How to Save a Drowning Plant

Overwatering is one of the main reasons why houseplants die. When soil becomes waterlogged, plant roots are unable to breathe and can ultimately drown. However, there are ways to save your drowning plant by adjusting your watering technique. Here are the steps you can take:

1. Look for signs of overwatering such as yellow leaves, wilted leaves that are soft and limp, and a wet soil smell.
2. Stop watering your plant immediately and move it to a spot with less light if it’s in a bright window. Bright light requires more water, and if the roots can’t absorb it, the plant may die.
3. Double-check that your pot has proper drainage holes. If not, add them carefully over a sink or pan.
4. Add air to the root zone by tilting or rolling the pot gently to create air pockets.
5. If the plant isn’t too large, repot it. Remove it from the existing pot, shake off excess soil, and use a gentle spray to wash soil from roots. Cut away damaged roots and add fresh soil with chunky bark pieces or pine bark to create air pockets.
6. Mist wilted leaves daily to prevent further damage.
7. Water only when the soil surface is dry to the touch and stop when water trickles out the drainage holes. Never let plants sit in water overnight.

In addition, if you tend to overwater your plants, you can try swapping them for water-loving ones, using a light potting mix with coarse soil, choosing clay pots that breathe through their sides, adding drainage holes, and repotting regularly to improve airflow to roots.