Have you seen water droplets on your houseplant leaves? Find out what that means for your houseplants.
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Today’s video is inspired by a viewer from the channel The Spirit, who asked, “What does it mean when there are water droplets on the leaves?”
I had briefly answered this question in another video, but I thought it would be helpful to explore it further.
If you’ve ever noticed water droplets on your plant leaves that are not due to recent watering, you might see droplets forming at the edges of the leaves or even dripping from the tips. For example, this phenomenon often occurs with pothos plants. Although I don’t have a current example, I’ll show you a photo of what this looks like.
So, what is happening when you see these droplets? This process is known as guttation.
Guttation is not a bad thing. It occurs indoors on houseplants and is different from dew, which forms outdoors, typically in the morning. Guttation happens when the liquid is secreted through the plant’s pores, called stomata. I have a video explaining stomata, which are the breathing pores of plants. These pores are usually found on the underside of leaves, but some are on the top as well.
In guttation, the liquid is coming from inside the leaf, almost like the leaf is sweating. This process generally happens after watering when the plant is turgid with water. It often occurs at night or in the early morning when the air is humid and the soil is damp. Although roots absorb water throughout the day, they slow down at night. The excess water is then excreted through the leaves as guttation.
The droplets you see are actually xylem sap, which contains water, enzymes, minerals, and other chemicals. This is different from transpiration, which is the evaporation of water through plant pores during the day, like the plant exhaling moisture. Guttation occurs at night as a way for the plant to get rid of excess moisture it has absorbed.
If you see guttation on your plants, especially at night, it’s a natural process and doesn’t necessarily mean you’ve overwatered your plant. It’s usually an indicator of a healthy plant performing its normal functions.
However, if you have been over-fertilizing, the excess nutrients can build up on the leaf tips as white deposits, which can cause leaf burn. If you notice this, it might be time to reduce fertilizer use and leach the plant to wash away the salts and minerals that have accumulated in the soil.
Overall, guttation is a fascinating and natural process. Feel free to take a picture and impress others with your knowledge of this plant behavior.
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FAQ about Water Droplets on Plant Leaves
What does it mean when there are water droplets on plant leaves?
Water droplets on plant leaves can be a sign of guttation, a natural process where the plant releases excess moisture through its pores, known as stomata. This is different from dew and typically occurs at night or early in the morning.
How does guttation differ from dew?
Guttation occurs indoors when liquid is secreted from the inside of the plant through its pores, while dew forms outdoors due to condensation of moisture from the air, usually in the morning.
What is xylem sap?
Xylem sap is the liquid that appears as droplets on the leaves during guttation. It contains water, enzymes, minerals, and other chemicals released by the plant.
When does guttation typically occur?
Guttation often happens at night or early in the morning, especially after watering when the plant is turgid with water. It is a way for the plant to excrete excess moisture absorbed during the day.
Is guttation harmful to plants?
Generally, guttation is not harmful and indicates a healthy plant. However, if you notice white deposits on the leaf tips, it could be a sign of over-fertilization and salt buildup. Reducing fertilizer and leaching the plant may be necessary.
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