Overwatered plants: how to save them (Rescue guide)

Key points to remember

✔️ It is possible to save a plant that has been over-watered.
✔️ Dry the substrate or repot so that the roots can breathe.
✔️ Don't fertilize your plant and keep it in the shade until it starts growing again.

Back from vacation, it's a shock: your neighbor's hand is heavy and your jungle looks like a swamp. Yellow leaves, limp stems... Your plant has been over-watered and is drowning. But don't panic! Here are the first-aid measures you can take to save your plant's life.

How do I know if my plant has been over-watered?

Falling foliage is often the result of over-watering - Photo by Scot Nelson / FlickrLike

drought, over-watering can be fatal to plants. When there's too much water in the soil, there' s no room for oxygen. Roots rot and, if you do nothing to save them, your plant could die.

Before intervening, you need to check whether your plant is suffering from excess water. There are several signs that indicate over-watering:

Leaves turn yellow or brown;
Foliage is limp, withered and drooping;
The stem is limp.

Yellow leaves are also a symptom of poor exposure or lack of water. To confirm your diagnosis, examine the soil. Several signs indicate excess water:

The rootball is very moist to the touch;
The soil has turned to mud;
Puddles have formed on the surface;
Moss and algae are growing at the foot of your plant.

Excessive water attracts pests such as soil midges and mealy bugs. Excessive humidity also encourages the development of fungi. If you spot them on the stem, leaves or surface of the pot, there's no doubt about it: you've drowned your plant.

Are very drought-resistant, but particularly vulnerable to over-watering. The faster their soil dries out, the better these plants recover. To speed up the process, place a sheet of paper towel under or around the root ball.

After a few hours in the shade and in the open air, the soil will be dry. You can then return the plant to its container. This technique avoids the stress of repotting. But it is sometimes insufficient.

Intervention level 2: Repot if the soil is too soggy

Exceptionally, you can remove all the soil from the roots before repotting. Photo by Scot Nelson / Flickr

Is the soil completely saturated with water? Is the soil infested with fungi, moss and algae? Did you notice root rot when you took your plant out of its pot? Then you're going to have to pull out all the stops.

Cut off rotten roots

Once you've removed the plant from its pot, carefully remove the soil with your fingers. It's better to throw it away and not reuse it. It may be harbouring parasites, or the excess water may have washed away all the nutrients.

Once the roots are bare, observe them. You'll easily recognize rotten roots:

They're brown and soft;
They smell like rotten eggs or sulfur;
They are covered in mould.

You need to cut them off so they don't contaminate healthy roots. Using clean, sharp shears or scissors, remove the damaged part. Has the entire root system been affected? It's probably too late to save your plant. You can still cut the roots flush and replant. Botany works in mysterious ways, and miracles do happen from time to time.

Prune damaged parts

Prune yellow or brown leaves and stems. They won't grow back and no longer contribute to photosynthesis. This will also help your plant to grow again.

Repot

Once you've finished pruning, repot into a pierced pot. You can line the bottom with clay pebbles or gravel to improve drainage (to find out more, see our article: Gardening: do I need a drainage layer?).

Pour in a layer of potting soil suited to the requirements of your green plant. If you're wondering which one to use, consult our growing guides. Place your specimen in the center and add substrate. Stop two or three centimetres below the edge? That way, water won't overflow during watering.

Water your plant. Yes, I know. We said at the beginning that you should stop watering. But watering is essential after repotting. It makes rooting easier. Water generously, to moisten all the soil. When the water runs out through the drainage holes, stop. Let the water drain off before placing your pot back on its saucer. Check the saucer 20 minutes later. If it contains water, empty it.

After the rescue

After a few days in the shade, your plant will be back in all its glory

At this point, you've done all you can to save your over-watered plant. Now all you have to do is wait for it to recover.

Keep your plant in the shade until new shoots appear. When leaves or buds appear, you can reinstall it in a sunny or semi-shady spot, if that's what it prefers. You can also remove the shade cloth for plants in the ground.

