Caring for plants is not always easy. Before growing a plant indoors or outdoors, it is important to know the growing conditions to prevent it from wilting. Indeed, certain errors can prove fatal for your plants, especially those relating to watering. Learn about this mistake that can kill your houseplants.
To keep your plants thriving and healthy, it is important to maintain them well. To do this, you need to know their growing conditions, to avoid excesses which can be harmful to your plants, especially when it comes to watering.
What is the mistake that can kill houseplants?
The mistake that can be fatal for your houseplants is excessive watering according to Etienne Laurentides, gardener and landscaper in the Jura. Indeed, excess water removes oxygen from the earth and therefore asphyxiates the roots and causes them to rot. In addition to this, when the soil is very soggy, the plant is no longer able to feed itself, because the humidity blocks the photosynthesis process. As a result, its leaves soften, turn yellow, and then die. Also, excess water makes the plant vulnerable to attacks by parasites, but also fungi. Mold can then form on the pot and on the potting soil.
How to save plants from excess water?
To save a plant that has received a lot of water, first start by putting it in the shade. Leaving it in the sun will cause it to dry out, because an overwatered plant is unable to send water to its ends. Then you will have to let it dry. To speed up the drying of the plant, tap the sides of the pot with your hand several times. This loosens the soil, that is, makes it light in addition to creating air pockets capable of aerating the soil.
Then remove the plant from the pot to check the condition of its roots and then repot it in a new pot. To do this, gently turn the plant over, hold it with one hand, and with the other hand, shake the pot until you can get the root ball out. Then, using your fingers, remove all the soil from around your plant’s root system. There is no point in keeping this soil because, when repotting, new, fresher soil will be used. Using well-cleaned and disinfected pruning shears, remove the rotten roots. You will recognize them by their brown or black, soft and pasty appearance. Healthy roots, on the other hand, are white and firm. Do not hesitate to prune dead leaves and stems. These are brown and dry.
After cleaning your plant of its dead parts, repot it in a new pot that contains drainage holes. To encourage water flow and promote drainage, you can add a layer of mulch or clay balls to the bottom of the pot. Then add fresh potting soil and tap lightly on the surface to settle it. Water lightly to moisten the soil, and only water a second time when the soil dries out. Also, be sure to remove any stagnant water from the saucer or pot cover after each watering.
How to avoid overwatering houseplants?
To avoid overwatering which can kill your plant, only water it when it needs water. To do this, several clues can help you know whether you need to water your plant or not.
- Potting soil: before watering your plant, stick your finger into the potting soil. If it is dry more than 4 cm deep, water it.
- The weight of the pot: a plant is heavier after watering. Lifting the pot allows you to weigh it. If it is heavy, this means that the soil is still full of water and therefore there is no point in watering it.
- Plant type: The amount of water a plant needs depends on its type. For example, cacti and succulents only need a small amount of water. There is no need to water these succulents regularly, as their thick, fleshy tissues help retain water. This means that these plants can tolerate drought very well. On the other hand, plants that have fine foliage, buds or flowers need to be watered regularly.
That said, avoid being heavy-handed when watering your indoor green plants, as excess water can suffocate the roots of your plants and cause them to rot.
