This article is based on an expert interview with Monique Capanelli, conducted by wikiHow Staff Editors. Monique Capanelli is a Plant Specialist and the Owner and Designer for Articulture Designs, an innovative design firm and boutique in Austin, Texas. With over 15 years of experience, Monique specializes in interior botanical design, living walls, event decor, and sustainable landscape design. She attended the University of Texas at Austin. Monique is a Certified Permaculture Designer. She provides plant and botanical design experiences, from small gifts to entire transformations, to shoppers as well as commercial clients including Whole Foods Market and The Four Seasons.
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From kitchen herb gardens to tropical houseplants, the number one mistake new plant owners make is overwatering. In this video, Plant Specialist Monique Capanelli explains how to analyze the other elements of plant care, from sunlight to soil, to ensure you’re only watering your plant when it’s necessary.
Key Takeaways
- Overwatering is one of the biggest mistakes beginner indoor gardeners make.
- Don’t assume a plant needs more water if it’s struggling. Consider the lighting and soil conditions as well.
- Let most indoor plants dry out somewhat in between waterings so they’re not sitting in water.
Video Transcript
I would say the number one mistake is over watering, and that is for whether you have succulents or herbs or tropical plants inside. Most people take a yellow leaf or a dropping of leaves or brown leaf as, “Oh, it needs more water.” My recommendation is to analyze other elements of problems as well, which means also look at the lighting conditions. Is there enough natural bright light in the room? Also, does it have enough nutrients? Is the soil it's been in maybe old and it's depleted? Remember soil for plants is really a big big thing for success and health and also preventing pest infestation. So over watering can cause a lot of problems like maybe gnats you might see flying around, or you might see molding on the top of your soil. Most plants are not going to want to sit in water. You want to make sure that they're watered well and then they dry out. Even if your frequency is high like a tropical plant inside, you still want to allow for that to dry out. I recommend a water meter, and these are cheap things that you can buy at any good garden store, and this is a little check for yourself to make sure that you're watering only when the plant needs it, not just because it's on the calendar watering day.
