How to rescue your overwatered plants
Are you on a rescue mission to save your overwatered plants? From aloe vera to ferns, houseplants could be at risk of overwatering if they are kept in pots with insufficient drainage.
'Overwatering is usually more fatal than underwatering as it causes the plant's microscopic root hairs to die, and this damage can sometimes be irreversible,' Annelise Brilli, horticultural expert at Thompson & Morgan tells House Beautiful UK. 'Once the root hairs have died the plant can no longer take up water, which is why overwatered plants exhibit wilting leaves in the same way as underwatered plants.'
The good news is that it is possible to save an overwatered plant, but it will need a break from watering to give it time to dry out. In most cases, houseplants can recover in two to three weeks.
What does an overwatered plant look like?
Overwatering drowns your houseplant. Soil that is always wet won't have enough air pockets, resulting in the roots struggling to breathe. Signs you may have overwatered your plant include:
• New and old leaves falling off at the same time
• Leaves turning brown and yellow
• Leaf tips are brown
• Leaves, stems or flowers are mouldy
• Your plant is smelly or has rotting roots
• An overall floppy-like appearance
• Fuzzy soil
How do you dry out an overwatered plant?
One way you can save an overwatered plant is by drying out the root ball (the main mass of roots located directly beneath the plant's stem).
First, remove the plant from its pot and wrap it in newspaper to absorb the water. 'You may need to change the newspaper several times to thoroughly dry out the root ball. How well your plant recovers will depend on how much damage has been done to those delicate root hairs,' says Annelise.
Don't water your houseplant until the top few inches of soil have dried out. 'If the plant is a succulent or other drought-tolerant species, you should follow a "drought and drench regime", leaving the root ball to dry out completely and then giving it a good soak before leaving it to dry out again.'
Another way to save an overwatered plant is to repot it in new soil once it has dried out.
'Remove the plant from the pot, and rinse off any remaining soil. Then allow the plant to dry out (but keep out of the sunlight),' says Keira Kay, Bloom & Wild's plant expert. 'Once the plant has fully dried, repot it with new soil ensuring there is adequate drainage either by using a pot with a drainage hole or by adding a layer of pebbles to the bottom of the pot.'
Also try pruning any spent foliage so the plant can focus its energy towards new growth and don't forget to adjust your watering schedule, only watering your plant when the soil is wet. 'You will need to allow most plants to dry out in between watering,' adds Keira.
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