Missed Watering

When you fail to water your plants adequately, they will eventually wilt and die. Plants need water to grow and thrive. They take up water through their roots which allows them to engage in photosynthesis. This provides the plant with energy and nutrients to grow. Plants also use water to move nutrients from the soil up through the plant stem and into the leaves, flowers, and fruit.

Without proper water, plants cannot partake in photosynthesis or get the nutrients they need to stay healthy. Even the slightest water deficit should be rectified immediately to keep your plants thriving.

Mild Water Deficit
Symptoms

The first sign that a plant has not received enough water is that its growth will be stunted. New growth will be smaller than normal. There may also be a little wilting of the leaves.

Solution

To rectify this, give your plants a good drink by applying water at the root level. The plant should return to normal within 1 to 2 days. Then, continue to follow the suggested watering schedule.

Medium Water Deficit
Symptoms

You will start to see the leaves of the plant wilt and hang down because the cells are not getting enough moisture.

Solution

Give your plants a good soak at the root level. This should be done early in the morning or late in the afternoon when the heat of the sun has dissipated. Avoid overhead watering when your plants are situated in full sun as this can burn the leaves. Your plants should start to recover within a few hours as the roots take up the water.

For houseplants or those in containers, it’s a good idea to give them a water bath. Take your pots into the bathroom and put a couple of inches of water in the tub. Sit your plants in the tub for one or two hours. Once the leaves regain their turgor, remove the plants from the tub and let them drain.

Severe Water Deficit
Symptoms

If your plants have received no water for some time, the leaves will start to dry completely, turn brown, and fall from the plant. Eventually, the branches will also die as will the rest of the plant.

Solutions

You can try and revive a plant that has suffered a severe water deficit, by cutting off all dead wood and reducing some of the top growth. Then,give your plant a really good soak. Keep an eye on the plant to see whether it is reviving and make sure that you don’t let the soil dry out.