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While striving to care for plants effectively, we often make the mistake of overwatering them. This typically happens with potted plants, where water accumulates around the roots, preventing proper drainage. Unfortunately, plants can drown and die if overwatered, but the good news is that you can rescue waterlogged plants before it's too late by drying out their roots.
Steps
Identifying Waterlogged Plants
Check if the leaves have turned pale or yellow. When plants suffer from waterlogging, their leaves start to lose color. Observe if the leaves have faded from green to pale or yellowish tones. You may also notice blotches of yellow spreading across the leaves.
Note: This occurs because photosynthesis does not function normally when the plant is waterlogged. This means the plant cannot absorb the necessary nutrients.
Pay attention if the plant is not growing or shows brown spots. When waterlogged, the plant's roots are unable to supply water to the upper parts of the plant. Furthermore, the plant cannot absorb nutrients from the soil. This means the plant will wilt and eventually die. Check if the plant is not producing new leaves, or if the branches and leaves are gradually dying off.
- Plants can also die from lack of water, so if you're unsure whether you're overwatering or underwatering, it's likely overwatering that’s causing the issue.
Look for mold or moss around the plant's base or on the soil surface. When there is excess water in the plant pot, you may notice green moss or thin white or black mold forming on the soil surface or around the base of the plant. This is a clear sign that the plant is waterlogged.
- You may see mold or moss in small patches or spreading. Any mold or moss growth is a concerning sign.
Smell for any unpleasant moldy odors. If water has been sitting around the plant's roots for too long, they will begin to rot. When this happens, the roots will emit a foul odor. You can lean down close to the soil and take a sniff to detect any rotten smell.
- If the roots are just beginning to rot, or if they are deep underground, you might not notice the smell of decay.
Check the drainage holes at the bottom of the pot. If the plant pot lacks drainage holes, it's highly likely the plant is waterlogged due to water pooling at the bottom. It’s best to remove the plant from the pot and check if the roots are rotting. You can also drill holes at the bottom of the pot or transfer the plant to another pot with drainage holes.
- You can drill holes in a plastic pot using a knife or screwdriver. Carefully poke the bottom of the pot with a knife or screwdriver.
- If the pot is made of clay or ceramic, it's best not to try drilling holes, as this could cause the pot to crack or break.
Drying the Plant's Roots
Stop watering while waiting for the plant to dry. Cease watering the plant if you suspect it is waterlogged; otherwise, the situation will worsen. Do not add more water to the pot until you are certain that the roots and soil are dry.
- This process could take several days, so don't worry if the plant isn't watered for a few days.
Move the plant to a shaded area to protect the upper leaves. When waterlogged, the plant has difficulty transporting water to the higher leaves. This means the top of the plant can dry out if left in direct sunlight. To save the plant, move it to a shaded spot.
- Once the situation stabilizes, you can return the plant to a sunny location.
Tap the sides of the pot to loosen the soil from the roots. Use your hands or a small trowel to gently tap the sides of the pot from various angles to loosen the soil from the roots. This will create air pockets to help the roots dry.
- Additionally, tapping the pot will make it easier to remove the plant from the pot.
Slide the plant out of the pot to inspect the roots and help them dry faster. While it is not necessary to remove the plant from the pot, it is recommended. This will help the plant dry quicker, and you can also take this opportunity to repot it in a container with better drainage. To remove the plant, hold the base of the stem just above the soil, then gently flip the pot and shake it until the root ball slides out.
- When removing the plant, you will be holding it upside down.
Dùng tay bóc lớp đất cũ để quan sát bộ rễ. Nhẹ tay bóp vỡ lớp đất cho rời ra khỏi rễ cây. Dùng tay phủi đất nhẹ nhàng để khỏi làm hư hại rễ.
- Vứt bỏ đất nếu bạn thấy có dấu hiệu mốc hoặc rêu vì nó sẽ làm ô nhiễm cây nếu bạn sử dụng lại. Tương tự, bạn cũng cần vứt bỏ đất nếu thấy có mùi thối rữa, vì rất có thể trong đó có chứa rễ thối.
