Is your plant wilted even though the soil is wet? Is your plant light green and struggling? Well your problem might be over-watering. Read this article for tips on diagnosing an over-watering problem and then fixing it.
Did you know that over-watering is usually considered the most common cause of early plant death? In general, we are deathly afraid of under-watering our plants and as a result many of us tend to over-water. I am just as guilty of this as anyone else, although I am getting better. The best thing you can do to keep your plant healthy is to water it correctly.
How do you know if your plant is drowning? First, have you been watering only when the surface of the soil is dry to the touch? If you haven’t, it is possible your plant is staying too wet. For more information on proper watering for plants in pots read “Water Your Way to Happy Plants.” Second, is your plant looking light green and generally unhappy? One possible reason for this is over-watering. While both of these foliage indicators are symptoms of over-watering, the most common way someone figures out their plant is drowning is that the plant has wilted even though the soil is wet.
Why is over-watering so detrimental to plant health? Healthy roots are the foundation for healthy plants. Have you ever noticed that after you transplant a plant it will appear to sit there for a week or more before it starts growing? Well, it isn’t really just sitting there, it is establishing its root system. Once it has grown a substantial root system the plant starts putting its energy in growing a larger plant and more flowers.
Roots are important to a plant because they are its primary source of water and food and are also important for the uptake of oxygen. The roots of the plant take up water but they also need air to breathe. Over-watering, in simple terms, drowns your plant. Soil that is constantly wet won’t have enough air pockets and the roots can’t breathe. Roots that can’t breathe are stressed roots. Stressed humans are more prone to disease. Well, stressed plants are more prone to diseases too and one of the common forms of plant stress is unhealthy roots. Over-watered plants are likely to get root diseases, primarily root rot. You probably won’t know your plant has gotten root rot until you notice that it is wilted, but the soil is still wet.
What exactly is root rot? There are several different fungi that cause root rot. The most common culprits are Pythium, Phytopthera, and Rhizoctonia. Healthy roots should be white and clean looking. Roots with root rot are brown, grey, black, slimy or non-existent. Over-watering also tends to rob your plants of proper nutrition. Either the roots are damaged and can’t absorb the fertilizer in the soil or the excess water has leached the fertilizer from the soil. Either way the plant doesn’t have access to the food it needs.
OK, you’ve gotten this far and you think it is possible that you have been over-watering your plants. Now what? If the plants are showing some yellowing and you know they have been watered too much, but they haven’t started to wilt while wet, simply start following proper watering techniques (Click Here) and your plant should bounce back. Hold off on any application of fertilizer until you see new growth. Then I would fertilize with a water soluble fertilizer the next 2 to 3 times you water (after you see new growth) to increase the fertility level. After this go back to fertilizing every 7 to 10 days.
However, if your plant has jumped into the deep end even though it can’t swim (your plants are wilting even though the soil is still wet), then the plant is in much bigger trouble. If one plant in a combination planter is wilting and the others look fine you might want to consider removing the wilting plant to help keep the disease from spreading further. Begin using proper watering techniques (Click Here). If the whole planter is wilting you will have to be more aggressive.
CPR for Drowning Plants
- Move the planter to a shady area, even if it is a full sun plant. The roots of your plant are unable to take up enough water to keep your plant hydrated. Plants in shaded locations will use less water. Once the roots are healthy move sun plants back to a sunny location.
- Be sure the pot is draining. If no drainage holes exists add some or repot the plant into a pot with drainage holes. Do not allow the pot to sit in water, this will keep the soil too wet.
- If possible, create additional air spaces around the root ball. One way of doing this is slowly tilt the pot to its side and then gently tap the container, the soil ball should now be loose within the container. Carefully re-stand the pot up when completed there should be small air pockets between the pot wall and around the soil ball. This will allow the soil to dry quicker and at the same time bring oxygen to the root zone.
- If the plant isn’t too large, repot into a different pot. Be sure to add new soil. This will give the roots nice, clean soil to grow into. If the plant is too large to be easily repotted go on to number 5.
- Begin watering only when the surface of the soil is dry to the touch. Do not allow the plant to get extremely dry, this additional shock could be enough to kill the plant. If the plant is wilting badly, you can mist or syringe the plant’s foliage with water which will prevent too much leaf scorch. Do not fertilize. With the roots in a delicate state it can be easy to burn the roots with fertilizer. Once the plant resumes active growth return to normal fertilization.
