10 Ways You’re Overwatering Without Realizing It

This post may contain affiliate links.

Watering is like a love language for someone who loves greenery. Plants don’t always agree when we think the more the merrier. Even when it comes from good intentions, overwatering is one of the leading causes of plant problems. While you may be thinking that all these watering are good for your plants, overwatering can actually ‘drown’ the roots and lead to yellow leaves, root rot, and stunted growth.

Sometimes overwatering isn’t as clear as you’d think. You don’t have to dump gallons of water on your garden every day; often, small, overlooked things are what causes excess moisture. So, before your green thumb turns into a soggy one, let’s take a look at some ways you may be overwatering without even knowing it.

Watering on a Strict Schedule

It sounds sensible to water every day or according to a strict schedule, but plants don’t have clocks or calendars. The water needs they have depend on weather, the soil, and the stage that they are growing in. If it’s a rainy week or cooler weather they need less water but sticking to your schedule will inevitably result in overwatering.

Using Pots Without Drainage Holes

Traps for your plant roots are pots without drainage holes. With nothing to drain off the excess water, the roots sit in soggy soil. That’s a recipe for root rot and other fungal issues. When choosing pots, always check for drainage holes; if yours don’t have any, add some or replace them.

Over-Misting Indoor Plants

Tropical varieties of indoor plants often look quite happy with a little mist, but too much misting can cause water to pool on leaves and stems. Ultimately, this will attract mold and rodents. A light mist here and there is okay, but plants don’t need to get drenched.

Ignoring Soil Type

Not all soils are created equal in terms of how they hold water. For example, the water will stay longer on clay soil rather than on sandy. So if you are treating all your plants the same, you may end up overwatering those with soil that already holds a lot of moisture. You can use soil mixes to suit each plant’s particular needs.

Watering At the Wrong Time of Day

Watering in the evening might seem convenient, but it’s not: The water sits on the surface of the soil overnight. The high moisture period also serves to encourage fungal growth and disease. It’s usually best to water early in the morning, so plants have time to absorb what they need and any excess can evaporate in the warmth of the day.

Assuming Wilting Means Thirst

13 Best Budget-Friendly Renovations for a Kitchen — Photo Credit: Pixel-Shot/Pexels

Wilting doesn’t always mean the plant is thirsty, but seeing droopy leaves might encourage you to grab the watering can right away. According to, Nebraska Extensioin, plants will sometimes wilt due to heat stress, or even overwatering. Always check the soil first, if it’s wet, give the roots a break and wait.

Overwatering Lawns

One common victim of overwatering is lawns — usually because sprinklers are left running too long or too often. Most lawns only need about one inch of water a week, including rainfall, the EPA says. Excess water on your lawn weakens grass roots, allowing diseases and pests to run rampant.

Using Too Much Mulch

Brown Soil in Orange Plastic Bucket — Photo credit: Greta Hoffman/Pexels

Mulch is great for holding moisture, but too much mulch piled on can hold too much in the soil. It can cause root rot and other water related problems. Keep the mulch layer to a two to three inch layer to retain moisture without overdoing it.

Not Checking Plant Saucers

Photo Credit: Thanachatchon/Shutterstock

Plant saucers are a lifesaver for catching excess water, but can also be a problem if they are full. Saucers of water can wick back into the soil and keep it too wet too long. Please empty saucers as much as you water so that you won’t overwater unintentionally.

Relying Solely on Rainfall

In general, rain is good for your garden, but sometimes it’s not enough, and sometimes it’s too much. If you assume that rain will take care of all watering needs, plants can become waterlogged with storms. Use a rain gauge to check and see how much water your garden is getting and adjust your watering accordingly.

Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.