If you’re a houseplant killer, it might not be because you don’t have a green thumb, but rather that you don’t know how to water your plants. Overwatering and root rot is the most common cause of houseplant death, but you can avoid it using this tried and true houseplant watering method. I’ve been using this method for years and haven’t lost a plant to root rot since.
What Is Root Rot?
If a plant is left in dense, wet soil for an extended period of time, it might develop the condition called root rot. Root rot occurs when excess moisture causes a deadly fungal infection deep beneath your soil. Symptoms of root rot can include yellow leaves that droop and brown, mushy roots that have an odor to them.
Remove your plant from the soil to check the roots. If you find that your plant has been sitting in wet soil and is infected with root rot, repot in fresh soil immediately after trimming infected roots.
Root rot is never fun to deal with, so keep reading below to learn the correct way to water houseplants in the first place!
The Right Way To Water Houseplants
First, determine if your plant needs a watering. Depending on the variety of plant, you’ll need to water when the first two inches of soil have dried out. I stick my finger into the soil to check moisture levels often! It’s truly the best way.
After you have determined if your plant needs water, you can start watering. Though most plants aren’t picky, some plants (like Dracenas) can’t filter out minerals in tap water. This will cause brown leaves. It’s best to use filtered rainwater or bottled water on your plants. When watering, make sure that water drains out of the hole completely. This will ensure that the plant is evenly watered throughout. Drain any excess water from the saucer, as standing water will cause root rot.
Sometimes, if the soil is too dry, the water may drain straight through before the plant can absorb. If this is the case, water slowly over the course of an hour, letting the water dribble through each time.
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