What are symptoms of over watering a plant?

Question

Its actually a rather tropical looking plant placed in the ground. Some areas of the leaves are dry and brittle while others are turning a yellowish color.

Answer 1

When a plant is overwatered, the leaves turn yellow because it may not be able to produce sufficient chlorophyll. Too much water in the soil and limited oxygen can kill the root system.

Yellowing of the leaves can be caused not only by root damage due to poor drainage & overwatering, but also by drought, excess chemical fertilizers, disease, air pollution, sucking insects, either a nitrogen or iron deficiency, or too much shade. Eliminating these conditions would allow the leaves of your plants to turn green again.

Don't panic when only a few leaves turn yellow. It's not unusual for older leaves to turn yellow and fall off when new leaves appear, especially when plants are getting established. That's how the plant balances available light... getting rid of older leaves first when there is not enough "food" to support the entire plant.

Just make sure your plant has good drainage & consistent water (for the plant type), is getting enough light, has the correct nutrients, & isn't being depleated by insects.

Good luck! I hope I helped.

Answer 2

The dirt in the pot will be soggy and there may even be standing water in the saucer underneath it. The plant will start to wilt and die because it's drowning. I always put a few stones or soda caps between the pot & the saucer so there's room for excess water to drain.