Plants purify the air and help us recharge. Indoor plants of all sizes need our care, attention, and water to grow well. Plant parents with low-maintenance plants can confirm that not all plants need constant attention. Some plant lovers become extra conscious about watering their plants and end up over-watering them. Plants can die of over-watering as it causes waterlogged roots that can suffocate the plant.

Tips To Avoid Overwatering

To save your plant from watering give your watering can a break and read these tips:

1. Prevent Overwatering

It is easier than you might think to avoid overwatering. The first thing to know is your plant. All plants have different watering habits. A snake plant requires much less water than a parlor palm. Make sure to follow the care instructions for your specific plant, and stick to that schedule of watering. 

One important tip is to use a pot with drainage holes. These holes allow excess water to leave so that your plant is not sitting in soggy soil. Without drainage, water tends to collect at the bottom of the pot, which might lead to root rot. So, always pick a pot that lets the extra water flow out.

2. Signs Of Overwatered Plants

Watch for these signs of overwatering to protect your plants:

  • If your plant is losing both old and new leaves simultaneously, it may be a sign of overwatering. The falling leaves could be green, yellow, or brown.
  • For example, if the stem seems soft to the touch, it is likely overwatered. The soil could also begin smelling rotten.
  • Brown spots or edges with a yellow halo on the leaves usually mean bacterial infection due to overwatering.
  • A fungus or mold on the soil surface indicates repeated overwatering.

3. How to Save an Overwatered Plant

Saving an overwatered plant is easier than it would seem. Mild cases may be addressed by stopping the water supply and allowing the soil to dry out completely. You can check with your finger or a chopstick inserted deep into the soil or by lifting the pot to sense its weight. A light plant will weigh much lighter. Once the soil dries, water the plant again, but do this sparingly to avoid future problems.

The plant will require repotting if the signs are drastic, so remove the plant from the soil gently and shake off the soil. Inspect the roots. Healthy roots are white or yellow, while black or mushy roots should be trimmed away. Use sharp, clean trimmers and disinfect them after each cut. If reusing the same pot, wash it thoroughly with soap and refill it with fresh soil. Replant the trimmed plant and water lightly until the excess drains out. With time and care, your plant can bounce back to full health!

How to Water Your Plants in the Future

After rescuing your plants from overwatering, it's important to make a better watering routine. In the future, let the soil be your guide. Always check the moisture level throughout the pot, not just the top layer. If the soil still feels damp, wait a few more days before checking it again. Once it feels dry, water the plant until the excess flows out of the bottom, and make sure to remove any standing water. Pothos and ZZ plants are resilient houseplants that prefer their soil to dry out between waterings, requiring water about every 1-2 weeks, depending on humidity and light conditions, to keep them healthy and thriving.

Additional Tips on Healthy Plants

To keep them thriving, remember that all species have different needs, so pay attention to how they grow and change accordingly. Check for pests and stress signs regularly and adjust your light conditions if necessary.

Finally, it would be best to make a plant care calendar so you do not forget watering, fertilizing, and repotting. With such planning and observation, you will be assured that your plants will grow well and create happiness in your space.

How to Buy Plants From Eureka Farms?

We are licensed for a full-scale nursery with an extensive inventory of landscaping trees, fruit trees, palm trees, and the largest houseplant collection. If you want to enhance your curb appeal or turn your porch into a class act, Eureka Farms can guide you on how to do it all, from topiary trees and hedges to everything in between. You can rest assured that we will handle the shipment with the utmost care across the country so that when your plants reach you, they will be as fresh as new. These indoor plants require less upkeep, improve home air cleanliness, brighten moods, and provide essential touches of the natural world to the work-from-home office. Happy Planting!