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Overwatering vs. Underwatering (and how to treat both)
Improper watering is the leading cause of houseplant decline, and one of the trickiest parts is that overwatering and underwatering can look almost identical. A drooping, yellowing plant might be crying out for water, or drowning in too much of it. Learning to read the signs, and to check the soil before reaching for the watering can, is one of the most valuable skills a plant parent can develop. Here's how to tell the difference between an overwatered and underwatered plant, and how to treat both.
At Léon & George, our master gardeners have spent nearly a decade growing premium plants and helping thousands of plant parents nationwide, so the guidance here comes straight from hands-on experience.
How to Tell Overwatering From Underwatering
Because the symptoms overlap, the soil is your best diagnostic tool. Before assuming a wilting plant is thirsty, stick your finger two inches into the soil. If it's soggy and wet, the problem is likely overwatering; if it's bone-dry and pulling away from the pot, the plant is underwatered. Combining a look at the leaves with a check of the soil will tell you what your plant actually needs.
Signs of Overwatering
Overwatered plants often show browning leaf edges, caused by water bursting the veins at the leaf margins, along with general wilting (yes, plants wilt when overwatered too) and yellowing leaves. Pooling water beneath the pot and the appearance of pests, which thrive in damp conditions, are other red flags.
How to Treat an Overwatered Plant
A gently overwatered plant will often recover if you let it dry out in a warm, bright spot. For severe cases, you'll need to change the soil, and if the roots are mushy and brown, treat it as root rot: remove the damaged roots, rinse the rest, and repot in fresh, well-draining soil.
Signs of Underwatering
Underwatered plants tend to droop and look lifeless, with soil that pulls away from the sides of the pot. If your plant dries out very quickly after watering, it may be rootbound and in need of a larger pot. As a general guide, water about two cups for plants two to three feet tall and three cups for plants three to six feet tall, adjusting for the season and conditions.
How to Treat an Underwatered Plant
The best fix for a severely underwatered plant is bottom watering: set the plant, in its nursery pot, in a few inches of water and let it drink from the bottom up for up to 24 hours. Dry soil often repels water poured from the top, so giving the roots plenty of time to absorb moisture is key. Even a plant that looks nearly dead can often be revived this way.
Tools to Get Watering Right
The easiest way to avoid both overwatering and underwatering is to stop guessing. A moisture meter reads exactly how wet the soil is down at the roots, and a precise pour from the Diva Watering Can helps you give each plant just the right amount.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I tell if my plant is overwatered or underwatered?
Check the soil. Soggy, wet soil with yellowing leaves points to overwatering, while bone-dry soil pulling away from the pot with drooping leaves points to underwatering. The leaves alone can be misleading, so always feel the soil.
Can an overwatered plant recover?
Yes, if caught early. Let a mildly overwatered plant dry out in a warm, bright spot. For severe cases, change the soil and, if the roots are mushy, trim away the rot before repotting in fresh, well-draining soil.
How do I revive a severely underwatered plant?
Bottom water it: place the plant in a few inches of water and let it soak from the bottom up for up to 24 hours. Dry soil repels water from the top, so a long soak gives the roots time to fully rehydrate.
Why are my plant's leaves turning yellow?
Yellowing leaves are most often a sign of overwatering, but they can also result from underwatering or low light. Check the soil moisture first: wet soil suggests overwatering, dry soil suggests the opposite.
How often should I water my houseplants?
It depends on the plant, light, and season, so check the soil rather than following a fixed schedule. As a starting point, water about two cups for a two-to-three-foot plant and three cups for a three-to-six-foot plant when the top two inches of soil are dry.