What to Do When You Over Water a Plant

While plants need water to survive, too much water can actually harm them. Over watering a plant can lead to root rot, wilting and yellowing leaves, and in severe cases, death. If you’ve accidentally over watered your plant, don’t panic. Here are some steps you can take to save your plant.

Assess the Damage

The first step is to assess the extent of the damage. Check the soil to see if it’s too wet. If the soil is completely saturated and water is pooling on the surface, then you’ve definitely over watered your plant. Look at the leaves – if they are yellow or brown and droopy, it may be a sign of root rot. If the leaves are wilted but still green, then the plant may recover with some extra care.

Stop Watering Immediately

The most important thing to do when you’ve over watered a plant is to stop watering it immediately. This will give the plant a chance to dry out and recover. If the soil is completely saturated, you may need to loosen it to improve drainage. If the plant is in a pot, carefully remove it from the pot and inspect the roots.

Improve Drainage

One way to improve drainage is to repot the plant in fresh, well-draining soil. Choose a pot that has drainage holes and fill the bottom with gravel or perlite to help excess water drain away. If you don’t want to repot the plant, you can also try adding some sand or peat moss to the soil to improve drainage.

Allow the Plant to Dry Out

After stopping watering and improving drainage, allow the plant to dry out completely before watering it again. This may take several days, depending on how saturated the soil is. Check the soil regularly by sticking your finger into it – if it feels dry an inch down, it’s time to water the plant again. Don’t water the plant until the soil has had a chance to dry out completely.

Trim and Treat Damaged Leaves

If the plant has suffered significant damage, such as yellow or brown leaves, it may be necessary to trim them off. This will divert the plant’s energy to healthy leaves and help it recover. You can also treat the plant with a root-stimulating fertiliser to promote new growth.

Monitor the Plant’s Progress

After you’ve taken steps to repair the damage, monitor the plant’s progress closely. Check the soil regularly and be observant of any changes in the plant’s leaves or growth. With the right care and attention, your plant should recover from over watering and thrive once again!