How to save an overwatered plant?

In this article we will advise you on what to do so your plants recover quickly from possible overwatering.

The best defense against overwatering is, of course, prevention, which is why experienced growers regularly check whether their pots contain excess water. It's never a bad idea to read up in advance on the basic information about a particular plant or variety so you know its individual water needs. Simply put, there is an obvious difference between, for example, a cactus or plants with succulent leaves that store fluids themselves, and evergreen plants. Even among evergreen species there can be nuances in preferred watering frequency and amounts. So don’t grow “blindly.” Compared to hand watering, if we know a plant’s needs in advance, appropriate irrigation is made easier by self-watering systems.

Sometimes we overdo frequent watering and drown the crop. Overwatered plants are weaker and far more prone to disease and pests. However, this is still a much smaller mistake than, for example, scorching plants by over-fertilizing. These two errors, more typical of gardening beginners, are closely related, because if we water with a solution containing mineral nutrients, we can easily also “burn” the plants. When growing outdoors, rainfall can also contribute to this negative effect. But, as they say, even the master gardener…

How to recognize an overwatered plant?

To check how much moisture a plant grown in a flowerpot has, you can lift the pot with the plant in your hand. Only water the plant if the pot feels flowerpot-light to you. If the substrate is dry on the surface but the pot is surprisingly heavy, wait until the next day before watering.

The most visible indicator of overwatering is, of course, the plant's appearance, which does not match the expectations of a healthy, thriving specimen. Yellowing leaves reveal a lot. However, leaves of plants that desperately need watering can show the same symptoms. Some growers, trying to save the situation, water heavily without realizing they are watering a plant already showing signs of overwatering. You therefore cannot rely solely on “yellow leaves,” especially since either scenario already indicates a problem.

After overwatering, it is crucial to remedy the damage early!

Let’s save the situation. After overwatering, first move the plant to a warmer spot, ideally a sunlit place with plenty of fresh, moving air. The reason is simple: in such conditions excess water is absorbed and evaporates more easily. Then water the plant much less and observe what happens. Alternatively, you can mist the surrounding area to increase humidity without risking further overwatering.

If your plant’s leaves are already visibly dying, follow this procedure. Remove it from the flowerpot or other container and remove as much substrate as possible without disturbing the root system. Before replanting, leave it overnight in a warm place without drafts. Meanwhile, disinfect the pot and dry it thoroughly. Moisten the new substrate only very lightly and be meticulous about preparing drainage at the bottom of the pot using pieces of wood or twigs, stones, or leaves. And above all, remember to check the condition of the roots before replanting.

Fortunately, the plant’s ability to self-regenerate and the great power of nature often come into play here, so there is a good chance that timely “plant resuscitation,” as described above, will save your overwatered crop and the plants will soon recover to delight you with healthy leaves and flowers.

When growing with autonomous irrigation systems you can water the crop much more efficiently without losing plants, time, or energy. A sophisticated self-watering system manages water very well; plants won’t be overwatered and not a drop will be wasted.

Those are our tips on how to prevent overwatered plants and how to deal with this complication during the growing process with the greatest chance of success. If you have any questions, feel free to write to us at the well-known address info@higarden.cz.

• Self-watering systems
• Substrates
• Flowerpots