If you ask our team at Wild HQ, giving plants too much water is the number 1 reason that beginner plant parents struggle. Fall and winter and particularly bad when it comes to overwatering. While we all want to shower our plants with love and affection, often when it comes to water, less is more. But how do you know if you've given your plant's too much water? There are a few telltale signs, here's what they are!

Overwatering Houseplants Can Cause Yellowing Leaves

Yellow leaves can be a bit of a tricky way to tell if your plants are overwatered, because honestly, leaves go yellow for no reason at all! BUT, if you're noticing yellow leaves, and any of the other symptoms, it's a pretty clear sign that your plants are overwatered. You might notice the leaves are both yellow and mushy, for example. 

Your Houseplants Will Wilt When They're Overwatered (Even When the Soil is Wet)

Wilting plants can be a sign of both overwatering and underwatering, but if the soil is moist and your plant is wilting, it's definitely a sign of overwatering. When your plants have too much water, the oxygen in the soil disappears and the cell walls of the root system start to soften. This makes it super easy for pathogens to enter the plant and cause disease. Think root rot. Wilting is a key sign that your plant is struggling. 

Your Houseplants Stems Will Get Mushy or Soft

This is the most telltale sign that your plant is overwatered. Honestly, by the time you notice squishy stems, it may be too late to recover your plant, but hey, at least you'll know for next time! Try gentle squeezing the base of your plant. If it feels a bit like jell-o, or is seeping water, it's a sign that your plant is waterlogged. You can try repotting the plant and hope for the best!

You'll Notice Fungus or Mold on Your Houseplant Soil

White or gray fuzzy material on the top of your plant's soil is often a sign of overwatering. Usually, moold and fungus can grow on houseplant soil because of the overly moist conditions. You might even notice fungus gnats starting to fly about your plants. This is because they thrive in overly moist soil. 

The Leaves Of Your Houseplant Will Drop

Your plant might shed leaves as a stress response. If you start to see more leaves dropping, and it's combined with another symptom on this list, it is likely due to overwatering. This is particularly common in plants with lots of leaves like a pothos or a fiddle leaf fig. Those plants with large leaves that spread from the base of the plant (like a peace lily) are more likely to rot and wilt rather than drop.