- Treating with a broad-spectrum fungicide can be helpful. Your local garden center should be able to help you choose one.
- If the plant is going to make it you should begin to see improvement in a week or so. Once the plant seems to be growing nicely move it into a sunnier location and begin fertilizing again.
Even if you take all of these steps there is no guarantee that your plant will bounce back. It partially depends on how badly the roots have been damaged. If you have a tendency to kill a plant with kindness and are composting more than are surviving you might look at changing your soil mix to a lighter, fluffier soil. Make sure you have plenty of drainage holes in your containers. If all else fails grow plants that like their feet in water. Plants like Cyperus, Alocasia, Colocasia, Acorus, and many others will thrive in containers that drain slowly. If you tend to keep plants on the wet side you might want to steer clear of plants that are more prone to problems from over-watering than most other plants.
For more information on general watering practices read "Water Your Way to Happy Plants."
For more information on general watering practices read "Watering Container Plants."
Ask a Question or Give Feedback about this article.
FAQs
Remove any dead or dying roots and keep only the roots that are healthy. Water only when the soil is dry to the touch, but do not let it get too dry. You should also seize all fertilization at this point until the plant is healthy again. Treat with a fungicide.
What would happen if a potted plant is overwatered Class 7 short answer? ›
Roots take up air from the air spaces present in soil. If there is too much water then the roots will not be able to take up air because the air spaces will get filled with water. This might cause the roots to die. To avoid this, plants should be watered in such a way that the roots are not clogged.
How long do plants take to recover from overwatering? ›
The good news is that most plants will bounce back between 7-14 days if they're given proper care (which includes rehydration). If this isn't possible because major damage was done or little healthy root system exists then expect about 2 weeks until improvement can be seen.
How do you come back from overwatering? ›
Overwatering your plants often has a side effect that oxygen can't reach your plant's roots anymore. By letting the soil dry out, oxygen will once again be able to reach the roots. This is often enough to help your plant recover and you can water it again.
Why should we not overwater plants Class 7? ›
Answer: We should not over-water potted plants because water will replace the air present in the soil and roots won't be able to breathe.
Why do plants need water class 3rd? ›
Plants need water as the nutrients responsible for their growth are water soluble. They require water for fundamental processes like germination and mineral nutrition as well as to compensate for what is lost due to transpiration.
How can we save an underwater plant? ›
If the plant is withering due to lack of water, hydrate the soil by putting the entire pot into a sink or bucket full of water for 15 to 30 minutes. If you water from the top, it will likely run down around the sides because the soil has become a hardened dry brick.
Can waterlogged plants be saved? ›
To save an overwatered plant, the first thing you should do is temporarily stop watering it. Make sure the drainage holes in your plant's pot aren't clogged, and gently shake the pot to loosen the soil and introduce some air into it. Place your plant in a shady spot and give it a few days for the soil to dry out.
How do you tell if a plant is dying from overwatering? ›
If a plant is overwatered, it will likely develop yellow or brown limp, droopy leaves as opposed to dry, crispy leaves (which are a sign of too little water). Wilting leaves combined with wet soil usually mean that root rot has set in and the roots can no longer absorb water.
Can plants come back to life with water? ›
Some plants, however, display the remarkable ability to survive near total desiccation (less than 5% relative water content), which causes them to appear dead. But when rehydrated, these plants can be revived. Hence, they are often referred to as “resurrection plants”.
Without water, the plant cannot perform photosynthesis ( process of food production), respiration, translocation of food to different parts of the plant. And more importantly, if there is no water in the soil, plants cannot absorb the nutrients. It becomes difficult for a plant to survive.
Why do plants need water 4 reasons? ›
Plants use a lot of water! Plants need water to grow! Plants are about 80-95% water and need water for multiple reasons as they grow including for photosynthesis, for cooling, and to transport minerals and nutrients from the soil and into the plant.
Why do we not water plants at night? ›
At the time of day even if there is a lot of moisture it can be absorbed by the sun but during the night time, watering allows the water that is sprinkled to stay for an extended period as there is no sun to absorb the moisture. This will surely result in fungi and bacteria.
