How do you tell if a plant is overwatered or underwatered?

Author: Verna Schoen  |  Last update: Friday, July 4, 2025

Overwatering means yellowing leaves, a general feeling of flop (science calls it wilting!), fuzzy soil, and a pot that feels like it could double as a weight. Underwatering shows itself with crispy leaves, that same sad droop, and bone-dry soil.

What does an overwatered plant look like?

When a plant is first becoming overwatered, leaves turn yellow. If soil doesn't have a chance to dry out before you water again, leaves start to wilt. When overwatering is the problem, wilted leaves are soft and limp. (If too little water is the issue, wilted leaves are dry and crispy.)

How to tell the difference between an overwatered and underwatered plant?

Comments Section An overwatered plant will be full and heavy looking, drooping under its own weight, while an underwatered plant will have thin, weak leaves that are unable to support themselves. But the best way to tell is to lift up the pot. If it's heavy, you overwatered. If it's light, they're thirsty.

How do I fix an overwatered plant?

Below are a few steps for saving your overwatered plants:
  1. Ensure adequate drainage. Poor drainage can contribute to overwatered plants. ...
  2. Wrap your plant. ...
  3. Remove unhealthy roots. ...
  4. Repot your plant.

How to tell if a plant has too much water or not enough?

If you try, you can see the health of the plant. If the plant wants more water, the stems and leaves will be kind of soft and droopy. If the need for water has gone on for long, the plant will look thin and stunted, have yellowing and dead brown leaves.

The Secret to Knowing if Your Plant is Overwatered

What are the first symptoms of overwatering?

If a plant is overwatered, it will likely develop yellow or brown limp, droopy leaves as opposed to dry, crispy leaves (which are a sign of too little water). Wilting leaves combined with wet soil usually mean that root rot has set in and the roots can no longer absorb water.

What is the best way to determine when an indoor plant needs watering?

One of the easiest ways to check if your plant needs watering is to stick your finger into the soil. This gives you a clearer indication of the soil moisture content than simply looking at the surface. You can reach 2-3in into the soil and feel how moist or dry the soil is.

Should I mist an overwatered plant?

Do not allow the plant to get extremely dry, this additional shock could be enough to kill the plant. If the plant is wilting badly, you can mist or syringe the plant's foliage with water which will prevent too much leaf scorch.

What do leaves look like when underwatered?

Dry, Brown Edges: The leaves of underwatered plants often have dry, crispy edges or tips. This is because the plant is unable to maintain hydration throughout its tissues, causing the edges to dry out first. 2. Drooping: Underwatered plants also droop, but their leaves feel dry and brittle.

How often should you water plants?

During spring and summer in Southern California, she suggests drip watering three times a week for 18 minutes, then adjusting from there if the soil is too wet or dry. Don't know how to tell? Stick your finger in the soil. If it's consistently moist 2 inches down, your plants are fine.

Can overwatered plants recover on their own?

Overwatered plants can sometimes recover on their own, but it depends on the plant and the extent of the overwatering. If the roots have rotted, the plant will likely not recover. However, if the overwatering has only caused the leaves to wilt, the plant may be able to bounce back.

Is underwatering worse than overwatering?

Is Overwatering Worse Than Underwatering? Overwatering is as equally lethal as underwatering in plants. The colossal factor is blamed on the length of exposure: the more time the soil was soggy or dry, the more a plant is likely not to survive.

What are the signs of root rot?

How to check for root rot. The main signs to look out for are: yellowing, wilting leaves, wet soil that isn't drying, black, wet roots, quickly declining health, and stunted growth.

How long does it take a plant to recover from underwatering?

When plants are under watered, they can usually recover within a few hours after receiving water. If they are overwatered, this can cause roots to rot, and the recovery process will take much longer.

How to tell the difference between overwatered and underwatered?

Overwatering means yellowing leaves, a general feeling of flop (science calls it wilting!), fuzzy soil, and a pot that feels like it could double as a weight. Underwatering shows itself with crispy leaves, that same sad droop, and bone-dry soil.

How to dry out overwatered soil?

To dry out soil quickly, you can apply hydrated lime to the soil, add compost and then turn the soil thoroughly to aerate it. Adding hydrated lime and compost will help absorb the water in your soil, and turning it all will help distribute the water in the waterlogged soil throughout your garden.

How do I know if I'm over watering my plants?

In addition to signs like wet potting mix and fungus gnats, the lower leaves of your overwatered plant will start to turn yellow, and then you may even see blackening at the base of said plant. If you see base mushiness or rot, it may be game over for your plant depending on the variety, so try to catch it early.

How do I know if my plant needs more or less water?

Yellow Leaves: When your plant's leaves start to yellow around the edges AND the soil is dry, you need to water. Yellowing in leaves can mean one of two things. One, your soil is too wet and the roots are suffocating. Or, two, your soil is too dry and the plant is starving for water.

What does a plant with not enough water look like?

When a plant doesn't get enough water, the tips and edges of leaves dry out and turn brown. Ultimately, entire leaves will brown and die. Slow growth.

What indoor plants like to be misted?

Some plants don't need extra moisture, but here are some that love it: Zebra plant (Aphelandra squarrosa), anthurium, orchids, fittonia, palms, African violet (but see next point), ferns, philodendrons, spathiphyllum, corn plant (Draceana fragrans 'Massangeana'), ctenanthe, banana, schefflera, arrowhead plant ( ...

How to revive a dying plant?

To revive the plant, you can soak it in water and then adopt a predictable watering schedule that uses the same amount of water each time. Remove dead leaves: Improper care may cause most leaves on the plant to die, and it's usually best to remove leaves that have become entirely brown.

How to water plants correctly?

If you water thoughtfully, you'll put water where your plants really need it and avoid wasting it.
  1. Water the soil, not the leaves. ...
  2. Check for soil moisture. ...
  3. Let the water soak in deeply. ...
  4. Young plants need more water. ...
  5. Trees need watering. ...
  6. Water parkway trees too. ...
  7. Spread mulch. ...
  8. Don't get stuck in a watering rut.

How to tell if soil is too wet?

Test by squeezing a handful of soil together. Open your hand out giving it a small shake as you do. If the soil mostly holds together and a few crumbs fall away then it's perfectly moist. If it holds its shape and you can infact shape it into something – way too wet.

How to tell if a plant needs sun?

Stretch - The most widespread sign that a plant is in need of more light is stem stretch. When plants begin to grow rapidly in height, producing thin stems and more space between leaves, the plant is begging for more light!

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