Overwatering kills more houseplants than underwatering (10 Mistakes Every Plant Parent Makes)

By Rachel Green

So, I thought I’d give plant parenting a shot during the endless months of lockdown. I’m sure many of you did too, right? Nothing says “I’m a responsible adult” quite like bringing home greenery, only to find yourself knee-deep in what feels like a botanical disaster zone. After a year of nurturing (and occasionally mourning) over 60 houseplants, I’ve gathered a handful of tips that might just help you avoid some of my less-than-stellar moments. Here’s what I’ve learned:
  1. Water Wisely: The first thing I did was drown my plants. Seriously, I was convinced they’d thrive with daily watering. Spoiler alert: they didn’t. Overwatering is a silent killer. Now, I stick to a routine of watering once a week. For instance, my pothos now gives me passive-aggressive droops when it’s thirsty, and it’s a beautiful reminder not to overdo it.
  2. Light, Light, and More Light: The placement of your plants can be critical. I once hid a lovely fern in a dim corner to match my decor (who doesn’t love aesthetic?), only to find it sulking in defeat within weeks. Most plants enjoy bright, indirect sunlight. Nowadays, I’ve turned a sunny windowsill into a jungle, and my plants have never looked happier.
  3. Time to Dust Off: Dust settles on leaves like bad advice at family gatherings—often, and annoyingly. Every couple of weeks, I give my plants a gentle wipe-down. Not only does it make them happier, but it’s also strangely therapeutic. It’s become an excuse for me to step away from my screen for a while. Who knew houseplant hygiene could be my new relaxation technique?
  4. Feed the Green Monsters: Don’t skimp on plant food, but also don’t overdo it. I learned this the hard way after nearly sending my peace lily into a nutrient overdose last spring. Now, I fertilize about every three months, keeping a close eye out for signs that it’s time. It turns out they’re not the picky eaters I thought!
  5. ⚠️Pet-Proof Your Plants: If you have pets, you might want to do some research before bringing home that exotic beauty. I once had a curious cat who thought my snake plant was a new toy. A quick search revealed it was toxic to her! Thankfully, I managed to relocate the plant before a disaster occurred, but it taught me to be more cautious.
  6. Repotting Takes Patience: It was hard to resist the urge to move my plants into cute pots right away. After a few failed repotting attempts, I learned to let them acclimate in their nursery pots for at least a month. Trust me: getting them settled first is worth the wait!
  7. Drainage is Your Best Friend: Once I forgot to check if a pot had drainage holes, and let’s just say my plant had an unfortunate wet sock experience. Now, I always ensure I have proper drainage. To avoid this mistake, I use a slightly larger decorative pot and place the nursery pot inside, keeping my plants dry and happy.
  8. Don’t Fear the Yellow: If a leaf turns yellow, it’s time to say goodbye. I used to hold onto those sad leaves, thinking they’d magically revive! Spoiler: they won’t. Now, I trim them off to help my plants focus their energy on growing new healthy leaves.
  9. Cacti and Succulents Aren’t Invincible: Despite their hardy reputation, they still need love. I practically neglected my succulents, assuming they were carefree. Turns out, they need watering too! Just in case my cacti start looking droopy again, I’ve set reminders on my phone.
  10. Mid-Year Check-In: After about six months, your plants might start to look a little sad, usually because they’ve used up the nutrients from store-bought soil. I had a moment of panic when I thought my plants were dying. A little fertilizer and some TLC, and they’re back in business!

With these tips, I hope your plant parenting journey is smoother than mine. Remember, it’s all part of the learning process, and don’t be too hard on yourself if you lose a plant or two. We’re all just trying to do our best and keep our leafy friends alive! Happy planting!