Excess water collects in the bottom of the pot, so even if the top soil feels dry, the roots might be soaking wet. This leads to overwatering - which is the most common issue for plants without drainage holes.
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.
The potted plants die when they are overwatered because the roots will not get enough oxygen to breathe as water fills up the airspaces present between the soil particles. This will cause decaying of the root and ultimately the plant dies.
1. 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.
Early in spring when your plants are smaller and the temperatures are lower you may only have to water every 3 or 4 days. As the plants get larger and the mercury creeps higher be prepared to water every day, with small pots or water “pigs” you might even have to water twice a day.
Signs of root rot are slow growth, mushy stems, and wilting, yellow, distorted leaves (especially when the plant has been well watered, as wilting leaves can also be a sign of a dry plant).
Lack of drainage can be fatal to your plant, and it's one of the most common reasons for unhealthy and dying plants. If your plant has been overwatered due to the lack of drainage holes, you should repot your plant as soon as possible.
Using a hairdryer directly on the soil is an easy way of removing that excess moisture easily. However, there are some things to take into consideration when doing so. When directed at the soil the dryer will only remove the moisture from the surface having the rest of the soil wet.
The key is to be patient. Keep tending to your plant for a few weeks and then reevaluate. “Once you've taken steps to revive a dying plant, it can take up to a month before you start to see an improvement or new growth, so don't give up on it too soon,” says Valentino.
Watering container plants.
Pots absorb heat, which can stress plant roots, and the soil in them dries out much faster than soil in the ground. Container plants generally need to be watered daily. During really hot weather, you may need to even water twice a day, especially smaller containers.
So the ice cube trick is a simple solution that provides a safe way to prevent overwatering, by stopping excess water from gathering around the roots. This helps keep root rot away and your plants healthy and happy.
What you can do is cut back any dying leaves or stems. Leave at least a few leaves to absorb and process sunlight. Be sure the plant has good drainage out of the bottom of its container. When it springs back to life and you see new growth, then consider a general water-soluble fertilizer to help it along.
You can either go for the bath method and bottom water, or thoroughly top water. I prefer to give plants a bath (bottom water) as step one, a day or two before I repot, then I like to thoroughly top water drench after repotting, as top watering also helps flush out excess dirt and silt from the new substrate.
A yellow leaf has lost its chlorophyll (pigment) and it can't turn green again even after you correct the problem. Don't worry, if the plant regains its health, it's possible that new leaves will fill in during the next growing season. Growing plants is always a matter of patience.
Hydrogen peroxide can help to control fungal growth and fungal infection, such as root rot, by preventing the growth of fungi. It can also help kill fungus and bacteria on plant roots.
The best time to water is early in the morning when it's still cool, which preps the plants for a hot day, but that's not always easy to accomplish with a busy schedule. The second-best time is late in the afternoon or early evening.
As for the leaves that still have brown tips, you can snip the dead parts away with a pair of scissors without hurting the plant. For some plants that have long, strap-like foliage, such as dracaena or spider plant, make your cuts at an angle to imitate the natural shape of the leaves.
The best time to water plants is in the morning or evening.
Morning watering is actually preferable to evening watering as the plant has time to dry before the sun goes down. At night, water tends to rest in the soil, around the roots, and on the foliage, which encourages rot, fungal growth, and insects.
One of the quickest, first signs of overwatering your plants is to observe occurs at the tip of the leaf. If the tip of the leaf is turning brown this is a sign of overwatering. Too little water will result in your plant's leaves feeling dry and crispy to the touch while too much water results in soft and limp leaves.