For a string of pearls, overwatering is their greatest enemy. It’s a common problem for beginners and sometimes even experienced houseplant owners who don’t know how to properly water them. In this post, we’ll tell you how to save a string of pearls plant that has been overwatered. Let’s get started!
How To Save Overwatered String of Pearls Plant?
If you notice your string of pearls is overwatered, don’t panic. You can save the plant if you take action immediately! Here are the steps to take:
1) Remove the plant from its pot. Remove as much of the soil as you can without causing root damage – this is very important!
2) Place the plant on top of some newspapers or paper towels. Newspapers will absorb the excess moisture, making it easier to remove any standing water that remains in its pot.
3) Allow the plant to completely dry out before you repot it. If there is still standing water in its pot, just remove as much as you can and allow it to be absorbed by newspaper or paper towels until fully dried.
That’s it! If you follow these steps, your plant should recover from overwatering and be ready to grow again soon. You’ll find that String of Pearls is actually very easy to care for once you learn how to properly water them – just don’t overdo it!
How to Water String of Pearls to Avoid Overwatering?
When watering string of pearls, go for a soak and allow the soil to dry out in between each time so that it’s not sitting wet at all times.
If left sitting constantly wet, string pearls can develop root rot since they’re very susceptible to overwatering.
The trick is to water when the top inch or two inches of potting mix feels dry Don’t wait until everything is completely dried up because this could cause wilting from lack of water – but don’t keep it soaking either!
You can test the soil by sticking your finger deep into potting mix. If it feels damp at the bottom, you should hold off watering for another day or two to allow them to dry up more between each watering session. You can also invest in a moisture meter, which is a great way to test for how wet the soil is, and only water when it’s dry.
A good rule of thumb is every couple of days (or once per week). There are some exceptions when it comes to how often you water string pearls though depending on where in its natural environment they’re growing and in what season too – so that’s something else to consider!
What Does Overwatered String of Pearls Look Like?
If your string of pearls is overwatered, you’ll see the plant’s leaves taking on a droopy or flaccid appearance. If its soil remains constantly wet for days at a time, it could develop root rot and eventually die!
Root rot
This is the easiest way to know that you’ve given your plant too much water. However, it is usually too late at this point, so consider the following signs in the future.
Root rot involves the plant’s roots rotting away, leaving them black and mushy. This typically involves a strong smell which you can’t miss. If the plant has root rot, it is most likely dead already.
Leaf wilt
Wilting leaves are also a sign of overwatering! Overwatered string pearls will have droopier and less upright growth with pale green or yellowish leaves that become soft to the touch. The stems may appear mushy too in this case, so be careful when touching them if they do not snap easily in half – which would indicate healthy tissue is still present underneath your fingers!
Discolored leaves
Discolored leaves are the next sign to look out for. If you see brown, black, or purplish spots on your string of pearls’ otherwise green foliage, don’t panic – it’s just a sign that they’re not getting quite enough water! Follow the tips above to save your plant.
Edema (Oedema)
Edema, or oedema as it is also known, looks a lot like the discoloration mentioned in this section. It will look a bit different in that you’ll see bubbles between your pearls’ leaves and stems – but don’t worry! In short, this happens because too much water is being absorbed into its tissues!
Conclusion
In conclusion, water your string of pearls sparingly! If you’ve already given it too much water, repotting is the best way to save it. Cut off any mushy or rotting roots and make sure that there isn’t standing water in its pot before adding fresh soil back on top of what was once wet.
To avoid having to take any emergency steps in the future, make sure to create a watering schedule for your string of pearls. Doing this will ensure that you don’t give it too much water.
Don’t forget to repot your plant every couple of years or so, as this will allow you to see how healthy the roots are. You can also cut off any mushy roots when doing the repotting process in case you missed them beforehand – just be careful not to damage its leaves while removing decaying tissue from around their stems and roots.
Tim is an avid gardener from the UK. He was the founder of PlantCarer.com from 2021 to Sep 2023. He sold PlantCarer.com to Aaron. He has since started his own business called Seed To Supper, which provides new gardeners all the materials you need in a box (pots, seeds, compost and instructions) to grow your own delicious and nutritious vegetables and herbs from start to finish – no garden required.
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