How is plant air important? ›
The two primary reasons plants need is air to photosynthesize (make food) and to breathe. Plants need to breathe for the same reason people and animals must breathe – they need oxygen to convert food into energy. The relationship between air and indoor plants is crucial to keeping your plants looking their best.
Why do plants need light? ›
Light is one of the most important factors for growing houseplants. All plants require light for photosynthesis, the process within a plant that converts light, oxygen and water into carbohydrates (energy). Plants require this energy in order to grow, bloom and produce seed.
What would happen if a potted plant is flooded with water? ›
Over-watering, in simple terms, drowns your plant. Soil that is constantly wet won't have enough air pockets and the roots can't breathe. Roots that can't breathe are stressed roots. Stressed humans are more prone to disease.
What will happen if potted plants are not watered even for a few days Class 7? ›
If a potted plant is not watered for a day during summer, the plant will wilt. This happens because of excessive water loss due to transpiration. In most of the cases, this is reversible by watering the plant in time. But if a long delay is made then, the plant cannot be revived.
What is affected by over-watering potted plants? ›
Over-watering seriously restrains and cuts off the supply of oxygen that roots rely upon to work appropriately, meaning that plants don't get sufficient oxygen to endure. Also, a lot of water can likewise lead to root spoiling and the irreversible rotting of roots.
Why potted plants should not be overwatered? ›
Container plants with too much water may experience foliage die off, rotten roots and tubers, and promotion of some pests or mold issues. All of these stress the plant and compromise its health. Potted plants that are too wet may even simply rot off at the crown or base.
Should I repot an overwatered plant? ›
It's important to get as much remaining old, wet soil out of your plant and plant roots before you repot your plant. Old soil could potentially harbor mold, which can cause mold growth on your plant once it's been repotted; so make sure as much of it is gone as possible before you start adding the fresh soil.
Though those roots definitely need water, they also need some time to breathe. Luckily, by bottom watering plants, you get the best of both worlds: You're able to keep them from drowning, as well as avoid underwatering them.
How do plants look when raining? ›
Plants look greener after it rains since air is 78 percent nitrogen and nitrogen, above all other elements, is what makes plants green. Some of this element, in its nitrate and ammonium forms, comes down in the rain and is immediately taken in by plants through roots and leaves.
How can we utilize rainwater properly Class 7? ›
Rainwater is the purest form of water and of good quality which is used for irrigation, cooking, cleaning, washing, and bathing and for other livestock requirements. This method of rainwater harvesting is simple and low cost. It also helps in reducing the water bill.
What are the steps taken for proper water management of water Class 7? ›
Water management can be done by :-
Repairing leaking pipes and taps. Not wasting water during brushing teeth, shaving, bathing, washing clothes and during other activities. Rainwater harvesting. By drip irrigation of plants.
Is it OK to water plants at night? ›
The best time to water plants is in the morning or evening.
Morning watering is actually preferable to evening watering as the plant has time to dry before the sun goes down. At night, water tends to rest in the soil, around the roots, and on the foliage, which encourages rot, fungal growth, and insects.
Should you let plant water sit out? ›
If you use tap water, you may notice that your plants are not growing as tall and strong to the best of their abilities. To reduce the risk of harmful chemicals in your water, allow your tap water to sit out for at least 24 hours before using it to water your plants.
Should you water potted plants every day? ›
Watering container plants.
Pots absorb heat, which can stress plant roots, and the soil in them dries out much faster than soil in the ground. Container plants generally need to be watered daily. During really hot weather, you may need to even water twice a day, especially smaller containers.
What happens if you drown a plant? ›
Overwatering, in simple terms, drowns your plant. Healthy soil allows for oxygen to exist in the space between particles of soil. If there is too much water or the soil is constantly wet, there is not enough air pockets. This results in a limited oxygen supply and plants are not able to breathe.
How do you know if your plant is drowning? First, have you been watering only when the surface of the soil is dry to the touch? If you haven’t, it is possible your plant is staying too wet. For more information on proper watering for plants in pots read “Water Your Way to Happy Plants.” Second, is your plant looking light green and generally unhappy? One possible reason for this is over-watering. While both of these foliage indicators are symptoms of over-watering, the most common way someone figures out their plant is drowning is that the plant has wilted even though the soil is wet.