- Nếu đất trông có vẻ sạch, bạn có thể sử dụng lại. Tuy nhiên, tốt nhất là bạn nên dùng đất trồng cây mới để đảm bảo an toàn.
Dùng kéo hoặc kìm tỉa cây cắt bớt những phần rễ mục màu nâu. Rễ cây khỏe mạnh sẽ có màu trắng và rắn chắc, trong khi rễ mục sẽ mềm và có màu nâu hoặc đen. Bạn có thể dùng kéo hoặc kìm tỉa cây để cắt hết các phần rễ mục và chừa lại phần rễ khỏe mạnh.
- Nếu hầu như toàn bộ rễ cây đã mục, có lẽ bạn không thể cứu được cây. Tuy nhiên, bạn có thể thử cắt tỉa rễ đến sát gốc và trồng lại xem sao.
Bạn có biết? Rễ cây đang hoại mục sẽ có mùi thối rữa. Nếu bạn không cắt bỏ các phần rễ mục thì cây sẽ chết dần.
Dùng kìm tỉa cây hoặc kéo cắt bỏ các lá và cành chết. Cắt các cành lá màu nâu và khô trước. Nếu đã cắt bỏ nhiều rễ, bạn cũng cần cắt bớt một số phần khỏe mạnh của cây. Bắt đầu tỉa từ ngọn cây và loại bỏ vừa đủ lá và cành sao cho các phần khác của cây còn lại không quá gấp đôi kích thước bộ rễ.
- Nếu không chắc cần phải cắt tỉa cây bao nhiêu là đủ, bạn cứ bỏ đi số cành lá tương đương với số rễ bị cắt bỏ.
Trồng lại cây vào chậu
Transfer the plant to a pot with drainage holes and a water-catching tray. Purchase a plant pot with small drainage holes at the bottom to allow water to escape. This will prevent water from accumulating around the roots and causing root rot. If your pot doesn’t come with a tray, find a water-catching tray to place under the pot. The tray will catch excess water and prevent spills on the surface where the pot is placed.
- Some plant pots come with a built-in tray. If so, make sure to check the drainage holes, as these trays cannot be removed.
Tip: If your current pot has drainage holes, you can replant the plant into the same pot. However, you should clean the pot thoroughly with mild soap to remove any rotting parts of the plant, mold, and moss.
Place a 2.5-5 cm layer of mulch at the bottom of the pot with drainage holes. While not mandatory, adding a layer of mulch at the bottom of the pot will help prevent waterlogging. Simply place a 2.5-5 cm thick layer of mulch at the bottom without packing it down tightly.
- The mulch will allow water to drain faster, preventing root rot.
Add more soil around the plant if necessary. You’ll need to add new soil if you’ve removed soil contaminated with mold or moss or if the new pot is larger than the old one. Fill the new pot with fresh soil around the roots, then top up the pot with soil up to the base of the plant. Gently pat the surface to ensure the plant stays upright.
- If needed, you can sprinkle extra soil after pressing the soil around the plant. Avoid leaving the roots exposed.
Water the plant only when the top layer of soil feels dry to the touch. Water to moisten the soil after planting the plant into the pot. After the first watering, check the soil before watering again to ensure it is dry, which indicates the plant needs water. When watering, aim directly at the soil to reach the plant’s roots.
- Morning watering is ideal because the sunlight will help the plant dry faster.
Tips
- Read plant care instructions to ensure you water the right amount. Some plants require very little water, which can easily lead to waterlogging.
Things You’ll Need
- Shady area
- Pot with drainage holes
- Water-catching tray for the pot
- Fresh planting soil
- Mesh support rack
- Spray bottle
- Small pruning shears or scissors
- Small trowel or spade (optional)
- Mulch (optional)
- Water
