5 tips to save an overwatered plant

Overwatering plant
Overwatering plant (Image credit: Shutterstock)

Houseplants can really brighten up a home, and a great way to bring the outdoors in. But while they need the key elements to survive, too much water can do more harm than good. If your plants are struggling to thrive, you might need these tips to save an overwatered plant. 

Overwatering (or underwatering) is one of the most common mistakes we make in plant care. And whether we have a green thumb or not, we can mis-judge the amount of water we think our plants need — especially in hot weather or when we’re going on vacation. 

However, excessive water can literally drown or suffocate the roots, which will lead to root rot, fungal disease or worse case, a dying plant. So how do you know you’re dealing with an overwatered plant? Common signs to look out for include yellowing or browning leaves, wilting, and also the soil can look greenish from algae growth. 

Before you give up hope on your precious plants, check out these five tips to save an overwatered plant, and ensure it has a long and healthy life.  Just be sure not to make these 7 mistakes that can kill houseplants. Plus,here are 7 best low maintenance plants for easy care .

1. Take a break from watering 

A range of houseplants lined up on a shelf

A range of houseplants lined up on a shelf (Image credit: Shutterstock)

First things first, you’ll need to hold off giving it any more water. If you continue to water an already overwatered plant, this can make it waterlogged and increase the chances of root rot. You’ll need to allow the soil to dry out first, and then adjust your watering schedule. Also, refrain from using fertilizer as this may kill the damaged/weak plant. 

If there is standing water at the bottom however, you’ll need to pour it out, and be sure the pot is draining well. “Start by pouring out the excess water from the pot and let the plant dry on its own without watering it,” says Nick Wood, garden designer from GardeningExpress. “This may take a few days.” Generally, you should only begin watering when the surface of the soil is dry to the touch. 

2. Let the plant dry out 

A Cast Iron plant outside

A Cast Iron plant outside (Image credit: Shutterstock)

Allow overwatered plants to naturally dry out. Ideally, move these planters to a shady area, since the roots are unable to take up enough water to keep your plant hydrated. “While letting your plant dry make sure to bring it into the shade because overwatered plants struggle to transport water to the upper parts which can cause the top of the plant to dry out.” 

In addition, plants in shaded locations tend to use less water. It’s also advisable to gently tap the sides of the pot with your hands or a small trowel to loosen the plant and soil. By loosening the soil and roots, this can help to create air pockets that will speed up the drying process. Bear in mind, drying your plant might take a few days, but you can move the plant back in the sun once its conditions have normalized. 

3. Repot the plant 

Repotting houseplant

Repotting houseplant (Image credit: Shutterstock)

Once dry, it can be beneficial to repot the plant, to improve soil conditions and help it thrive from overwatering.

“It’s beneficial to re-pot the plant into a better soil mix and a pot that has proper drainage holes,” suggests Wood, “Before repotting, remove the old soil and trim away the rotten roots that are brown and have a bad smell.”

It’s recommended to repot the plant in a mix of free-draining compost with extra ingredients of perlite or grid added to boost drainage. “You should also trim any yellow or wilted leaves, as they won't recover and this energy can be directed to healthier parts of the plant. When you first re-pot the plant, pour water over the soil to moisten it, after that only water when the soil feels dry.” 

Just be sure to avoid these 9 mistakes you make when repotting a plant to avoid making the problem worse! 

4. Re-locate the plant 

A peace lily in a wicker basket on a floor next to curtains

A peace lily in a wicker basket on a floor next to curtains  (Image credit: Shutterstock)

It’s always best to move your overwatered plant into a shady area. And while it might seem like common sense to move the plant into the sunniest areas to keep dry, this might cause more damage. 

An overwatered plant will struggle to move water to its upper leaves/flowers. So there is a greater risk of leaves drying out due to evaporation in constant sunlight. 

Once you relocate the plant to a shady spot, it’s best to remove any flowers or fruits towards the top, so that it can focus its energy into the main root system and recovery.

5. Give it more airflow 

A ZZ plant on a table against a wall with limited light

A ZZ plant on a table against a wall with limited light (Image credit: Shutterstock)

Another good tip for helping an overwatered plant dry out is to increase the airflow. Ideally, lift the plant out of the pot, lay it out on a rack or suitable surface to air dry the soil around the root ball. 