After rescue, your plant remains vulnerable. Don't fertilize it. Fertilizing may cause additional stress. What's more, if you've repotted, the new substrate is rich in nutrients and there's no need to fertilize for the next month. Have you kept the same potting soil? Wait until growth resumes before starting to fertilize.

On the other hand, don't wait for the new leaves to appear before giving your plant a drink! Touch up the soil a few days after rescue. If the first two or three centimetres are still damp, don't do anything. Water only when the soil surface is dry. As after repotting, don't allow water to stagnate in the saucer or planter.

What should I do if my garden is flooded?

In the open ground, too, plants can fall victim to overwatering - Photo by Beatrice Murch / Flickr

Over-watering mainly concerns potted plants, whether in the house or outdoors. In the open ground, water flows naturally and is captured by the water table. However, in the event of heavy rain or flooding, your garden can be drowned. All is not lost, however. Trees, shrubs and other plants can survive for a few days, even when submerged.

Wait until the water has completely receded before taking action. Resist the temptation to visit your plants, even if only a few centimetres of water remain. Walking on soggy ground can pack the soil and worsen its condition.

Once the water is gone, head for the vegetable garden to harvest any fruit and vegetables that can be saved. Pick the others too, so that the rot doesn't spread to other plants and your crops as a whole.

For roses, japanese Camellias and other flowering plants, it all depends on the extent of the damage. Cut off wilted flowers, leaves and rotting stems to prevent the spread of disease. Then examine the plant to see if it has survived. You may need to uproot the plant to see the roots. As long as they're healthy, there's still hope. Do some radical pruning to preserve what's still alive and help your plant resume growth.

Would you like to move your oleander to the top of a mound to protect it? Your lettuces are drowned and it's not too late to sow new ones? Allow at least three weeks after removing the water to replant. That's how long it takes for the soil to recover from its muddy state and become dry again, ready for your crops.

Ten tips to avoid over-watering plants

These tips and tricks will help you avoid drowning your plant a second time.

1- Always use a perforated pot. Holes are essential for drainage. Without them, excess water cannot drain away. The soil becomes waterlogged and your plant drowns.

2- Choose a terracotta pot rather than a plastic one. Clay is porous and lets the soil breathe. If you water too much, the substrate will dry out more quickly and the roots will be less likely to rot.

3- Avoid planters, especially if they're too narrow. They prevent air circulation and increase humidity levels.

4- After watering, empty the water stagnating in the cup or planter. If your pot is too big to handle, fill the bottom of the planter or saucer with clay balls. They'll absorb any excess water.

5- Download theMonstera application. We'll send you a reminder when it's time to water your plant.

6- Touch the soil before watering your plant. Only a few species, such as dionaea muscipula or papyrus, like very moist soil. For other varieties, wait for the surface of the soil to dry at least a centimetre before watering.

7- Don't ask just anyone to water your houseplants. If you're going to be away and don't have a gardening pro on hand, opt for a drip system, water reserve or watering gel.

8- Outside heatwaves, don't water in the evening. It's harder for the substrate to dry out at night and when temperatures drop.

9- In the garden, install a rainwater collector and create a lost well to limit the amount of water stagnating on your plot.

10- Outside, you can dig trenches to facilitate water drainage and spare your flowerbeds and some of your plants.

Frequently asked questions about over-watered plants

What are the signs of an over-watered plant?

An over-watered plant quickly shows signs of stress, often mistaken for a lack of water. The most common symptoms are

Yellowing, soft or translucent leaves;
Foliage that falls off when the soil is damp;
Stems that become limp or blacken at the base;
A musty smell coming from the substrate;
The presence of mold or algae on the soil surface.

In the long term, excess water asphyxiates roots and promotes root rot, preventing the plant from absorbing nutrients properly.

Is it possible to save a plant that has been over-watered?

Yes, it is often possible to save an over-watered plant, provided you act quickly. If the roots are not completely rotted and the plant still retains healthy parts, it can recover.

The sooner excess water is corrected, the greater the chances of recovery. On the other hand, if the roots are predominantly black, soft and give off a strong odour, recovery becomes difficult, if not impossible.