Overwatering can lead to damage, create conditions for pests, and even kill your houseplants.
Here are five common signs you’re overwatering your houseplants to watch out.
Wilting or Yellowing Leaves
Yellowing leavesare one of the most common signs you’re overwatering a houseplant.
Anna Sadovskaia / Getty
(Underwatering can also cause yellow, wilted leavescheck the soil moisture to determine the cause.)
Allow an overly soggy plant to dry out before watering again.
And always empty cache pots and drip trays after watering.
Check the soil moisture and consider how much youve been watering.
Plan to water your collection less often when the weather cools and days shorten.
However, moldy soil can be a symptom of overly wet conditions sparked by too much water.
It can also create the ideal conditions for pests, like fungus gnats.
Outdoors, they’re a sign of healthy soil with lots of rich organic matter.
Indoors fungus gnats can infest your entire houseplant collection.
They’re harmless but annoying for humans, but a severe infestation can damage or kill your plants.
Rotten roots are black, soft, and slimy rather than firm and white.
Examine your plant’s roots to check for signs of root rot.
Use a sterilized tool to cut away the rotten portions of the root ball.
How to Rescue Your Plant If You’ve Overwatered It
First, stop watering the plant.
Check its container for drainage, and consider repotting in fresh soil.
Wait until the surface of the soil has dried out before watering again.
see to it conditions like light levels, temperature, pot material, and soil throw in are right.
Adjust your watering schedule based on the plant’s soil moisture rather than sticking to a set schedule.
Overwatered Indoor Plants.University of Maryland Extension.
Houseplant Problems.University of California Statewide Integrated Pest Management Program.
