How to Know if Your Plant Is Over Watered
Watering houseplants poses more of a problem than many plant enthusiasts realize. Not only does the amount of water your plants need depend on the cultivars you grow, it also depends on the soil type, pot size, environmental conditions and the rate of growth of the plant. To compound the issue, an over-watered plant may initially exhibit the same symptoms -- such as wilting -- that an under-watered plant exhibits. Determining if your plant receives too much water takes some detective work. Does this Spark an idea?
Other People Are Reading
Instructions
-
-
1
Check the saucer beneath the plant for excess water. This may prevent your plant's soil from drying adequately. If the water in the saucer contacts the bottom of the soil it cannot dry out between waterings. Always empty the saucer after watering.
-
2
Insert you finger into the soil to a depth of 1 inch for small 6- to 8-inch plant pot or 2 inches for larger pots. If the soil remains wet for more than a few hours, you may have a problem with drainage. Your soil should feel slightly moist, but not soggy.
-
-
3
Remove the plant from the pot to check for water-logged soil in the bottom of the pot. Hold the pot with one hand while slipping the stalk of the plant between you index and middle finger on the other hand so your palm lies against the surface of the soil. Invert the pot and support the weight of your plant with you hand. Soggy soil at the bottom of the pot indicates over-watering or poor drainage. Repot the plant in fresh soil in a plant pot that provides good drainage.
-
4
Observe your plant for signs of over watering. These include leaf drop -- including new growth, wilting, dark mushy stems or failure to thrive. Mold on the surface of the soil or on the foliage indicates that the plant is receiving too much water.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
Check the recommended watering needs for your plant. Some plants prefer soil on the soggy side, while others prefer soil that remains slightly dry. The best indication is always the health of your plant. If the plant thrives and shows signs of vigorous growth, it is likely receiving the right amount of water.
Never assume that a wilting plant needs more water, as over-watered plants wilt too. When too much water chokes out oxygen to the roots, they cannot uptake either water or nutrients which results in severe wilting. Always check the soil conditions before watering a wilted plant.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit Hemera Technologies/Photos.com/Getty Images
