Watering

Plants communicate water needs through visible symptoms, but many signs overlap. Drooping can indicate both overwatering and underwatering. Yellow leaves result from both too much and too little water.

The key differentiator is soil moisture at the time of symptoms. Drooping with wet soil means root rot is likely — stop watering. Drooping with dry soil means the plant needs water immediately.

Crispy brown leaf edges usually indicate underwatering or low humidity. Soft, mushy stems always indicate overwatering. Learning to check soil before diagnosing prevents the most common correction mistake: watering an overwatered plant.

Municipal tap water contains chlorine and chloramine at levels most plants tolerate. But sensitive species — calatheas, carnivorous plants, and orchids — develop brown tips from fluoride and mineral accumulation.

Letting water sit overnight removes chlorine but not chloramine. For sensitive plants, filtered water, rainwater, or distilled water prevents mineral damage.

Hard water (above 200 ppm TDS) leaves white mineral deposits on soil and pot surfaces. If your water is hard, flush pots monthly with excess water to prevent salt buildup in the root zone.