suitable potting mix if needed.
Water According to the Plant, not the Calendar
There is no single watering schedule that suits every indoor plant.
A small plant in a warm, bright room may dry more quickly than a large plant in a cool, lower-light office.
Before watering, check the soil and learn how your individual plant responds to its position.
Sometimes the kindest thing you can do for your indoor plant is put down the watering can and give the soil a little more time. :)
Love,
Lara & Plants For Friends 🌱