Plant Care Tips 12.06.20

Am I overwatering my plants?

Overwatering can be harmful to your houseplants, and is often the cause of many plant parent woes. Here are our tips for spotting signs of overwatering and how to fix it.
Am I overwatering my plants? - Leaf Envy

Am I overwatering my plants?

Overwatering can be harmful to your houseplants, and is often the cause of many plant parent woes. Here are our tips for spotting signs of overwatering and how to fix it.

Overwatering simply refers to soil that has been too wet for too long, caused by your plant not having enough sunlight for the soil to dry out properly between watering. If these conditions continue for long, root rot can develop and your plant will be deprived of its essential nutrients.

What are the signs of overwatering?

Bring an overwatered plant back to life by following these steps.

1

Pale green or yellow patches developing on lower leaves - this is an initial sign of overwatering.

2

No new growth or struggling foliage - this is a sign that your plant isn’t receiving the nutrients it needs, which can result from overwatering.

3

Fungus gnats (AKA Sciarid Flies) are small flying insects that thrive in damp soil and compost that can damage your plant.

4

Mould or mushiness at the base of your plant - where there’s too much water, mould can start to grow. This is a bad sign: try and catch it before it gets to this point.

5

Unpleasant or musty odour - when roots start to rot and decay that have a foul smell, so you can give your plant a sniff to see if this is the case.

1

Stop watering your plant

2

Bring your plant our of direct sunlight to protect the upper leaves as it recovers.

3

Aerate the roots and soil by tapping on the sides of the pot, or using your hands/small shovel to gently loosen the soil and create air pockets.

4

Prune dead leaves and stems from the plant - this will help the plant save energy whilst it recovers.

5

Check for root rot by gently slide the plant out of its planter to inspect the roots and also speed up the drying process. Prune away rotting roots, these look soft and dark-coloured, unlike firm white healthy roots. Choose a pot with good drainage to remove excess moisture and use fresh soil to repot your plant carefully.

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