Water-related issue > Identify, Control & Disease Prevention Tips

Water-related issue

Most houseplants die because you don’t water them properly. Both underwatering and overwatering harm plants, but the latter is more sticky and difficult to treat. The symptoms can look a bit similar, but you can always distinguish one from the other.

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Signs of damage

Here are the main symptoms of underwatering:

Drooping leaves
Brown tips on many leaves
Slow growth
Wilting that gets better after watering
Dry soil
Yellowing leaves that turn brown

The main symptoms of overwatering are quite different:

Yellowing and mushy leaves. In case of overwatering, yellow leaves eventually turn mushy, while underwatered leaves turn brown and crispy.
Wilting leaves. This happens in both cases, so check whether the soil is dry a few inches deep in the pot. The roots might still be sitting in water even if the top layer is dry.
Root rot. Rotten roots look brown and mushy.
Bad smell from the soil

How to prevent

Each plant species needs a specific watering schedule and techniques. Some prefer a moist environment, while others thrive in drier conditions. You have to follow separate watering instructions for each of your plant friends. This also includes the choice of proper soil and drainage. There are two general tips: avoid too large pots and pots without drainage holes. You can also use moisture meters and water dispensers.

Heal

Underwatering is easier to treat. Unless the plant is completely dead, there is a good chance it will recover even if it dropped most of the leaves and looks very damaged. Just return to the proper watering schedule, and the plant should get better over time. Do not stress out the plant immediately with a large amount of water. Consider bottom-up watering. Simply place your green pet in a bucket or on a tray of water for several minutes to absorb the water. This way, the plant will get as much water as it needs.

Overwatering is more challenging. It might be difficult to save the plant if it is severely damaged. If you think your plant is overwatered, carefully remove it from the pot and check for signs of root rot. Disinfect the cutting tools and trim all the rotten roots alongside leaves and other parts of the plant. No rotten fragments must be left on the plant. Then, remove all soil from the roots and repot the plant in new well-draining soil. Hopefully, your greenie will recover afterward.

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