How can you tell if a tomato plant is getting too much water?

Author: Brianne Christiansen  |  Last update: Monday, August 4, 2025

If you've been watering too much you might notice these signs: Yellow leaves. Dark or mushy roots. Soggy soil.

What does a tomato plant look like with too much water?

Knowing when and how often to water your plants can sometimes feel more like an art than a science, perhaps no more so than for tomatoes. Overwatering tomatoes can lead to yellow and spotted leaves, while underwatering results in wilt and diseased fruit.

What are the signs of water stress in tomato plants?

7 Signs You're Underwatering Your Tomatoes
  • Wilting. The plant droops and weakens when its cells lack moisture because they lose structural support. ...
  • Weak Stems. When damaged, stems become more vulnerable to pest and disease infestations. ...
  • Yellow Leaves. ...
  • Lack of Flowers. ...
  • Blossom Drop. ...
  • Stunted Growth. ...
  • Compacted Soil.

Should tomato plants be watered every day?

Tomatoes don't like their roots dry, so it's best to water them every day, they will also benefit from a weekly dose of liquid fertilizer.

Will tomato leaves curl if overwatered?

Over-watering.

Leaves might yellow and wither, or they could curl.

How to water tomatoes? "Reading" their leaves...

How do I know if I am watering my tomatoes too much?

If you've been watering too much you might notice these signs:
  • Yellow leaves.
  • Dark or mushy roots.
  • Soggy soil.
  • Cracked or rotting fruit.
  • Showing signs of disease.

Do curling leaves mean too much water?

Plants can also run out of water through overwatering! When a plant is over-watered, its roots rot. They can no longer drink and feed the stems and leaves. And the leaf blades curl up to reduce water evaporation.

Can tomato plants recover from too much water?

Depending on the amount of damage, the plant should recover in one to two weeks.

Do tomatoes need full sun?

Tomatoes love the sunshine. A position in full sun (that means an average of at least eight hours a day) gives the best results in most areas, though if you're in a hot climate you can get away with dappled shade.

How do you tell the difference between overwatered and underwatered tomato plants?

While underwatered foliage will be dry and crispy, overwatered tomato plants will usually have soft and mushy leaves or stems. The issue lies in root health. When you overwater, you limit the amount of airflow around the roots, essentially suffocating them.

What does a stressed tomato plant look like?

Symptoms on leaves - curling & distortion

Symptoms: upward rolling of the leaves. This is a common occurrence in mid-summer and is associated with high temperatures and moisture stress. Some tomato varieties, including heavily pruned determinate-type varieties, are more prone to leaf roll.

What are the 3 signs of water stress in leaves plants?

Common signs of drought stress include:
  • Grayish cast to leaves.
  • Leaf curling or rolling.
  • Drooping leaders on conifers.
  • Leaf drop.

How do I know if my tomato plant is healthy?

Avoid plants with yellowing or wilted leaves, as these may indicate nutrient deficiencies or disease. Inspect the stems for any signs of damage or discoloration, as healthy tomato plants should have strong, upright stems.

How do you fix watery tomatoes?

If you dice your tomatoes, salt them, then set them in a strainer or colander set over a bowl to collect the juices, you'll end up with chunks of tomato that are not only less watery (as the salt will draw liquid out), but also more flavorful and denser/meatier in texture.

What fertilizer is good for tomatoes?

Some growers prefer to use a high-phosphorus fertilizer, indicated by a larger middle number. You can also keep things simple with a fertilizer especially formulated for tomatoes – usually with a ratio like 3-4-6 or 4-7-10. Most importantly, don't over-fertilize. Too little fertilizer is always better than too much.

Why are the leaves on my tomato plant thick and curling?

Heat and low moisture can cause the edges of the tomato leaves to die back, then twist and curl. Hot dry weather may also cause a symptom called physiological leaf roll. This is a self- defense response, where leaves and leaflets curl slightly to prevent further water loss (Fig.

Is it okay to water tomato plants in the sun?

So, it's best to water them in the morning before the sun hits them. In high heat and drought, I water them again in the evening. If your tomatoes wilt in the heat of the day even though you have watered them well in the morning, the cause is not lack of water.

Are tomatoes better in pots or ground?

Garden soil from planting beds tends to be too heavy for containers — it will over-compact — and may contain disease organisms. Tomatoes are susceptible to diseases (such as blight) and pests (like nematodes) that can hang out in soil, and one advantage of growing in pots is that doing so can reduce outbreaks.

Do cucumbers like full sun?

Quick Guide to Growing Cucumbers

Space cucumbers 36 to 60 inches apart (12 inches apart for trellised plants) in an area with abundant sun and fertile, well-drained soil with a pH of 6.0 to 6.8.

How long does it take for plants to recover from overwatering?

The good news is that most plants will bounce back between 7-14 days if they're given proper care (which includes rehydration). If this isn't possible because major damage was done or little healthy root system exists then expect about 2 weeks until improvement can be seen.

How do you remove excess water from tomatoes?

Try and remove just the seeds of the tomatoes and the slimy part that surrounds them, this way you're just getting the flesh of the tomatoes and that should cut back on the water !

What is the most common tomato disease?

Bacterial wilt disease is most commonly found on tomatoes, although other solanaceous plants such as potato, pepper, and eggplant also may be infected. The first symptom is a sudden and permanent wilting of the leaves, even when there is adequate soil moisture (Figure 18).

What do leaves look like with too much water?

You probably overwatered your plant if both old and new leaves are falling off at the same time. These leaves can be green, brown, or yellow.

Should I remove curled leaves?

Although symptoms of leaf curl are seen primarily in spring as new leaves develop, there is little you can do to control the disease at this time. Some people remove diseased leaves or prune infected shoots, but this has not been shown to improve control.

How to fix an overwatered plant?

CPR for Drowning Plants
  1. Move the planter to a shady area, even if it is a full sun plant. ...
  2. Be sure the pot is draining. ...
  3. If possible, create additional air spaces around the root ball. ...
  4. If the plant isn't too large, repot into a different pot. ...
  5. Begin watering only when the surface of the soil is dry to the touch.

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