{{Short description|Common cause of death in houseplants}} '''Overwatering''' is a phenomenon that often happens in houseplants due to excessive watering, so this excess water can often deplete oxygen from the soil and encourage the growth of harmful bacteria and fungi<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=2024-03-21 |title=Plant Care 101: How to Fix an Overwatered Plant |url=https://birdysplants.com/blogs/news/overwatering-in-plant-care |access-date=2025-07-31 |website=BIRDY'S PLANTS |language=en}}</ref>
== Symptoms == Overwatering often causes plants to have: * Yellow or brown leaves that have started to droop<ref>{{Cite web |last=Pangborn |first=Lindsay |date=2022-01-15 |title=5 Telltale Signs of Overwatered Plants |url=https://bloomscape.com/plant-care/telltale-signs-of-overwatered-plants-according-to-plant-mom/ |access-date=2025-07-31 |website=Bloomscape |language=en-US}}</ref> * Shedding leaves that are both new and old<ref>{{Cite web |last=MacArthur |first=Amanda |date=2025-07-25 |title=How to Identify an Overwatered Plant |url=https://foodgardening.mequoda.com/daily/watering-irrigation/how-to-identify-an-overwatered-plant/ |access-date=2025-07-31 |website=Food Gardening Network |language=en-US}}</ref> * Multiple brown spots and mold on them<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-01-11 |title=10 Signs You're Overwatering Your Plants |url=https://thegreeneast.co.uk/blogs/news/10-signs-you-re-overwatering-your-plants |access-date=2025-07-31 |website=The Green East |language=en}}</ref> * Their soil seems to have a foul odor<ref name=":0"/> * Grey, foul smelling and mushy leaves<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=Plant 101: Signs of Overwatering your Indoor Plant |url=https://www.livelyroot.com/blogs/plant-care/plant-101-signs-of-overwatering |access-date=2025-07-31 |website=Lively Root |language=en}}</ref>
== Cures == The main method of fixing a plant that has been overwatered is to ensure there are enough drainage holes in the pot to let excess water out of the soil.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2018-08-15 |title=How to Rescue Overwatered Plants {{!}} BrightView |url=https://www.brightview.com/resources/article/how-rescue-overwatered-plants |access-date=2025-07-31 |website=www.brightview.com |language=en}}</ref> It is also recommended to trim off any leaves or roots that are dead, mushy, or wilting.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-07-29 |title=Save Your Overwatered Plants in 4 Easy Steps |url=https://jimsmowing.com.au/2021/07/save-your-overwatered-plants-in-4-easy-steps-3/ |access-date=2025-07-31 |website=Jim's Mowing Australia |language=en-AU}}</ref>
== References == {{Reflist}}
Category:Gardening