Container gardening is enjoyable, convenient, and an excellent way to add vibrant color to your porch or balcony. However, you’ll eventually start losing your plants if you commit one common error, even if you’re using top-quality soil and fertilizer. The mistake in question is overwatering, which can lead to issues like root rot, compaction, and dilution of fertilizer. It’s an issue you want to address swiftly. After all, you don’t want to waste good fertilizer or harm all of your plants.
Just like insufficient watering, excessive watering can damage your potted plants in multiple ways. If the soil feels very dry to the touch, you might be tempted to pour an entire gallon of water into the container, but this won’t benefit your plant. Remember that different plants have varying watering requirements. What’s sufficient for one plant might be excessive for another. This is also important to consider when combining different plants in one container. Any plants housed together should have similar watering needs. Otherwise, one of them will either receive too little or too much water.
Additionally, location matters. Plants kept in shaded areas like a gazebo require less irrigation compared to those exposed to all-day sun. It’s all about understanding your plants and tailoring the amount of water accordingly.
Why overwatering is bad for your potted plants
Overwatering your plants has significant consequences, with the primary concern being root rot. This is particularly true if your container lacks drainage holes (although you can easily add them to your plant pots). The water essentially remains in the soil with no outlet, inviting pests and diseases. Harmful pathogens like pythium and rhizoctonia thrive in damp soil. Even if you have gravel and rocks at the soil’s bottom, poor drainage combined with overwatering can lead to disaster.
You’ll notice root rot in your potted plants when they begin to wilt, their leaves turn yellow, and growth slows down. When the soil becomes waterlogged, the roots start to die because they can’t absorb the necessary oxygen, eventually causing root damage. The issue is that many people misinterpret these symptoms as a lack of water, when, in fact, it’s the opposite. Consequently, they add more water, exacerbating the problem.
Another problem with overwatering — and the reason you might be wasting your fertilizer — is that nutrients are washed away before the plant can absorb them. This can lead to nutrient deficiency, hindering healthy growth. Remember, fertilizer is most effective when the roots have ample time to absorb it. So, if you’re wondering why the high-quality fertilizer you purchased isn’t working, there’s your answer. Moreover, waterlogged soil eventually becomes compacted, further hindering drainage and suffocating roots.
How to avoid overwatering your potted plants
As watering needs vary from one plant to another, it’s best to water them individually based on their specific needs rather than following a uniform schedule. You should also consider humidity, rainfall, and temperature levels. For instance, higher humidity and rainfall mean less frequent watering is required. Naturally, you may need to adjust your watering schedule from season to season to accommodate weather changes.
Meanwhile, you can always check if your plant needs water by inserting your finger into the soil. If the soil is still slightly moist, your plant doesn’t need watering yet. If you’re unsure about when to water your plant, a moisture meter can be useful. Simply insert the meter into the soil, and it will indicate the moisture level. Some moisture sensors even offer smart features that notify you when the moisture level falls below the required threshold. This way, you can water your plant precisely when it needs it, rather than randomly watering and hoping for the best.
If your plants are in direct sunlight for several hours, you might notice that they wilt but return to normal at night. This temporary wilting is natural and doesn’t necessarily indicate the need for watering, especially if the soil is still damp from recent watering. When it is finally time to water your plants, ensure that the water reaches all the way to the roots. This encourages the roots to grow deeper, making your plants more drought-resistant, which means you won’t need to water them as frequently. In other words, deep watering is more beneficial than shallow, frequent watering.
