How To Avoid Overwatering Plants During The Rainy Season

In the Philippines, the rainy season brings cooler days and more moisture in the air. While that’s good for many plants, it also increases the risk of overwatering. And in turn, this becomes one of the most common causes of indoor plants dying. Here’s how you can tell if you’re overwatering plants and what to do about it.

Why during the rainy season?

Overwatering means giving plants more water than they can absorb, causing their roots to sit in too much moisture. This deprives said roots of oxygen, weakens them, and increases the risk of harmful fungal or bacterial growth.

During the rainy season, the weather is cooler, thus making the air more humid and the soil drying out slower than usual. However, many Filipinos continue to water their plants as often as they do in warmer weather. So they unknowingly drown their plants instead of helping them grow.

What should we look out for?

Signs of overwatering plants include:

• Yellow, soft, or mushy leaves
• Soil that stays wet for days
• Mold or white fungus on top of the soil
• A foul, pungent smell emanating from the pot
• Leaves falling off, even when they’re green

How do we avoid this?

Here are 5 simple ways to avoid overwatering plants:

1. Feel the soil.

Stick your finger about an inch deep in the soil. Don’t water yet if it’s moist.

2. Use pots with drainage holes.

These pots let extra water escape and keep roots from sitting in water.

3. Choose a well-draining soil mix.

You can add coco coir, sand, or perlite to help water flow better.

4. Water less often.

To reiterate, the rainy season means slower evaporation. Many plants only need water once a week or less.

5. Know your plant.

Some species, such as the snake plant, prefer dry soil and don’t need frequent watering.

READ: La Niña 2024: Housekeeping for the Rainy Season

Now that we’ve entered the rainy season, it’s easy to make the mistake of accidentally overwatering plants. But by giving just the right amount of care, you can help keep your indoor plants healthy and strong all year round.