Sadly, plants can drown and many green thumbs agree that more plants are lost to overwatering than underwatering.
The number one thing you need to remember to be a successful plant parent is do not let your plant get soggy feet. Meaning don’t let the bottom of your plant sit in water afterwards. Draining excess water will prevent root rot which will kill your plant.
How to water your plants
Pouring water onto the topsoil of plants is the most common way to water them but not the only way.
For plants with textured leaves that hold moisture like peperomias, coleus and velvet plants place them in a bowl of water for 10-15 minutes then drain. This keeps the leaves dry while allowing the roots to soak up as much water as they need.
Tropical plants with large, lush foliage will also benefit from a shower every once in a while throughout summer. This helps keep their leaves clean and prevents pests as well as washing through any topsoil mineral build up. Again, after showering your plants let them drain before putting them back.
Others like cacti and succulents usually won’t need any water as they draw moisture from the air.
Most plants prefer to either dry out between waterings or have the top inches still moist before they need another water.
Watering in winter
Some plants go dormant while others will slow down their growth over winter so it’s important to remember that your plants don’t need as much water as usual during these times.
Signs of water stress
While yellow leaves can be the result of a range of issues, the first thing to look to is overwatering.
If you’re underwatering, your plant will start to go brown and shrivel and the soil will begin contracting.
Every plant is different and the temperature and light they receive will change the amount of water they need but for most popular house plants, watering about once a week is sufficient. If you are unsure, invest in a moisture meter.
