Water pools around plants when tha soil is overly compacted and when its composition is too high in clay and too low in organic material. If this is a potted plant I suggest you take it out of this pot and replace as much of the planting medium as possible with a high quality “potting mix" soil….
Aerate Your Lawn
The simplest strategy you can try if there are parts of your yard that stay wet too long is to aerate your lawn. Aerating reduces compaction in the soil so that water can percolate through it faster.
Hydrophobic soil occurs when a waxy residue builds up on the soil particles resulting in it repelling water rather than absorbing it. It is most common in sandy soils, dried out potting mix and soils containing unrotted organic matter. You can identify hydrophobic soil by watering it.
Hard-packed clay soils and even garden soils can become crusted and resist wetting, letting water run off instead of absorbing it. To re-wet, repeatedly sprinkle the surface lightly, making sure there is no run off. Covering the surface with a mulch such as straw, leaves, wood chips, or compost will also help.
If you're watering your plant every week but the soil still is dry and feels rock solid, you likely have hydrophobic soil. You might notice the water glide over the surface of the dirt, down the side of the pot and out the drainage hole. Sometimes this can indicate your plant needs repotting.
The most obvious signs of waterlogged soil is an increased wetness and a soggy texture. Having large puddles on the surface is another indication that the soil is waterlogged. However, if there is consistent rainfall in your area, it can be hard to identify whether your garden has overwatering issues.
Browning edges: Another symptom that can go both ways. Determine which by feeling the leaf showing browning: if it feels crispy and light, it is underwatered. If it feels soft and limp, it is overwatered. Yellowing leaves: Usually accompanied by new growth falling, yellow leaves are an indication of overwatering.
A great option is to place your pot in a bowl or container of water where the water comes halfway up the pot. Then water your potting mix from the top, leave this for a while and then repeat. If you do this several times you should notice the soil absorbing water.
A key practice for improving soil drainage is incorporating organic matter like compost or well-rotted manure. Organic matter improves soil structure by increasing soil aggregation which allows for more and varied pore sizes. Soil aggregates are groups of mineral particles that bind together.
Adding organic matter and clay soil, together with a wetting agent, can improve the absorption of water, as both of these materials hold water well. Compost increases the level of micro-organisms in the soil that eat away at the waxy coating.
Basically, the water can't drain away fast enough. This happens when more rain falls than the soil can absorb or evaporate into the air. This can happen with an intense period of rainfall such as summer storms. You may live in a heavy rainfall area and have a seasonal problem.
To help the soil settle and make even better contact with the roots, water well. Another way to plant is to 'puddle in'. This method floods the planting hole so soil is drawn down with the water, making good contact with the rootball.
Peat helps soil retain water. Use a blend that provides the right combination of drainage and water retention for healthy growth. If your containers seem to need water multiple times throughout the day, consider a water retaining soil additive. These products soak up water then release it slowly back into the soil.
A common problem with bottom watering is the buildup of excess salt on the soil or sides of clay pots. This happens over time when tap water is used instead of distilled or filtered water.
The Importance Of Soil Drainage In Your Garden
The essential element in well-drained soil is oxygen, which is just as important as water in growing healthy plants. Soil that is water-logged does not drain well and is anaerobic (oxygen deficient) resulting in drowned and rotted roots.
That potting soil is worn out because the peat moss has decomposed. That peat moss can decompose even if you never take it out of the bag. If your potting soil has been sitting in your shed since last year in an opened bag and it's gotten wet, toss it.
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.
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).
Underwatering plants causes dry leaves, brown tips, leaf drop, wilting, and leaf curling. The soil will feel dry, but the plant will improve after watering. Overwatering causes yellowing leaves, brown tips, wilting despite wet soil, and also symptoms of underwatering if root rot has started.
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.
Water, along with soil and light, is one of the three essential elements needed to help plants grow healthy and strong. Rainwater and tap water are only two of many different kinds of water that can be used to help plants grow—and stay—healthy.