Think your plant is thirsty because its leaves are drooping? Not so fast. Too much water can cause just as many problems as too little. Here are seven signs your indoor plants are asking you to put the watering can down.
Yellow leaves are your plant’s way of waving a little “something is wrong” flag. If several leaves are turning yellow at once, especially while the soil is still wet, you may be overwatering.
This one is seriously confusing. You watered your plant yesterday and it is still looking completely miserable. What gives? Overwatering can damage the roots and stop them from absorbing water properly.
Healthy leaves should generally feel firm and fresh. If they start feeling soft, limp or mushy, your plant could be getting too much water. This is especially worth checking if the leaves are also changing colour or falling off.
If you watered your plant several days ago and the soil is still wet, take a break. Stick your finger a couple of centimetres into the soil and check. If it feels damp, you probably don’t need to water it again just yet.
Potting soil should smell earthy and, well, like soil. If your plant suddenly smells sour or rotten, don’t ignore it. Constantly wet soil can create conditions that encourage root problems.
Seeing tiny black flies hovering around your plant pot? You may have fungus gnats. These little pests love consistently moist soil. If they have suddenly turned your indoor garden into their personal neighbourhood, check how often you are watering.
This is the big red flag. If you take the plant out of its pot and find roots that are mushy or dark instead of firm and healthy-looking, your plant may be dealing with root damage or root rot.
So, forget the idea that every plant needs water on a fixed schedule. Check the soil first. If the top layer is still damp, wait. If it has dried out and your particular plant needs watering, then give it a proper drink and let the excess water drain away.
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