![]() If you water on a schedule based on warm temperatures, you can easily overdo it in cooler weather. Water evaporates more quickly in warmer conditions and vice versa. The important difference is in their ideal soil composition and how dry the mix should get between sessions.įor example, a cactus’ soil should be as deeply soaked when watered as a thirsty fern the difference is that a succulent’s soil should very drain quickly and be allowed to become much drier between rewettings. Incidentally, the difference between plants is usually not in how they are watered: saturating the soil is usually correct. Each plant should be individually monitored. If you put all your houseplants on the same watering schedule you’ll risk overwatering some of them. Plant Typeĭifferent species vary in how much water they need, so you have to learn the needs of your individual plants. You can also read my article about making houseplant soil for more info. Here are some excellent potting mixes for houseplants. Inert, non-decaying media like pumice, perlite, or coarse sand are essential additions if you don’t replace the soil often. Note that a well-draining mix with a lot of organic material can become compacted over time as the additives decompose. It’s not necessarily the quantity of water a plant receives it’s how long the soil stays excessively wet. This causes water to pool around the roots. The main contributor to overwatering is poor drainage. The rule is to always check the soil before rewatering. You can’t water by preset schedule, either. Plants have individual water needs: what makes your Peace Lily happy will drown a succulent. ![]() It can easily happen when caring for a group of houseplants together. Overwatering is not just a beginner’s mistake. It can take experience to realize that too much water is worse than too little and that it’s not the solution to every plant malady. This is the most obvious reason for overwatering. Understanding the reasons for overwatering helps you take steps to prevent it. It’s much better to prevent overwatering than have to fix an overwatered plant in the first place. The presence of powdery mildew, soil gnats, or other moisture-loving pests.Fungus or mold growing on leaves, soil, and stems.This looks like blisters and is caused by excess water in plant cells. ![]() The dropping of both old and new leaves.The foliage of an underwatered plant becomes dry and crispy. This is a common sign of underwatering, but plants that have their nutrient flow shut down by overwatering can wilt, too. Always make sure the soil has properly dried before rewatering.īesides soggy soil, here are symptoms of an overwatered plant: One more false move with your watering can could spell disaster.Ĭheck the soil and review the plant’s recent watering schedule. Short-term soaking (5-10 minutes) doesn’t harm the plant as long as the soil is immediately and thoroughly drained.Ĭheck whether your plant needs water before lifting the watering can How To Tell If Your Plant Is Overwatered?Īn overwatered plant can look like an underwatered one, and it’s very important to know the difference. Overwatering Sets Up Infectionīy blocking oxygen from the root zone, overwatering creates an anaerobic environment in which disease pathogens grow and thrive.Ĭorrect watering in well-draining soil leaves the mix damp enough for plants to obtain moisture and nutrients while providing sufficient aeration for the root system to breathe. A flooded mix drowns the roots and suffocates the plant. One of the primary root functions is gas exchange: they need to draw oxygen from their soil. Overwatering is harmful to a plant in two ways: Overwatering Drowns The Roots Watering is how beginners show their love, and it’s wrong? The contradiction is confusing until you understand what’s going on. Some specimens will shrug off desert conditions, poor soil, low light, and trampled neglect only to call it quits after an overdose of water. Overwatering is the number one cause of death for container plants. Provide increased ventilation and temperatures, and lower humidity.Consider changing the pot and soil to promote better drainage and faster soil drying.Identify and treat root rot immediately.Stop watering your plant temporarily and improve drainage.It’s important to know the signs of overwatering, how to prevent it, and how to fix an overwatered plant if it happens. It may even call forth the deadly disease of root rot. Unfortunately, overwatering is one that can cause yellow leaves, stunting and other plant problems.
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