How Too Much or Too Little Water and Light Effects Your Plants

• May 15, 2022
• posted by: greenhaven
• comments: 0

Whether you’re a seasoned plant parent or a first-time planter, there are certain truths about plants you must know in order to have a successful and thriving indoor garden. 

While it may seem redundant, it’s never a bad idea to go back to basics and explore the 5 main components of cultivating house plants. Light, water, fertilizer, humidity, and soil. An issue with any of these components can lead to all kinds of issues with your plants. Let’s take a look at how too much or too little of one of two of these components – water and light– can affect your plants. 

How Too Much or Too Little Water and Light Effects Your Plants

The sun is necessary for sustaining life, especially plant life. But not all plants require the same amount of light in the same intensity. In order to have a successful in-home garden, it’s important to understand the needs of your plant. 

Light

The sun is necessary for sustaining life, especially plant life. But not all plants require the same amount of light in the same intensity. In order to have a successful in-home garden, it’s important to understand the needs of your plant. 
What happens when there’s too much light.
How your plants react to light depends on the particular needs of that plant. However, there are ways to tell if a plant is receiving too much or too little light. 

When a low-light plant (or any plant, for that matter) get’s more sun it needs, there are outward signs of distress (kind of like a sunburn). Yellowing or browed leaves that seem crispy on the ends can be a sign of too much light. Over time, continued light exposure can slow growth. The solution? Try moving your plant to a spot where it receives more indirect light.

What happens when there’s too little light.

Just like too much light is an issue, too little light can also affect your plants. Unfortunately, some of the signs of too little light overpack with those that indicate an excess. Plants that receive too little sunlight may also turn yellow. However, these plants are more likely to look wilted rather than scorched. Leaves may also drop. The solution to this is clear: move your plant to a better lit area with more direct sunlight. 

Water

When there’s too much water.
If your plant is getting too much water you may notice the soil is dark and may smell musty. Overwatered plants can quickly begin to suffer from root rot, which can compromise the entire plant. Your first step to fix these issues is to stop watering the plant to let the soil dry out. If you suspect root rot, gently remove your plant from its pot to inspect the roots. If the root system looks mushy and slimy, here is what you do:

Take a pair of pruning scissors and carefully cut away at the affected areas, preserving as much of the root system as possible. Replace your plant in a pot of fresh, dry soil that drains well. 

When there’s too little water.

In contrast, plants that are given too little water will often begin to look visibly dry. Leaves may curl in, and stems may appear sullen. For these dehydrated plants, the best course of action is to saturate the soil (ensuring the pot drains properly). 

Key to a successful indoor garden is well-draining potting soil. At Walrath we provide a number of soil mix options, including a mix specially designed for contain-grown plants. Visit one of our locations to pick up a bag today. We have locations is Gig Harbor, Tacoma, Lacey, and Everett. 
Got questions? Please feel free to contact our team today.