When I got into houseplants in late 2021, I had very little experience. My watering routine was questionable and I thought the middle of a room was perfectly bright for plants. Oh, the things I didn’t know! 🤭
But if I had to name my biggest plant care sin, it would definitely be overwatering. I’ve killed countless plants by watering them too often while genuinely believing I was taking good care of them.
I wanted them to thrive! I just hadn’t figured out that sometimes the best thing you can do for a plant is leave it alone. My watering can and I have had a complicated relationship over the years 😂
How do you know when a plant needs water?
One of the trickiest things about overwatering is that the symptoms can look surprisingly similar to underwatering. Yellow leaves, drooping and generally unhappy-looking plants don’t automatically mean they’re thirsty.
Before reaching for your watering can, check the growing medium!
If it’s still wet, adding more water may make things worse. When a growing medium stays saturated for too long the roots struggle to get enough oxygen which can lead to root damage and root rot.
If the roots are already damaged the plant may struggle to absorb water even when the growing medium is wet. That’s why checking the moisture is so important.
My favourite ways to check moisture
When I first started growing houseplants I used a moisture meter.
Moisture meters designed for soil can be unreliable in very chunky aroid mixes or soilless growing media. The readings depend on the type of meter and the growing medium so I wouldn’t rely on one as the only way to decide when to water.
These days I often just lift the pot! With practice I’ve learned to recognise the difference between a pot containing wet growing medium and one that’s dried out. It’s a simple trick and you get surprisingly good at it over time.
Some plant enthusiasts love transparent pots because you can often see how much moisture remains in the growing medium and how the roots are doing. They’re not foolproof but they can make it much easier to judge when a plant needs watering.
You can also check deeper into the growing medium with your finger or a wooden stick depending on the pot and mix.
How I water my plants these days
I used to take my plants to the shower quite regularly. I thought they would appreciate a good rinse and in some ways they do! 🤭 These days though I rarely give them a shower.
Occasionally a thorough flush with water is useful for washing away excess fertiliser salts that can accumulate in the growing medium. Just make sure the water can drain away properly.
Most of the time I prefer bottom watering. I water my plants through their saucers and allow the growing medium to absorb water from below. Once the plant has had time to take up water I drain away any excess rather than leaving the pot sitting in water.
Of course bottom watering isn’t a magic solution to overwatering. The growing medium can still become too wet so I always check whether the plant actually needs water first.
And when it comes to pots without drainage holes? That’s a hard no from me 😂 I don’t use them at all not even as decorative cover pots. I want the water to drain freely and I don’t need any extra drama when it comes to watering my plants!
It’s all about finding a routine that works for you and your plants. For me that means fewer shower trips less hovering and a little more trust in my own judgement 🌿
Stop watering by the calendar!
Plants don’t all dry out at the same rate. Pot size, growing medium, light, temperature, humidity and the plant’s stage of growth all affect how often it needs water.
My Monsteras growing in a chunky airy aroid mix have different watering needs from plants growing in a finer more moisture-retentive mix.
And when the days get darker and growth slows down many plants use water more slowly too.
Instead of watering every Sunday just because it’s Sunday check what your plants actually need.
Your calendar doesn’t know whether your Monstera is thirsty 😂
The helicopter plant mum problem
Here’s something I’ve noticed over the years: when I come home from a trip I sometimes find my plants sitting in bone-dry growing medium looking happier than ever!
Apparently they’ve been living their best lives while I’ve been away without their helicopter plant mum hovering around with a watering can constantly checking whether they need a drink 🤣
Of course letting a plant become severely dehydrated isn’t the goal. But those little holiday observations have taught me something: my plants don’t always need as much attention as I think they do.
Sometimes we just need to put the watering can down and trust ourselves to recognise when it’s actually needed 🤭
Can you save an overwatered plant?
Absolutely sometimes! If the roots are still healthy correcting the watering routine and improving drainage may be enough.
If the roots have rotted badly however starting over with healthy cuttings may be the better option.
Golden pothos (Epipremnum aureum) is a great example. If the roots are damaged I like to cut healthy vines into shorter sections each with at least one viable node. Rather than trying to reroot one long struggling vine several shorter cuttings give you multiple chances to grow a healthy plant again 🌱
Not every plant can be saved but propagation can give you a second chance. And let’s be honest if you’re a plant collector an excuse to make more plants isn’t always the worst thing in the world! 😅
What I wish I’d known from the beginning
If I could give my beginner plant-parent self a few tips they’d be these:
- Check the growing medium before watering.
- Learn to recognise the weight of your pots.
- Use transparent pots if you find them helpful.
- Choose a suitable growing medium and pots with proper drainage.
- Adjust watering to the plant the season and the growing conditions.
- Don’t assume a drooping plant is thirsty!
I’ve lost plenty of plants along the way but I’ve also learned a lot. These days I know that good plant care isn’t about constantly doing something. It’s about observing learning and understanding what your plants actually need. And sometimes it’s about resisting the urge to give them just one more little drink 🫣
One more thing! 🌿 I’ll be writing a separate post about self-watering pots because watering with those is a whole different story! 😉