The extra airflow can help to reduce excess moisture, and can help to dry out soil. Once dried, the root ball can go back into the pot again. This might also be a good opportunity to cut away any bad roots with one of the best pruning shears. Typically, unhealthy roots are brown or black in color, while healthy roots will be white and thin.  

If all is well, you should start to see an improvement within a week or two. Once the plant seems to be thriving again, you can move it into a sunny area, and use fertilizer again.

Tips for watering plants 

Self-watering bulbs for plants

Self-watering bulbs for plants (Image credit: Shutterstock)

Only water a plant when the top layer is dry to the touch. Alternatively, you could invest in a moisture meter like this XLUX Long Probe Deep Use Soil Moisture Meter ($12, Amazon), to indicate when it’s the right time to water plants. 

If possible, lift the plant pot and judge its weight. After a few times, this will indicate whether the pot feels heavy with water.

Ensure your pots have proper drainage holes at the bottom. This will easily allow plants to drain water, and not become waterlogged. 

Use self-watering bulbs or planters. Self-watering bulbs in particular, are made from high-quality glass and can hold up to 150 ml of water. Simply fill the bulb with water, make a small hollow in the soil, and insert the bulb next to the plant at an angle of 60 to 75 degrees. Watering bulbs like this Miles Kimball Plant Watering Globes Set of 6 ($18, Amazon), for indoor plants are ideal for watering for seven days.  

More from Tom's Guide

TOPICS
Cynthia Lawrence
Content Editor, Homes

As the Homes Content Editor, Cynthia Lawrence covers all things homes, interior decorating, and garden-related. She has a wealth of editorial experience testing the latest, ‘must-have’ home appliances, writing buying guides and the handy ‘how to’ features. 

Her work has been published in various titles including, T3, Top Ten Reviews, Ideal Home, Real Homes, Livingetc. and House Beautiful, amongst many.

With a rather unhealthy obsession for all things homes and interiors, she also has an interior design blog for style inspiration and savvy storage solutions (get rid of that clutter!). When she’s not testing cool products, she’ll be searching online for more decor ideas to spruce up her family home or looking for a great bargain!

Read more
Houseplants arranged by a window
5 houseplant hacks that are totally free and actually work, according to experts
Philodendron cuttings in water
5 easy houseplants to grow from cuttings — expert advice on increasing the greenery in your home
Nerve plant houseplant
New Year, new houseplants: An expert guide on adding greenery to your home in 2025
Perspn wearing gardening gloves pruning hydrangeas
5 plants to prune in February for healthy spring growth
Spring flowers
Don’t make these 7 bulb planting mistakes — and what to do instead
Poinsetta
What to do with a poinsettia after Christmas
Latest in Home
a photograph of the dreame h12 pro wet and dry vacuum cleaner cleaning up spilled cheerios on a hardwood floor with an amazon spring sales deals badge
I loathe spring cleaning — but these awesome Amazon Big Spring Sale vacuum deals might make me change my mind
Corsori 9-in-1 air fryer
I use this air fryer every day — and it's 25% off now for Amazon’s Big Spring Sale
Shark HydroVac MessMaster floor cleaner
My favorite Shark wet and dry vacuum just crashed in price for Amazon’s Big Spring Sale
Person using the Command Clear Hooks to organize cables
I use these Command sticky wall strips to hang pictures and organize cables — and they're 34% off right now in Amazon's Big Spring Sale
EcoSmart Universal Select lightbulb, Home Depot sign and Traeger Woodridge Pro pellet smoker
I just got a sneak peek of hundreds of new Home Depot products for spring — here’s the 5 I’d buy
A mosquito resting on a plant
Experts predict a spring surge in these 9 pest populations — here's what's forecast for your area
Latest in How To
An image of an iPhone screen showing the Safari app icon in the center
I got tired of Safari revealing my web searches in iOS 18.4 — this setting fixes that
Gmail logo on iPhone
I used Google Gemini to declutter my Gmail account — here's how you can do it too
An Amazon Echo speaker with ChatGPT logo next to it
I replaced Alexa with ChatGPT on my Amazon Echo — here's how you can do it too
AirPods Pro 2 in hand
Your earbuds are disgusting — here's the right way to clean them
ChatGPT logo on a smartphone screen being held outside
7 biggest ChatGPT mistakes — and how to fix them
a photo of a woman looking at her fitness tracker
Forget the treadmill — I boosted my metabolism and walked 2,000 steps with this 15-minute workout